Analytical Sciences

Homogeneous DNA-detection Based on the Non-enzymatic Reactions Promoted by Target DNA

Toshihiro IHARA*^,** and Motoko MUKAE*

*Department of Applied Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kumamoto University, 2-39-1 Kurokami, Kumamoto 860-8555, Japan
**PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan

Much effort has focused on methods for detecting various genetic differences in individuals, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). SNP can be characterized as a substitution, insertion, or deletion at a single base position on a DNA strand. There is expected to be on average one SNP for every 1000 bases of the human genome, and some variations located in genes are suspected to alter both the protein structure and the expression level. Therefore, highly sensitive techniques with a simple procedure would be desirable for a high-throughput screening of millions of SNPs widely dispersed throughout the human genome. In this short review, we consider recently reported unique techniques for genotyping in a homogeneous solution, and organize them in terms of the chemical and physical processes accelerated on DNA.

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