ABSTRACT
The specific detection of DNA and the ability to detect single-base mismatches in DNA is an important, challenging topic in DNA bioelectronics. In the different systems described in sections IV and V, specificity was accomplished by tailoring the probe nucleic acid. The probe nucleic acid sequence usually includes the minimal number of complementary bases to the target DNA to form a single double-stranded helical structure. Thus the respective mutants are unable to form a complementary doublestranded assembly. Consequently, the substantially different thermodynamic stability of a double-stranded helical structure compared with the hydrogen-bonded base pairs enables the selective differentiation of the target DNA. The detection of a single-base mismatch in the target DNA is, however, more complex. The effect of temperature on the hybridization and melting of double-stranded DNA systems and more complex biocatalytic transformations were employed to detect single-base mismatches in DNA.
