DNA chip with electronically accelerated processes

In recent years DNA chips are in the focus of research activities in the field of molecular biology. Their principle is based on hybridization, the specific recognition between complementer single-stranded DNA segments. In this paper the preparation of a substrate for DNA chip purposes is described. The substrate material is glass with a thin film Au microelectrode array, which is covered with an insulating layer. A flow injection electrochemical cell with a volume of 250 /spl mu/l has been fabricated, where the working electrodes (w) are Au surfaces with 300 /spl mu/m diameter, the counter electrode (c) is a Pt wire and the reference electrode (r) is an Ag/AgCl wire. The wires are in a symmetrical arrangement. The flow injection chamber can be from the Au covered substrate dismounted. The working substrates are connected to the potentiostat through a standard 1.27mm connector. In case of this DNA chip the electrical acceleration of hybridization and readout can be demonstrated.