A high-sensitivity electrochemiluminescence-based detection system for automated PCR product quantitation.

ABSTRACT

A high-sensitivity nonisotopic system has been developed for post-PCR product detection. The probe-based detection system exploits a chemiluminescent reaction that takes place on the electrode surface in an electrochemical cell. The detection system incorporates a biotin-streptavidin capture reaction onto a solid support that permits fast post-PCR product detection at the attomole level. The system precision is within 5% relative standard deviation over a linear dynamic range of greater than three orders of magnitude. In this paper, the principles and features of the electrochemiluminescent-based detection system, together with its application to PCR product quantitation, are described in detail.