DNA-Mediated Homogeneous Binding Assays for Nucleic Acids and Proteins

Advancements in DNA-mediated homogenous binding assays for nucleic acids and proteins are discussed. Homogeneous assays are attractive because conducting an assay in a single tube reduces time and minimizes contamination-prone steps. Homogeneous binding assays requires accomplishing both target recognition and signal transduction in the solution. Structures of nucleic acids are predictable, making it useful to design nucleic acid probes that change structures upon binding to the target. This binding-induced conformational change, resulting in signal transduction, is represented in molecular beacons and aptamer beacons. Nucleic acids are amplifiable, giving rise to a variety of amplification techniques for highly sensitive detection. Simultaneous detection of multiple targets using homogeneous binding assays requires minimum or no cross-reaction between the multiple affinity ligands and the various targets when the multiple affinity ligands are present in the same test solution.