Research article

Bioelectronic DNA detection of human papillomaviruses using eSensor™: a model system for detection of multiple pathogens

Suzanne D Vernon¹ , Daniel H Farkas^2,3 , Elizabeth R Unger¹ , Vivian Chan^2,4 , Donna L Miller¹ , Yin-Peng Chen² , Gary F Blackburn² and William C Reeves¹

¹Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA

²Motorola Life Sciences, 757 South Raymond Avenue, Pasadena California 91105, USA

³Department of Pathology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77030, USA

⁴Department of Pathology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California 94305, USA

author email corresponding author email

BMC Infectious Diseases 2003, 3:12doi:10.1186/1471-2334-3-12

Published:	19 June 2003

Abstract

Background

We used human papillomaviruses (HPV) as a model system to evaluate the utility of a nucleic acid, hybridization-based bioelectronic DNA detection platform (eSensor™) in identifying multiple pathogens.

Methods

Two chips were spotted with capture probes consisting of DNA oligonucleotide sequences specific for HPV types. Electrically conductive signal probes were synthesized to be complementary to a distinct region of the amplified HPV target DNA. A portion of the HPV L1 region that was amplified by using consensus primers served as target DNA. The amplified target was mixed with a cocktail of signal probes and added to a cartridge containing a DNA chip to allow for hybridization with complementary capture probes.

Results

Two bioelectric chips were designed and successfully detected 86% of the HPV types contained in clinical samples.

Conclusions

This model system demonstrates the potential of the eSensor platform for rapid and integrated detection of multiple pathogens.