A novel platform technology for the detection of genetic variations by surface plasmon resonance

We report on a novel approach to identify genetic variations based on the detection of specific polymerase-chain-reaction products by surface plasmon resonance. We use a recently developed, home-made spectrometer which exploits chips with integrated optics and microfluidics. The gold film at the chip surface is locally functionalized with single-stranded, thiol-modified probe DNA by applying a nanoliter dispenser. We discuss the chemical conditions for the achievement of maximum SPR signal strength and spot array density, and evaluate the SPR detection of selective binding of a set of 17 PCR products.