Patent ID: 6403317
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: C12Q,G01N

Abstract:
A method of detecting locations on a nucleic acid probe array at which hybridization occurs between targets in a fluid sample and nucleic acid probes attached to a surface of the nucleic acid probe array, comprising:measuring the temperature at a plurality of locations on the surface of the nucleic acid probe array; applying energy to the surface of the nucleic acid probe array, thereby causing the temperature at the surface of the nucleic acid probe array to increase; and detecting a decrease in the rate of temperature change at least one of the plurality of locations, where hybridization has occurred, compared to the rate of temperature change at another of the plurality of locations, where hybridization has not occurred, on the nucleic acid probe array, said decrease being due to an increased heat capacity caused by hybridization between at least one target in the fluid sample and at least one nucleic acid probe disposed on a surface of the nucleic acid probe array at said at least one hybridization location.