Patent ID: 6972173

Claim:
A method comprising: a) obtaining nucleotides covalently linked to gold or silver, or gold and silver, nanoparticle(s), wherein the nucleotide and nanoparticle are linked via a terminal highly reactive cross-linking group selected from the group consisting of epoxide groups, azido groups, triazine groups, arylazido groups, and diazo groups; b) synthesizing a nucleic acid comprising the labeled nucleotides; c) immobilizing the nucleic acid of b) on a solid substrate; d) sequentially releasing nucleotides from one end of the nucleic acid; e) separating the released nucleotides from the immobilized nucleic acid by transferring the nucleotides through a microfluidic channel; f) identifying nucleotides by Raman spectroscopy; and g) determining the sequence of the nucleic acid.