Patent ID: 8313638

Claim:
A method for the electrochemical detection of target nucleic acid sequences, said method comprising: providing a biological sample that may contain at least one nucleic acid, said nucleic acid being capable of containing a given target sequence, said biological sample being mixed with an oxidizing agent and activatable amplification composition, said activatable amplification composition comprising at least one nucleotide base that can be oxidized by said oxidizing agent; providing complementary composition capable of selectively coupling with said given target sequence; applying an electric field to said sample, said electric field being capable of causing a reaction of said oxidizing agent with said at least one nucleotide base, and an electric current which passes through said sample is measured; wherein said activatable amplification composition is suitable for replicating said target sequence, said activatable amplification composition comprising at least nucleotides which include said at least one nucleotide base, wherein said nucleotides are able to be consumed during replication so as to constitute replicated nucleic acids; and in that it comprises, in order, the following steps: a) mixing said biological sample and said oxidizing agent with said activatable amplification composition and said complementary composition; b) activating said activatable amplification composition in a plurality of cycles to consume at least a portion of the at least one nucleotide base if the target sequence is contained in the biological sample; c) applying said electric field to oxidize an unconsumed portion of the at least one nucleotide base; and d) determining the presence of said given target sequence based on a decrease in the electric current decreases after the plurality of cycles of activation of said activatable amplification composition.