Patent ID: 8323888

Claim:
A method for detecting nucleic acids comprising: a) contacting a sample comprising a target nucleic acid with a substrate having a first type of oligonucleotides attached thereto, the first type of oligonucleotides comprising a sequence complementary to a first portion of the sequence of the target nucleic acid to form a target nucleic acid bound to said substrate by one or more of said first type of oligonucleotides; b) contacting the target nucleic acid bound to the substrate with a first type of nanoparticles having a second type of oligonucleotides attached thereto, the second type of oligonucleotides having a sequence complementary to a second portion of the sequence of the target nucleic acid, thereby forming a nanoparticle-oligonucleotide conjugate bound to the substrate; and c) observing detectable changes in optical properties or optoelectronic properties on the substrate resulting from the presence of the oligonucleotide conjugate; said method optionally comprising enhancing said detectable change by deposition of metal on said nanoparticle prior to said detecting; wherein said second type of oligonucleotide is bound to said nanoparticle by a disulfide containing functionality; and wherein said oligonucleotides attached to said substrate are attached to the substrate in an array.