Microfluidic DNA Stretching Device for Single-Molecule Diagnostics.

The method described here enables the automatic stretching and patterning of single DNA molecules onto a solid surface. It does not require chemical modification of the DNA or surface modification of the substrate. To detect a signal variation caused by sequence-specific dye binding or partial melting, it is crucial that the DNA molecules are arrayed in a parallel direction inside the narrow microscopic field. The method uses zigzag-shaped microgrooves in a densely-arranged molecular patterning apparatus in a microfluidic channel. By syringing through the microchannel, over 1500 DNA molecules can be arrayed simultaneously in the microgrooves. It will therefore serve as a template preparation for DNA molecular diagnosis by high-resolution imaging.