A NEW APPROACH FOR CREATING DOUBLE-STRANDED DNA BIOSENSORS

The principle of 'sandwich'-type biosensors based on liquid-crystallin e dispersions formed from [DNA-polycation] complexes is outlined. Thes e biosensors will find application in the determination of a range of compounds and physical factors that affect the ability of a given poly cationic molecule to maintain intermolecular crosslinks between neighb ouring DNA molecules. In the case of liquid-crystalline dispersions fo rmed from [DNA-protamine] complexes the lowest concentration of hydrol ytic enzyme (trypsin) detectable was approximate to-10(-14) M. (C) 199 6 Elsevier Science Limited.