Optimal sensitivity in molecular recognition

Molecular recognition of DNA sequences is classically achieved by DNA hybri dization of complementary sequences. In the context of mismatch detection, a sequence discrimination sensitivity is defined. Classical denatured DNA p robes are compared to molecular beacons (DNA probes with a stem-loop struct ure). Molecular beacons are shown to optimize the sequence discrimination s ensitivity, by a proper design of the stem length and content. This paper d iscusses the issue of experimental signal-to-noise in genetic sequence dete ction, and gives a quantitative analysis and optimization of single-mismatc h detection sensitivity.