Fluorescent Bead–DNA Conjugate‐based Dual Signal Amplification Technology

One of the major challenges in DNA microarrays for their widespread application is assay sensitivity. Therefore, to achieve higher sensitivity, we developed a dual signal amplification technology based on the fluorescence beads (FB). It is the first report of the development of a dual signal amplification technology for DNA microarrays by synthesizing and applying the FB–DNA conjugates. The FB–DNA conjugates and Cy5-T1-FB-mixed-DNA demonstrated ~250–325-fold increase in sensitivity when compared with the conventional use of Cy5-labeled oligonucleotides such as Cy5-T1. Furthermore, the Cy5-T1-FB-mixed-DNA demonstrated ~5–1.3-fold increase in the sensitivity when compared with that of the FB–DNA conjugates alone.