Theoretical limitations on sensing selectivity in nucleic acid microarrays

Abstract

Microarray analysis has become increasingly complex due to the growing size of arrays. In this work we explore the effects that temperature and SNP, mismatch, concentration have on the dynamic range of detection in a two component system. A finite element software is used to simulate the mass transport of DNA through a microfluidic chamber to the sensing surface where hybridization of DNA is modeled using the corresponding kinetic equation. We compare the theoretical maximum dynamic range with those from simulations when the match target is 90% of its equilibrium value. Results show that even though the maximum dyamic range decreases as temperature increases the observed dynamic range at 90% match equilibrium grows.