DNA mismatch detection by metal ion enhanced impedance analysis

Conventional diagnoses of genetic mutation and disease depend on the analysis of DNA sequences. However, mismatches in the DNA sequences are difficult to detect using tradi- tional sequencing. Doping metal ions, such as nickel, into the short DNA (28 mer ~ 30 mer), markedly reduces its electrical resistance, which is measured by electrical impedance analysis. The change in resistance that is caused by a mismatched base-pair in short DNA can also be monitored by this approach. In this study, the resistance increased exponentially with the number of mismatched base-pairs. Accordingly, an intuitive and direct method for evaluating the number of DNA mismatches can possibly be developed.