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Abstract

The invention provides methods for highly-specific detection of hybridization of single stranded nucleic acids. The invention also provides methods for target identification which rely on this highly-specific hybridization detection. Targets suitable for detection include, but are not limited to, nucleic acid biomarkers. The methods of the invention can employ an on-chip, DNA polymerase-dependent labeling scheme termed primer extension (PEX) to couple biotinylated deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate (dNTP) molecules to nucleic acid hybrids bound to a solid substrate, allowing for subsequent recognition by biotin-binding-protein-labeled photoinitiators. Surface-initiated polymerization from these surface bound photoinitiators can lead to the formation of macroscale amounts of polymeric material, thereby amplifying the signal from the initial molecular recognition event.

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First Claim