An assay system is provided of great sensitivity and portability where the presence of a specific target in a sample, as well as its concentration (qualification and quantification) is detected by reason of a potential or voltage in a closed circuit, built up a redox reaction. The reaction is produced by binding a capture moiety to an enzymatic redox reaction partner, allowing the capture moiety to bind to any target in the sample, and washing any such bound target. The bound target, if not immobilized, may be immobilized through use of a second capture moiety. Substrate for the enzyme is then added. The action of the enzyme upon the substrate frees electrons, creating a potential across an anode and cathode which may be separated by a membrane.

An assay system is provided of great sensitivity and portability where the presence of a specific target in a sample, as well as its concentration (qualification and quantification) is detected by reason of a potential or voltage in a closed circuit, built up a redox reaction. The reaction is produced by binding a capture moiety to an enzymatic redox reaction partner, allowing the capture moiety to bind to any target in the sample, and washing any such bound target. The bound target, if not immobilized, may be immobilized through use of a second capture moiety. Substrate for the enzyme is then added. The action of the enzyme upon the substrate frees electrons, creating a potential across an anode and cathode which may be separated by a membrane.

This document provides methods and materials for detecting genetic and/or epigenetic elements. For example, methods and materials for detecting the presence or absence of target nucleic acid containing a genetic or epigenetic element, methods and materials for detecting the amount of target nucleic acid containing a genetic or epigenetic element within a sample, kits for detecting the presence or absence of target nucleic acid containing a genetic or epigenetic element, kits for detecting the amount of target nucleic acid containing a genetic or epigenetic element present within a sample, and methods for making such kits are provided.

This document provides methods and materials for detecting genetic and/or epigenetic elements. For example, methods and materials for detecting the presence or absence of target nucleic acid containing a genetic or epigenetic element, methods and materials for detecting the amount of target nucleic acid containing a genetic or epigenetic element within a sample, kits for detecting the presence or absence of target nucleic acid containing a genetic or epigenetic element, kits for detecting the amount of target nucleic acid containing a genetic or epigenetic element present within a sample, and methods for making such kits are provided.

Provided herein are methods of detecting target analytes, such as nucleic acids, for example microRNAs using an enhanced Tyramide Signal Amplification (TSA) method that employs probes tagged with tyramide-binding groups to amplify the effects of the TSA. The accessibility of the tyramide-binding groups, such as hydroxyphenyl groups, provides for large improvements in signal due to faster reaction with the radicals. The present invention further includes the application of the assay for detecting specific microRNAs.

Provided herein are methods of detecting target analytes, such as nucleic acids, for example microRNAs using an enhanced Tyramide Signal Amplification (TSA) method that employs probes tagged with tyramide-binding groups to amplify the effects of the TSA. The accessibility of the tyramide-binding groups, such as hydroxyphenyl groups, provides for large improvements in signal due to faster reaction with the radicals. The present invention further includes the application of the assay for detecting specific microRNAs.

Methods for imaging an analyte in a sample include contacting the biological sample with a binding agent, where the binding agent includes a binding moiety that binds to the analyte and a first nucleotide sequence, contacting the biological sample with a catalytic agent, where the catalytic agent includes a second nucleotide sequence linked to an enzyme, and where the second nucleotide sequence hybridizes to the first nucleotide sequence, contacting the biological sample with a localization agent, where the localization agent includes a substrate complementary to the enzyme and a third nucleotide sequence linked to the substrate, and contacting the biological sample with a labeling agent, where the labeling agent includes a fourth nucleotide sequence linked to an optical label, where the fourth nucleotide sequence hybridizes to the third nucleotide sequence.

Methods for imaging an analyte in a sample include contacting the biological sample with a binding agent, where the binding agent includes a binding moiety that binds to the analyte and a first nucleotide sequence, contacting the biological sample with a catalytic agent, where the catalytic agent includes a second nucleotide sequence linked to an enzyme, and where the second nucleotide sequence hybridizes to the first nucleotide sequence, contacting the biological sample with a localization agent, where the localization agent includes a substrate complementary to the enzyme and a third nucleotide sequence linked to the substrate, and contacting the biological sample with a labeling agent, where the labeling agent includes a fourth nucleotide sequence linked to an optical label, where the fourth nucleotide sequence hybridizes to the third nucleotide sequence.

This document provides methods and materials for detecting target nucleic acid. For example, methods and materials for detecting the presence or absence of target nucleic acid, methods and materials for detecting the amount of target nucleic acid present within a sample, kits for detecting the presence or absence of target nucleic acid, kits for detecting the amount of target nucleic acid present within a sample, and methods for making such kits are provided.

This document provides methods and materials for detecting target nucleic acid. For example, methods and materials for detecting the presence or absence of target nucleic acid, methods and materials for detecting the amount of target nucleic acid present within a sample, kits for detecting the presence or absence of target nucleic acid, kits for detecting the amount of target nucleic acid present within a sample, and methods for making such kits are provided.