CPC C12Q 1/6874 (2013.01) [B01L 3/502761 (2013.01); B01L 7/52 (2013.01); B01L 2200/0663 (2013.01); B01L 2300/044 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0654 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0672 (2013.01); B01L 2300/18 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0439 (2013.01); C12Q 1/6806 (2013.01); C12Q 1/6818 (2013.01)] | 11 Claims |
1. A method of determining the length of an analyte strand, comprising:
(a) incubating a magnetically labeled oligonucleotide strand, the analyte strand, and one of a series of oligonucleotide ruler strands to form a mixture,
wherein the magnetically labeled oligonucleotide strand is complementary in sequence to the analyte strand,
wherein the series of oligonucleotide ruler strands are complementary in sequence to the magnetically labeled oligonucleotide strand and comprise different lengths, and
wherein either the analyte strand or the oligonucleotide ruler strands are labeled with at least one label;
(b) transferring the mixture to a surface functionalized to couple with the at least one label;
(c) applying a mechanical force to the mixture; and
(d) inspecting the surface for immobilized particles,
wherein if the analyte strand is labeled, then the longest oligonucleotide ruler strand producing immobilized particles on the surface represents the length of the analyte strand, and
wherein if the oligonucleotide ruler strands are labeled, then the longest oligonucleotide ruler strand not producing immobilized particles represents the length of the analyte strand; and
(e) wherein a different oligonucleotide ruler strand is used to repeat steps (a)-(d) until the length of the analyte strand is determined.
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