Influence of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and DNA hybridization on the drying patterns of micro droplets

We have recently reported an original observation of how a specific molecular recognition between coated Polystyrene (PS) beads dispersed in solution and a solid surface can drastically change the process by which micro droplets of fluids dry. This observation simply relies on the analysis of the final dried residue on the surface, therefore involving minimal intervention by trained individuals and a minimum investment in sophisticated readout equipment. For instance, a smart phone CCD camera would suffice to provide the data required for the analysis. These recent results naturally open the possibility of developing an inexpensive point-of-care diagnostics method for diseases with a known genome recognition sequence – or a monoclonal antibody signature – using biomedical approaches at the molecular or sub-nanometric level. The present results constitute a model to study the feasibility and sensitivity of the exposed method for the characterization of a known SNP (single Nucleotide Polymorphism) in the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) gene (dbSNP ID: rs1050171) identified as an early biomarker for several cancers.