Abstract
Microarray analysis has become increasingly complex due to the growing size of arrays and the inherent cross-binding of targets. In this work, we explore the effects of matched and mismatched target species concentrations, temperature, and the time of hybridization on sensing specificity in two-component systems. A finite element software is used to simulate the diffusion of DNA through a microfluidic chamber to the sensing surface where hybridization of DNA is modeled using the corresponding kinetic equation. Comparison between a single-component system, where only one target is allowed to bind to a specific zone, and a two-component system, where more than one target can hybridize in a sensing zone, uncovers significant kinetic disparities during the transitory state; however, at thermodynamic equilibrium a modified Langmuir isotherm governs the bound amount of both species. The results presented suggest that it may be more appropriate to consider collective rather than quasi-independent interaction of targets in multicomponent systems.