Use of Up-Converting Phosphor Reporters in Lateral-Flow Assays to Detect Specific Nucleic Acid Sequences: A Rapid, Sensitive DNA Test to

Background: A lateral-flow (LF) device using the new reporter up-converting phosphor technology (UPTTM) was applied to DNA (hybridization) assays for the detection of specific nucleic acid sequences, thereby aiming to perform the test outside well-equipped labo-ratories. The methodology reported here is sensitive and provides a rapid alternative for more elaborate gel electrophoresis and Southern blotting. In a preliminary study, it was applied to screen for the presence of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) in a defined series of cervical carcinomas. Methods: A LF assay was used to capture haptenized DNA molecules and hybrids, which were immunola-beled (before LF) with 400-nm UPT particles. These particles emit visible light after excitation with infrare