The present invention relates to a novel method for analyzing nucleic acid
sequences based on real-time detection of DNA polymerase-catalyzed
incorporation of each of the four nucleotide bases, supplied individually
and serially in a microfluidic system, to a reaction cell containing a
template system comprising a DNA fragment of unknown sequence and an
oligonucleotide primer. Incorporation of a nucleotide base into the
template system can be detected by any of a variety of methods including
but not limited to fluorescence and chemiluminescence detection.
Alternatively, microcalorimetic detection of the heat generated by the
incorporation of a nucleotide into the extending template system using
thermopile, thermistor and refractive index measurements can be used to
detect extension reactions.
