System for detection of nucleic acids

1 . A device to facilitate detection of a nucleic acid analyte in a sample, comprising:

an optical element structured as a hologram and including a probe that is a peptide nucleic acid and that selectively binds a nucleic acid analyte, the hologram having an optical characteristic that changes visibly when the nucleic acid analyte binds the probe.

2 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a frame that holds the optical element and that defines a compartment adjacent the optical element, wherein the compartment includes reagents for amplification of the nucleic acid analyte.

3 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the frame defines an input site for receiving a sample to test for the nucleic acid analyte, and wherein the input site is separated from the optical element by a valve that can be dissolved by the sample.

4 . The device of 2 , wherein the frame is a strip configured to serve as a handle for manipulation by hand.

5 . A device to facilitate detection of a nucleic acid analyte in a sample, comprising:

an optical element having a patterned variation in local optical character and including an analog probe that selectively binds a nucleic acid analyte, the analog probe having an analog backbone that is substantially less charged than a corresponding phosphodiester backbone,

wherein the optical element has an optical characteristic created by the patterned variation in local optical character, and

wherein the optical characteristic changes when the nucleic acid analyte binds the analog probe.

6 . The device of claim 5 , wherein the patterned variation includes cyclical changes in the local optical character of the optical element along a line through the optical element.

7 . The device of claim 5 , wherein the local optical character is a refractive index of regions within the optical element.

8 . The device of claim 5 , wherein the optical element includes a photographic emulsion exposed to light disposed in an interference pattern and then chemically processed, and wherein the patterned variation corresponds to the interference pattern.

9 . The device of claim 8 , wherein the patterned variation is produced by local variations in size, number, and/or chemical structure of grains including silver in the photographic emulsion after chemical processing.

10 . The device of claim 5 , wherein the analog backbone corresponds to a peptide backbone.

11 . The device of claim 5 , wherein the optical element is a gel.

12 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the gel at least substantially includes gelatin.

13 . The device of claim 5 , wherein the optical characteristic changes visibly when the nucleic acid analyte binds the analog probe.

14 . The device of claim 13 , wherein the optical element changes color when the nucleic acid analyte binds the analog probe.

15 . The device of claim 5 , further comprising a frame that holds the optical element and that defines a compartment adjacent the optical element, wherein the compartment includes reagents for amplification of the nucleic acid analyte.

16 . The device of claim 15 , wherein the frame defines an input site for receiving a sample, and wherein the input site is separated from the optical element by a valve that can be dissolved by the sample.

17 . The device of 15 , wherein the frame is a strip configured to serve as a handle for manipulation by hand.

18 . A method of detection of a nucleic acid analyte in a sample, comprising:

contacting the device of claim 5 with a nucleic acid analyte in a sample such that the nucleic acid analyte, if present, alters the optical characteristic; and

detecting a change, if any, in the optical characteristic produced by the step of contacting, thereby providing information about presence, absence, and/or amount of the nucleic acid analyte in the sample.

19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising a step of copying the nucleic acid analyte such that the nucleic acid analyte is amplified.

20 . The method of claim 18 , wherein a barrier separates the sample from the optical element before the step of contacting, and wherein the step of contacting includes a step of breaching the barrier with the sample.