The use of (oligonucleotide-maleic anhydride copolymer) conjugates in nucleic acid diagnostic assays: effect of the number of oligonucleotides per polymer on test sensitivity improvement.

(Polymer-oligonucleotide) conjugates were obtained via direct ON synthesis from the poly(ethylene-alt-maleic anhydride: PEMA) grafted onto glass bead surfaces. The effect of the ON number per polymer chain on binding was evaluated through Tm experiments. Results were correlated with ELOSA (Enzyme Linked Oligosorbent Assay) tests run with conjugates in the capture step.