Nanoscale-controlled spacing provides DNA microarrays with the SNP discrimination efficiency in solution phase.

We have prepared solid substrates modified with a cone-shaped dendron that generates mesospacing (3.2 nm on average) on the surface. This nanoscale-controlled surface provided an ideal DNA microarray in which each probe DNA strand was given ample space for the incoming target DNA, resulting in selectivity as high as that in solution (100: < 1). In addition, high hybridization yield confirms that DNA probes on the mesospaced surface are sterically unhindered for the hybridization.