What characterizes solid-support hybridization?

Solid-support hybridization is characterized primarily by its occurrence in a two-phase environment. In this context, the term "solid-support" refers to the substrate, such as a membrane or a slide, that immobilizes the probes, while the samples, which could be nucleic acids, may be in a liquid phase. This setup allows for effective hybridization as the liquid-phase sample can diffuse and interact with the solid-phase probes, facilitating the formation of stable hybrid molecules.

The defining feature of this method is its reliance on the interaction between the dissolved nucleic acid in solution and the immobilized probes on the solid support. This two-phase environment is essential for achieving optimal sensitivity and specificity in various molecular diagnostics applications. It contrasts with methods that might rely solely on samples and probes being in liquid form, which would not leverage the advantages of a solid support in enhancing the detection of hybridization events.