The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 23, 1999
Filed:
Jan. 24, 1995
Jannis G Stavrianopoulos, New York, NY (US);
Enzo Diagnostics, Inc., Farmingdale, NY (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides a method for detecting the presence of a target polynucleotide in a sample. The method comprises the steps of (a) contacting the sample under hybridizing conditions with (i) a single-stranded polynucleotide probe capable of hybridizing to the target polynucleotide and comprising a polynucleotide and at least one intercalating molecule attached to a nucleotide of the polynucleotide by means of a linker arm, and (ii) a background-reducing reagent which chemically modifies the intercalating molecule when the probe to which it is attached is single-stranded; and (b) detecting a property change resulting from the intercalation of the intercalating molecule into a target-probe hybrid, thereby detecting the target polynucleotide. The intercalating molecule which is part of the polynucleotide probe induces a change in a property, in either the probe, the target polynucleotide or a target-probe hybrid. The property change can be detected, for example, by means of a generated signal which can be identified or quantified. The present invention can be employed in a heterogeneous (two step or two phase) assay using a support to immobilize the target or probe, and a washing step, and in a homogeneous (one step or one phase) assay using a hybridization solution. Also provided are a composition and a nucleic acid hybridization kit useful for detecting the presence of a target polynucleotide in a sample.