Multimodal methods for simultaneous detection and quantification of multiple nucleic acids in a sample

Abstract

Described herein are approaches for the detection, identification, and/or quantification of target nucleic acids, including, but not limited to partially, substantially randomly, degraded target nucleic acids, in a biological sample, such as a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) sample. These approaches provide a means of detecting, identifying, and/or quantifying target nucleic acid molecules, including DNA and RNA molecules, further including RNAs of different classes, from the same sample, and in the same reaction, by using 'expander oligonucleotides,' as the term is defined herein, to convert fragments of target nucleic acids into discretely sized DNA fragments, each with a chosen length characteristic for the target nucleic acid from which it is derived.