Assays and kits incorporating nucleic acid probes containing improved molecular switch

US5312728A · kind A · utility

Assignees

• The Public Health Research Institute Of the City of New York, Inc. · US
• Salk Institute for Biological Studies · US

Inventors

• Paul M. Lizardi · San Antonio, US
• Fred R. Kramer · Yonkers, US
• Sanjay Tyagi · New York, US
• Cesar E. Guerra · Guilford, US
• Hilda M. L. Buyoli · General Cepeda, MX
• Barbara C. Chu · Del Mar, US
• Gerald F. Joyce · Encinitas, US
• Leslie E. Orgel · Village of La Jolla, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 4, 1992
• Grant date: May 17, 1994
• Expiry date: May 4, 2012

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T436/143333
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A probe for the detection of a nucleic acid target sequence containing a molecular switch comprising three essential elements: a probe sequence of 20-60 nucleotides surrounded by switch sequences of 10-40 nucleotides which are complementary to each other, wherein the state of the switch is useful for selectively generating a detectable signal if the probe is hybridized to a target; also, assays and kits utilizing such probes.