Diagnostic assays and kits for RNA using RNA binary probes and a ribozyme ligase

US5652107A · kind A · utility

Assignee

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

Inventors

• Paul M. Lizardi · San Antonio, US
• Sanjay Tyagi · New York, US
• Ulf Landegren · Uppsala, SE
• Fred R. Kramer · Yonkers, US
• Jack W. Szostak · Boston, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 15, 1996
• Grant date: Jul 29, 1997
• Expiry date: Jul 15, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12Q1/6862
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

There are provided nucleic acid hybridization assays for RNA targets using RNA binary probes and a ribozyme ligase that is a stringent RNA-directed RNA ligase. Preferred assays include exponential amplification for signal generation. Tetrahymena ribozyme ligase is a preferred ligase for use in this invention. It may be tethered to hold it close to the ligation junction. One assay according to this invention is a "tethered ligase chain reaction." Also provided are kits for performing assays according to the invention.