Cooperative primers, probes, and applications thereof

A cooperative nucleic acid molecule comprising:

• a. a first nucleic acid sequence, wherein the first nucleic acid sequence is complementary to a first region of a target nucleic acid, and wherein the first nucleic acid sequence is extendable on the 3′ end;
• b. a second nucleic acid sequence, wherein the second nucleic acid sequence is complementary to a second region of the target nucleic acid, such that in the presence of the target nucleic acid it hybridizes to the target nucleic acid downstream from the 3′ end of the first nucleic acid sequence;
• c. a linker connecting said first and second nucleic acid sequences, the linker configured to allow both the said first nucleic acid sequence and the said second nucleic acid sequences to hybridize to the target at the same time, wherein the linker comprises at least one non-nucleic acid chemical group.