Universal Multi-Variant Detection System

A kit for the detection of a target nucleic acid molecule in a sample, wherein the target nucleic acid molecule is known to have variant sequences, comprising:

• (i) a set of nose-to-nose primers comprising a forward primer and a reverse primer, each comprising a sequence of nucleotides and wherein the forward and reverse primers are characterized in that a nucleotide at the 3′ end of the reverse primer hybridizes with:
• (i) a nucleotide at the 5′ end of a forward primer extension product or;
• (ii) a nucleotide separated from the nucleotide at the 5′ end of the forward primer extension product by a gap;
• and a nucleotide at the 3′ end of the forward primer hybridizes with:
• (i) a nucleotide at the 5′ end of a reverse primer extension product or;
• (ii) a nucleotide separated from the nucleotide at the 5′ end of the reverse primer extension product by the gap;
• (ii) reagents for performing a primer extension chain reaction and;
• (iii) a self-altering signal-generating probe which detects the presence of primer amplification products, wherein the probe comprises a first nucleic acid sequence attached to a reporter moiety capable of generating a detectable signal;
• a second nucleic acid sequence attached to an interactive moiety capable of altering the signal of the reporter moiety;
• and a probe sequence which connects the first and second nucleic acid sequences.