Enhancement of polynucleotide hybridization
AssigneeAmersham International plc
InventorTimothy Stone
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Hybridization buffers, for hybridizing complementary polynucleotides, contain polyvinyl alcohol (MW 1000-20000) and/or polystyrene sulphonic acid (e.g. MW 60000-80000) as a rate enhancer, generally at a concentration of 1-10%. Dextran sulphate, polyethylene glycol and cationic detergents may be additionally present. The method is useful when one of the two complementary polynucleotides is immobilised, or is in in situ hybridizations.
Claims14
The method of enhancing hybridization of complementary polynucleotides which method comprises providinq the complementary polynucleotides in a buffered aqueous medium under hybridization conditions, wherein the buffered aqueous medium contains polystyrene sulphonic acid free in solution and unattached to a nucleic acid probe or target nucleic acid, and said polystyrene sulphonic acid having a molecular weight of between about 1,000 and 1,000,000 daltons.
A hybridization buffer containing polystyrene sulphonic acid free in solution and unattached to a nucleic acid probe or target nucleic acid, said polystyrene sulfonic acid having a molecular weight of between about 1,000 and 1,000,000 daltons complementary polynucleotides.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.