Chemical promotion of nucleic acid hybridization
AssigneeBecton, Dickinson and Company
InventorsCharles Robert Petrie, III, Lisa Marie Rutledge, Jerold Randall Morgan
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Abstract
An improved method is described for increasing the rate and specificity of hybridization of target polynucleotide sequences with complementary probes. The method uses amphipathic hydrocarbon polymers (AHP), exemplified by polyvinyl sulfonic acid or polystyrene sulfonic acid, to effect the improved hybridization characteristics. The method may be used in solution phase, solid phase, or in situ hybridization formats.
Claims8
A method for conducting a nucleic acid hybridization assay in a hybridization medium containing complementary nucleic acid sequences, comprising:
- adding polystyrene sulfonic acid to the hybridization medium in an amount to lower non-specific hybridization by at least 15%;
- and
- detecting the presence of hybridized nucleic acid.
A method for improved hybridization assays of complementary polynucleotides comprising contacting a target polynucleotide and a complementary polynucleotide in a hybridization medium, which hybridization medium contains polystyrene sulfonic acid in an amount sufficient to lower non-specific hybridization by at least 15%.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.