Methods, kits and compositions pertaining to detection complexes

An array of two or more different complexes wherein at least two complexes of the array each comprise;

• a) at least one component probing polymer wherein the probing polymer comprises:
• 1) a probing segment that is complementary or substantially complementary to a unique target sequence;
• and 2) one or more interacting groups suitable for the formation of a complex with at least one other component polymer that is not the target sequence;
• b) at least one component annealing polymer that is not the target sequence and that, at a minimum, comprises one or more interacting groups wherein the interacting groups of the component polymers form and stabilize the complex;
• and
• c) at least one set of donor and acceptor moieties wherein to at least two of the component polymers is linked at least one moiety from the set such that formation of the complex facilitates transfer of energy between donor and acceptor moieties of the set;
• provided however, that at least one of the component polymers of the complex is a non-nucleic acid polymer and at least one of the component polymers of each different complex is immobilized or tethered to the surface of the array.

A method for determining the presence, absence or quantity of a target molecule, comprising at least one target sequence, in a sample;

• said method comprising:
• a) contacting the sample with at least one complex, said complex comprising:
• (i) at least one component probing polymer wherein the probing polymer comprises:
• 1) a probing segment that hybridizes to said target sequence;
• and 2) one or more interacting groups suitable for the formation of a complex with at least one other component polymer that is not the target sequence;
• (ii) at least one component annealing polymer that is not the target sequence and that, at a minimum, comprises one or more interacting groups wherein the interaction of the interacting groups of the component polymers form and stabilize the complex;
• and
• (iii) at least one set of donor and acceptor moieties wherein to each of at least two component polymers is linked at least one moiety from the set such that formation of the complex facilitates transfer of energy between donor and acceptor moieties of the set in a manner that is detectably different as compared to when the component polymers are not complexed or when the probing segment is hybridized to the target sequence;
• provided however, that at least one of the component polymers of the complex is a non-nucleic acid polymer;
• and
• b) detecting, identifying or quantitating changes in detectable signal attributable to the changes in the transfer of energy between the donor and acceptor moieties of a set upon dissociation of the complex or upon the hybridization of the probing segment to the target sequence and correlating the change in detectable signal with the presence, absence or quantity of the target molecule in the sample.

A method for the formation of a complex, said method comprising mixing together two or more component polymers under conditions that facilitate complex formation, wherein the complex comprises:

• a) at least one component probing polymer wherein the probing polymer comprises:
• 1) a probing segment that is complementary or substantially complementary to a target sequence;
• and 2) one or more interacting groups suitable for the formation of a complex with at least one other component polymer that is not the target sequence;
• b) at least one component annealing polymer that is not the target sequence and that, at a minimum, comprises one or more interacting groups wherein the interaction of the interacting groups of the component polymers form and stabilize the complex;
• and
• c) at least one set of donor and acceptor moieties wherein to each of at least two component polymers is linked at least one moiety from the set such that formation of the complex facilitates transfer of energy between donor and acceptor moieties of the set in a manner that is detectably different as compared to when the component polymers are not complexed or when the probing segment is hybridized to the target sequence;
• provided however, that at least one component polymer of the complex is a non-nucleic acid polymer.

A kit comprising two or more component polymers suitable for the formation of at least one complex, said kit comprising;

• a) at least one component probing polymer wherein the probing polymer comprises:
• 1) a probing segment that is complementary or substantially complementary to a target sequence;
• and 2) one or more interacting groups suitable for the formation of a complex with at least one other component polymer that is not the target sequence;
• b) at least one component annealing polymer that is not the target sequence and that, at a minimum, comprises one or more interacting groups wherein the interacting groups of the component polymers form and stabilize the complex;
• and
• c) at least one set of donor and acceptor moieties wherein to each of at least two component polymers is linked at least one moiety from the set such that formation of the complex facilitates transfer of energy between donor and acceptor moieties of the set in a manner that is detectably different as compared to when the component polymers are not complexed or when the probing segment is hybridized to the target sequence;
• provided however, that at least one component polymers of the complex is a non-nucleic acid polymer.