Patent ID: 6100029
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: C12Q

Abstract:
A method for detecting a fetal chromosomal abnormality, comprising the steps of:a) introducing a first nucleic acid probe to a sample, wherein said first probe is capable of hybridizing to at least a portion of a target wildtype fetal chromosomal region in the sample;b) introducing a second nucleic acid probe to the sample, wherein said second probe is capable of hybridizing to at least a portion of a reference wildtype fetal chromosomal region;c) washing said sample to remove unhybridized first and second probes;d) determining a number X of said first probe molecules that is hybridized to said first wildtype fetal chromosome or portion thereof;e) determining a number Y of said second probe molecules that is hybridized to said second wildtype fetal chromosome or portion thereof;f) determining whether a difference exists between number X and number Y, the presence of a statistically-significant difference being indicative of a fetal chromosomal abnormality.