Patent ID: 6528267
Filing Date: 2003-03-04
Classification: C12Q

Abstract:
A method for the detection, identification or quantitation of a target sequence, said method comprising:a) contacting a sample with a polymer of covalently linked subunits comprising: (i) a non-polynucleotide probing nucleobase sequence that is complementary or substantially complementary to the target sequence; (ii) a first arm segment and a second arm segment that are covalently linked to, or embedded within, the probing nucleobase sequence and wherein at least one of the first or second arm segments is covalently linked to the probing nucleobase sequence through a flexible linkage; (iii) at least one linked donor moiety and at least one linked acceptor moiety, wherein said donor and acceptor moieties are covalently linked to the polymer at positions that are separated by at least a portion of the probing nucleobase sequence; and b) detecting, identifying or quantitating the hybridization of the polymer to the target sequence, under suitable hybridization conditions, wherein the presence, absence or amount of target sequence present in the sample is correlated with a change in detectable signal associated with at least one donor or acceptor moiety of the polymer.