Patent ID: 6346384
Filing Date: 2002-02-12
Classification: C12Q,G01N

Abstract:
A method for detecting the presence of a target polynucleotide in a sample comprising:(A) providing a reaction and detection mixture comprising in combination: (1) a sample; (2) a nucleic acid amplification system; and (3) a chemiluminescent detection system comprising a sensitizer capable of indirectly binding to the target polynucleotide and capable of generating singlet oxygen upon irradiation with light and a singlet-oxygen activatable chemiluminescent compound capable of indirectly binding to the amplified target nucleic acid; (B) amplifying said target polynucleotide through at least one amplification cycle; (C) allowing the indirect binding of said chemiluminescent compound and said sensitizer to said amplified target polynucleotide; (D) activating the sensitizer, wherein said activation of the sensitizer bound to the target polynucleotide causes the activation of said chemiluminescent compound bound to the target polynucleotide; (E) determining the amount of luminescence generated by the activated chemiluminescent compound; (F) optionally repeating steps B-E; and (G) detecting the presence of said target polynucleotide by analyzing the amount of luminescence determined after at least one amplification cycle.