Patent ID: 6103476
Filing Date: 2000-08-15
Classification: C12Q

Abstract:
An oligonucleotide probe that emits a fluorescent signal if contacted with a target sequence under detection conditions of an assay comprisinga first arm segment labeled with at least one fluorophore,a second arm segment labeled with at least one quencher, anda target complement sequence complementary to said target sequence, said target complement sequence being intermediate to and joining said first and second arm segments, having a length of not more than 60 nucleotides and forming with said target sequence under said detection conditions a double-stranded hybrid having a first strength;said first and second arm sequences having sufficient complementarity to one another to form under said detection conditions a double-stranded stem hybrid having a second strength less than said first strength, whereby in the absence of said target sequence fluorescence of said at least one fluorophore is quenched, rendering said probe dark when said at least one fluorophore is stimulated; andsaid first and second hybrid strengths being selected such that said probe fluoresces when said at least one fluorophore is stimulated under detection conditions in the presence said target sequence.