Patent ID: 6037127
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: C12Q,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for detecting the presence of a non-denatured nucleic acid analyte in a buffered test sample, said test sample consisting of suitable amounts of a blocking agent, and non-ionic detergent, said method comprising the steps of:(i) contacting the test sample with a first end of a test strip comprising a chromatographic material capable of moving the test sample laterally from the first end to a second end of the test strip by capillary migration and at least one single stranded capture nucleic acid molecule irreversibly affixed to the test strip at a specific capture zone, the capture nucleic acid being complementary to a portion of the nucleic acid analyte;(ii) incubating the test strip and test sample of step (i) for at least 5 minutes, whereby the test sample is allowed to traverse at least a portion of the test strip whereby the nucleic acid analyte is captured by hybridization to the capture nucleic acid in the capture zone;(iii) contacting the first end of the test strip with a suitable amount of wash buffer whereby unreacted nucleic acid analyte is removed from the capture zone;(iv) contacting the test strip with a signal-generating substance such that the signal-generating substance reacts with a reporter conjugate that is located either within the nucleic acid analyte or bound to the nucleic acid analyte to produce a detectable signal at the capture zone; and(v) comparing the detectable signal at the capture zone with a signal detectable at a portion of the test strip other than at the capture zone.