Patent ID: 7148010
Filing Date: 2006-12-12
Classification: C12Q,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of evidencing the presence of a polynucleotide sequence A in a sample containing a plurality of identical or different polynucleotide sequences X in the form of individual strands, where said polynucleotide sequence A may be identical to one of the polynucleotide sequences X or contained in one of the polynucleotide sequences X in the form of a sequence portion, by determining the binding status of the polynucleotide sequences X contained in the sample from a known test polynucleotide sequence B, which is complementary to the polynucleotide sequence A, said method comprising steps of: a) preparing a test medium which contains, in the form of individual strands, test polynucleotide sequences B which are complementary to the polynucleotide sequence A to be evidenced; b) bringing the sample into contact with said test medium by introducing the sample into, or applying it on, said test medium, so as to allow the individual strands of the polynucleotide sequences X contained in the sample to bind to the complementary test polynucleotide sequences B contained in said test medium; c) for evidencing the binding of polynucleotide sequences X to test polynucleotide sequences B, checking whether, in the frequency range from between 0.1 terahertz (THz) and 20 THz, contacting the sample with the test medium in accordance with step b) has caused a change to occur in at least one component of the complex index of refraction or an equivalent variable of the sample that is correlated with the formation of double-stranded polynucleotide sequences from the single-stranded polynucleotide sequences X and the single-stranded complementary test polynucleotide sequences B contained in said test medium.