Patent ID: 6994971
Filing Date: 2006-02-07
Classification: C12Q,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for separating a nucleic acid containing both a first nucleotide sequence type and a second nucleotide sequence type from a sample also comprising nucleic acids not containing both the first nucleotide sequence type and the second nucleotide sequence type, said method comprising: (a) coupling a first hybridization probe configured for hybridizing to the first nucleotide sequence type to a magnetically responsive first bead via a first pair of complexing agents to form a first probe-bead complex, and coupling a second hybridization probe configured for hybridizing to the second nucleotide sequence type to a magnetically non-responsive second bead, which is distinguishable from the first bead by size, charge, color, or attachability to a solid support, via a second pair of complexing agents to form a second probe-bead complex; (b) mixing the first probe-bead complex and the second probe-bead complex with the sample to form a mixture under conditions such that the first hybridization probe hybridizes to the first nucleotide sequence type and the second hybridization probe hybridizes to the second nucleotide sequence type; (c) separating the first probe-bead complex and nucleic acids hybridized to the first hybridization probe portion thereof from the first mixture by applying magnetic force to the mixture and then washing the isolated first probe-bead complex and nucleic acids hybridized to the first hybridization probe portion thereof, thereby obtaining a fraction comprising the first nucleotide sequence type; (d) separating the second probe-bead complex and nucleic acids hybridized to the second hybridization probe portion thereof from the fraction comprising the first nucleotide sequence type according to the properties of the distinguishable feature of the second bead and then washing to remove nucleic acids not hybridized to the second hybridization probe, thereby separating the nucleic acid containing both the first nucleotide sequence type and the second nucleotide sequence type from nucleic acids not containing both the first nucleotide sequence type and the second nucleotide sequence type.