Patent ID: 7186508
Filing Date: 2007-03-06
Classification: C12Q,G01N

Abstract:
1. A dipstick assay method for testing for the presence of a target nucleic acid in a sample solution, wherein the method comprises: contacting the sample solution with a dipstick to cause sample solution to move by capillary action to a capture zone of the dipstick thereby allowing target nucleic acid in the sample solution to be captured and detected at the capture zone; wherein: a) a capture probe capable of hybridizing to the target nucleic acid is used to capture target nucleic acid at the capture zone, and hybridization of the capture probe to the target nucleic acid is enhanced by a helper probe that hybridizes to a different region of the target nucleic acid than the capture probe, or b) a detection probe capable of hybridizing to the target nucleic acid is used to detect target nucleic acid at the capture zone, and hybridization of the detection probe to the target nucleic is enhanced by a helper probe that hybridizes to a different region of the target nucleic acid than the detection probe.