Patent ID: 6653079
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: C12Q,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for detecting the presence of a difference between two related nucleic acids said method comprising:a. forming a four-way complex comprising both of said nucleic acids in duplex form; b. subjecting said four-way complex to branch migration conditions wherein, if a difference between said two related nucleic acid is present, branch migration in said four-way complex ceases and said four-way complex is stabilized, and wherein, if no difference between said two related nucleic acid is present, branch migration in said four-way complex continues until complete strand exchange occurs and said four-way complex resolves into two duplex nucleic acids, c. subjecting said stabilized complex or its resolved duplex nucleic acids after branch migration to conditions allowing the specific binding of a first reagent that selectively recognizes a four-way complex, wherein the binding of said reagent to said four-way complex produces a detectable signal; and d. detecting the signal produced upon the specific binding of said first reagent to said four-way complex as indicative of the presence of said four-way complex, the signal thereof being related to the presence of said difference between said nucleic acid sequences and the failure to detect said signal thereof being related to the lack of difference between said nucleic acid sequences.