Patent ID: 6461871
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: C07H,C12Q,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for preparing a hybridization probe for use in a hybridization assay with a target nucleic acid,(a) obtaining a test matrix comprising a plurality of species of oligodeoxyribonucleic acids or nucleic acid analog probes which each comprise a sequence recognizing portion (SID) and a reporting group portion (RG), and a matrix support, wherein said oligodeoxyribonucleic acids or nucleic acid analogues are fixedly attached to the matrix support at defined locations and are sufficiently complementary to different portions of the target nucleic acid to permit hybridization therewith, and wherein the RG portions of the probes are selected to produce a first detectable signal when unhybridized to a nucleic acid and a second detectable signal distinguishable from the first detectable signal when hybridized to a nucleic acid; (b) determining a background signal corresponding to the first detectable signal for each defined location; (c) contacting the test matrix with a sample of the target nucleic acid and then detecting a subsequent signal from each defined location, said subsequent signal being the second detectable signal if hybridization has occurred and the first detectable signal if hybridization has not occurred; (d) comparing the first signal to the subsequent signal; (e) rating the hybridization probes at each defined location in order of the difference between the first signal and the subsequent signal, wherein higher ratings are assigned to hybridization probes for which the-difference between the first signal and the subsequent signal are larger; and (f) selecting a probe with a high rating relative to other probes tested and preparing copies of this selected probe for use in hybridization assays.