Patent ID: 6335164
Filing Date: 2002-01-01
Classification: C12N,C12Q

Abstract:
A method for improving specificity of homologous pairing or strand exchange or a combination of homologous pairing and strand exchange between a double-stranded target nucleic acid sequence and a homologous nucleic acid probe by using a RecA-like recombinase, comprising the steps of:(a) providing at least one recombinase, at least one homologous probe, and at least one heterologous probe, wherein the probes are bound to the recombinase, and (b) mixing the recombinase-bound homologous probe and the recombinase-bound heterologous probe with the double-stranded nucleic acid target sequence in a sample, wherein the weight ratio of the homologous probe to the heterologous probe is about 1:5 to about 1:500, wherein the combination of recombinase-bound heterologous probe and recombinase-bound homologous probe improves the specificity of the homologous pairing or strand exchange or combination of homologous pairing and strand exchange relative to a method wherein recombinase-bound homologous probe is used alone.