Patent ID: 6329152
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: C12Q

Abstract:
A process for detecting the presence of a target mRNA in an intact cell comprising:a. permeabilizing the cell in the presence of a plurality of different oligonucleotide probes, wherein each probe (i) contains about 15 to about 30 nucleotides, (ii) is labeled with a detectable maker, (iii) has a matched Tm of greater than about 60.degree. C., and (iv) specifically hybridizes to a different contiguous region of an open reading frame in the target mRNA with the provisos that each probes does not hybridize to itself, does not hybridize to any other probe and does not hybridize to a contiguous sequence of (A).sub.n9 (C).sub.n9 (G).sub.n or (U).sub.n in the target mRNA where n is an integer greater than 5 to increase the detection signal of a target mRNA in an intact cell;b. removing unhybridized probes from the cell; andc. measuring the detectable label in the cell.