Patent ID: 7585632

Claim:
A method for the detection of a target nucleic acid, said method comprising: a. subjecting a reaction mixture to conditions which permit nucleic acid polymerization and cleavage of a cleavage structure, wherein said reaction mixture comprises: a first oligonucleotide, a second oligonucleotide comprising a 5′ region and a 3′ region, wherein said 3′ region is complementary to the first oligonucleotide, a target nucleic acid, a nucleic acid polymerase, and a 5′ nuclease; b. forming a cleavage structure comprising said second oligonucleotide in duplex with an extension product of said first oligonucleotide, wherein said 5′ region of said second oligonucleotide is non-complementary to said extension product and is cleaved by said 5′ nuclease; and c. detecting cleavage of said cleavage structure, wherein detecting cleavage of said cleavage structure is indicative of the presence and/or amount of the target nucleic acid.