Patent ID: 8367323

Claim:
A method of analysing a sample to determine the presence or otherwise therein of a target polynucleotide sequence, the method comprising the steps of (a) treating the sample under hybridising conditions with (i) a first polynucleotide probe labelled with a first exciplex partner moiety able on photoirradiation to form an exciplex with a second exciplex partner moiety, and (ii) a second polynucleotide probe labelled with the second exciplex partner moiety, said first and second probes being adapted to bind to mutually exclusive regions of said target sequence such that said moieties are able to form said exciplex which is detectably different from the first and second moieties, (b) effecting photoirradiation to cause exciplex formation, and (c) detecting for formation of the exciplex to determine the presence or otherwise of the target polynucleotide sequence wherein the sample when irradiated contains an organic solvent selected from 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, ethylene glycol or ethylene glycol dimethyl ether.