Patent ID: 7745119

Claim:
A method comprising the steps of: (a) producing a mixture comprising (i) a sample that may or may not contain a target polynucleotide having a target nucleic acid sequence, (ii) a nucleic acid analog that is complementary to the target nucleic acid sequence and (iii) a cyanine dye, wherein some of the cyanine dye forms a complex with the nucleic acid analog and a target polynucleotide, if present in the sample; (b) exposing the mixture to a light stimulus, wherein the light stimulus catalyzes a reaction that causes a decrease in the amount of the cyanine dye in the mixture; and (c) correlating the rate of change in an optical property of the mixture to the light stimulus during the period of time subsequent to formation of the complex, wherein the rate of change in the optical property of the mixture caused by the light stimulus is indicative of the presence or amount of the target polynucleotide in the sample.