Dark quenchers for donor-acceptor energy transfer

摘要

The present invention provides a family of dark quenchers, termed Black Hole Quenchers (“BHQs”), that are efficient quenchers of excited state energy but which are themselves substantially non-fluorescent. Also provided are methods of using the BHQs, probes incorporating the BHQs and methods of using the probes.

主权项

1. A nucleic acid having linked thereto:
a quencher of excited state energy having a structure comprising at least three residues selected from substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, and combinations thereof, wherein at least two of said residues are covalently linked via an exocyclic diazo bond; and a minor groove binder.