主权项 |
1. A detection primer for initiating a nucleic acid amplification or extension reaction, comprising a primer coupled to a detection mechanism, wherein the detection mechanism comprises: a first nucleic acid sequence; a second nucleic acid sequence complementary to at least a portion of the first nucleic acid sequence,
wherein the complementary sequence is between 3 and 10 base pairs in length, and wherein melting temperature of the complementary sequence is designed to be between 5° C. and 15° C. above reaction temperature; a non-nucleic acid, inert linker connecting the first and second nucleic acid sequences, wherein the linker length is between 3 and 9 nucleic acid base equivalents; and a signaling element comprising one or more of a single signaling molecule, a pair of signaling molecules, a signaling molecule and a quenching molecule or other signaling mechanisms, wherein the signaling element is attached to at least one of the first or second nucleic acid sequences, wherein a signal from the signaling element detectably changes when the first and second nucleic acid sequences are not hybridized to one another. |