METHOD FOR SELECTIVE DETECTION OF A TARGET NUCLEIC ACID

摘要

The present invention pertains to methods and means for detecting the presence within a given environment of one or more target nucleic acid sequences while preventing or reducing interference from related nucleic acid species. In a primary aspect the invention provides a method for detecting the presence or absence of at least one target nucleic acid sequence in a sample that further contains a nucleic acid molecule comprising a sequence corresponding to the target nucleic acid sequence, the method comprising the step of contacting the sample with at least one nucleic acid probe that is capable of selectively binding to a continuum of at least a part of the nucleic acid molecule corresponding to the target nucleic acid sequence and a part of the nucleic acid molecule adjacent to said corresponding sequence. The invention may in particular be used in the detection of pathogenic organisms or as part of procedures for bioremediation of environmental contamination or pollution. Other aspects of the invention provides compositions and kits-of-parts to be used in the invention.