PROTECTION PROBES

摘要

The present invention features compositions and methods that are useful for storing labeled detection probes and detecting whether a target nucleic acid sequence is present in a sample. Preferred compositions are made up of a detection probe containing a label susceptible to a chemical or enzymatic alteration and a protection probe that protects the label from alteration and/or decreases the ability of the detection probe to inhibit nucleic acid amplification. Such compositions can be used, for example, to stabilize a detection probe label and to prevent a detection probe from hybridizing prematurely to amplified or target nucleic acid.