Optical characterization of nucleic acids and oligonucleotides

摘要

A method for the enzymatic sequencing of DNA is disclosed which uses dideoxythio-nucleotides or dideoxyamino-nucleotides as terminators that are labeled with one or two fluorescent dyes coupled to the terminators either before or after polymerization. The dye labeled DNA fragments are separated in a single lane of a separation system and then the terminal bases of each of the fragments are identified by measuring the fluorescent lifetime of the dye attached to the terminators.