Chemical promotion of nucleic acid hybridization

摘要

An improved method is described for increasing the rate and specificity of hybridization of target polynucleotide sequences with complementary probes. The method uses amphipathic hydrocarbon polymers (AHP), exemplified by polyvinyl sulfonic acid or polystyrene sulfonic acid, to effect the improved hybridization characteristics. The method may be used in solution phase, solid phase, or in situ hybridization formats.