Oscillating signal amplifier for nucleic acid detection

摘要

The present invention provides several methods employing nucleic acid repair enzymes. The present invention provides a method for detecting point mutations in nucleic acid sequences. The present invention further provides a method for detecting non-mutated or wild-type nucleic acid sequences. The present invention also enhances target polynucleotide detection using an oscillation reaction and tail labeling techniques, as well as by linking the nucleic acid repair enzyme to a probe molecule. The present invention also provides helix destabilizing molecule and similar molecules to enhance the hybridization of the probe to the target polynucleotides. This invention further provides for the use of thermally stable nucleic acid repair enzymes which will facilitate reactions at elevated temperatures. This invention also provides a method for determining the repair index for a mismatched or damaged oligonucleotide probe. Finally, this invention renders a method for effecting in vitro mutagenesis of a target polynucleotide.