Hybridization assay and means to be used in the assay

摘要

PCT No. PCT/SE87/00474 Sec. 371 Date Jun. 16, 1988 Sec. 102(e) Date Jun. 16, 1988 PCT Filed Oct. 16, 1987 PCT Pub. No. WO88/02784 PCT Pub. Date Apr. 21, 1988.A method for the detection of a nucleotide sequence of a nucleic acid in a sample. The method comprises the steps: (i) contacting under hybridization condition the single stranded form of the nucleotide sequence with a single stranded nucleic acid probe, in which plurality of rare earth metal chelate groups is covalently linked via a water-soluble polymer of non-nucleic acid structure to a nucleotide acid that as one of its strand has the nucleotide sequence to be detected and as the other strand the nucleotide sequence of the probe, and (ii) detecting the formation of double stranded nucleic acid. The plurality of rare earth metal chelate groups have at least one metal ion selected from the group consisting of Eu3+, Sm3+, Tb3+ and Dy3+ as the chelated rare earth metal. The probes as given above are also claimed.