Polynucleotide assay reagent and method

摘要

A diagnostic reagent and system for determination of a single-stranded polynucleotide analyte having a selected target sequence. The reagent includes a solid support and multiple support-bound polymers designed to bind specifically to the analyte. Each polymer is composed of a sequence of base-complementary recognition moieties which can bind specifically to corresponding contiguous bases in the analyte target sequence, and an unbranched, substantially uncharged, substantially stereoregular backbone. A reporter in the system contains (a) a polycationic tail effective to bind electrostatically to the analyte, under conditions in which the reporter does not bind to the substantially uncharged polymers, and (b) reporter groups by which the presence of the reporter can be detected.