DNAProbes

Abstract Hybridization of nucleic acid probes has been a key technique used in the exploration of the molecular biology of the cell. Use of this technique is now expanding into the field of clinical diagnostics for the detection of pathogens and genetic disorders. In a hybridization assay, a labeled nucleic acid probe of a particular sequence is used to detect the presence of a target nucleic acid sequence. The fundamental principals that guide the design of the nucleic acids hybridization probes and assays are reviewed in this article. New improvements that simplify the implementation of these assays and enhance their sensitivity are discussed. Coupling of hybridization with amplification of nucleic acids in vitro, which results in extremely sensitive detection of specific nucleic acids, are also described.