Method and means for annealing complementary nucleic acid molecules at an accelerated rate

Patent 4787963 Issued on November 29, 1988. Estimated Expiration Date:

May 4, 2007. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Inventor

MacConnell, William P.

Assignee

Syntro Corporation

Application

No. 07/046652 filed on 05/04/1987

US Classes:

204/450, Electrophoresis or electro-osmosis processes and electrolyte compositions therefor when not provided for elsewhere204/600, Electrophoretic or electro-osmotic apparatus435/287.2, Measuring or testing for antibody or nucleic acid, or measuring or testing using antibody or nucleic acid435/6Involving nucleic acid

Examiners

Primary: Niebling, John F.
Assistant: Starsiak, John S. Jr.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Schwalbach; Joseph C.

International Class

C12Q 1/68 (20060101)

Abstract

Method and means for accelerating the rate of hybridization of nucleic acid probes with complemental target sequences in probe assays of the filter binding or sandwich filter binding formats. The nucleic acid probes are electrophoretically concentrated at membrane means including at least a dialysis type membrane and to which the target sequences are bound. The rate of hybridization can be further enhanced by means for moving concentrated unannealed probe molecules successively in various directions along the surface of the membrane means to which the target sequences are bound. The invention further includes method and means for electrophoretically removing from the membrane means unannealed probe molecules which became adsorbed to the membrane means during hybridization. In one embodiment of the invention the membrane means comprises a cellulose dialysis membrane in laminate relation with a nitrocellulose or nylon filter having target sequence molecules bound to the surface thereof facing the dialysis membrane. In another embodiment of the invention the membrane means comprises a dialysis membrane to one side of which the target sequence molecules are bound.

Other References

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