Fluorescence polarization detection of nucleic acids

Abstract From the Canadian patent

The present invention provides methods for detecting amplified oro unamplified nucleic acid target sequences at increased temperatures by changes in fluorescence polarization. The decrease in fluorescence polarization associated with hybridization of oligonucleotides at higher, more stringent, temperatures is overcome by including a double-stranded DNA binding protein in the assay. At elevated temperatures the double-stranded DNA binding protein restores, and often enhances, the magnitude of the change in fluorescence polarization associated with single- to double-stranded conversion of an oligonucleotide probe or primer.