A method is disclosed for detecting an amplification of nucleic acids in which use is essentially made of the fact that a predefined nucleic acid chain (target sequence) can be multiplied/amplified in the presence of a target-sequence-specific activator oligonucleotide. The target-sequence-specific activator oligonucleotide brings about the separation of de-novo synthesized complementary primer elongation products by means of strand displacement, so that a new primer oligonucleotide can attach to the respective strand of the template. The complex thus formed, of a primer oligonucleotide and a template strand, can initiate a new primer elongation reaction. The primer elongation products thus formed, in turn, act again as templates, the result being an exponentially proceeding amplification reaction. In the method, a selective amplification is effected in that, for the first, second primer and activator oligonucleotide, variants are used which differ from the target sequence by at least one nucleotide.

A method is disclosed for detecting an amplification of nucleic acids in which use is essentially made of the fact that a predefined nucleic acid chain (target sequence) can be multiplied/amplified in the presence of a target-sequence-specific activator oligonucleotide. The target-sequence-specific activator oligonucleotide brings about the separation of de-novo synthesized complementary primer elongation products by means of strand displacement, so that a new primer oligonucleotide can attach to the respective strand of the template. The complex thus formed, of a primer oligonucleotide and a template strand, can initiate a new primer elongation reaction. The primer elongation products thus formed, in turn, act again as templates, the result being an exponentially proceeding amplification reaction. In the method, a selective amplification is effected in that, for the first, second primer and activator oligonucleotide, variants are used which differ from the target sequence by at least one nucleotide.

Provided are methods and devices for single-molecule genomic analysis. In one embodiment, the methods entail processing a double-stranded nucleic acid and characterizing said nucleic acid. These methods are useful in, e.g. determining structural variations and copy number variations between individuals.

Provided are methods and devices for single-molecule genomic analysis. In one embodiment, the methods entail processing a double-stranded nucleic acid and characterizing said nucleic acid. These methods are useful in, e.g. determining structural variations and copy number variations between individuals.

Methods and compositions for the detection and quantification of nucleic acids are provided. In certain embodiments, methods involve the use of cleavable probes that comprise a ribonucleotide position that is susceptible to endoribonuclease (e.g., RNase H) cleavage in the presence of target nucleic acid molecules. Probes of the embodiments may also comprise non-natural nucleotide linked to a reporter and/or quenching moiety.

Methods and compositions for the detection and quantification of nucleic acids are provided. In certain embodiments, methods involve the use of cleavable probes that comprise a ribonucleotide position that is susceptible to endoribonuclease (e.g., RNase H) cleavage in the presence of target nucleic acid molecules. Probes of the embodiments may also comprise non-natural nucleotide linked to a reporter and/or quenching moiety.

A method of sample analysis is provided. In certain embodiments, the method involves: a) amplifying a product from a sample that comprises both wild type copies of a genomic locus and mutant copies of the genomic locus that have a point mutation relative to said wild type copies of the genomic locus, to produce an amplified sample, where: i. the amplifying is done using a first primer and a second primer; and ii. the first primer comprises a 3′ terminal nucleotide that base pairs with the point mutation and also comprises a nucleotide sequence that is fully complementary to a sequence in the locus with the exception of a single base mismatch within 6 bases of the 3′ terminal nucleotide; and b) detecting the presence of said product in said amplified sample using a flap assay that employs an invasive oligonucleotide. A kit for performing the method is also provided.

A method of sample analysis is provided. In certain embodiments, the method involves: a) amplifying a product from a sample that comprises both wild type copies of a genomic locus and mutant copies of the genomic locus that have a point mutation relative to said wild type copies of the genomic locus, to produce an amplified sample, where: i. the amplifying is done using a first primer and a second primer; and ii. the first primer comprises a 3′ terminal nucleotide that base pairs with the point mutation and also comprises a nucleotide sequence that is fully complementary to a sequence in the locus with the exception of a single base mismatch within 6 bases of the 3′ terminal nucleotide; and b) detecting the presence of said product in said amplified sample using a flap assay that employs an invasive oligonucleotide. A kit for performing the method is also provided.

A method for detecting a methylated genomic locus is provided. In certain embodiments, the method comprises: a) treating a nucleic acid sample that contains both unmethylated and methylated copies of a genomic locus with an agent that modifies cytosine to uracil to produce a treated nucleic acid; b) amplifying a product from the treated nucleic acid using a first primer and a second primer, wherein the first primer hybridizes to a site in the locus that contain methylcytosines and the amplifying preferentially amplifies the methylated copies of the genomic locus, to produce an amplified sample; and c) detecting the presence of amplified methylated copies of the genomic locus in the amplified sample using a flap assay that employs an invasive oligonucleotide having a 3 terminal G or C nucleotide that corresponds to a site of methylation in the genomic locus.

A method for detecting a methylated genomic locus is provided. In certain embodiments, the method comprises: a) treating a nucleic acid sample that contains both unmethylated and methylated copies of a genomic locus with an agent that modifies cytosine to uracil to produce a treated nucleic acid; b) amplifying a product from the treated nucleic acid using a first primer and a second primer, wherein the first primer hybridizes to a site in the locus that contain methylcytosines and the amplifying preferentially amplifies the methylated copies of the genomic locus, to produce an amplified sample; and c) detecting the presence of amplified methylated copies of the genomic locus in the amplified sample using a flap assay that employs an invasive oligonucleotide having a 3 terminal G or C nucleotide that corresponds to a site of methylation in the genomic locus.