Abstract: The invention is related to improved nucleic acid reagents comprising arrays of nucleic acid fragments and combinations of such fragments. The preparation of such fragments by recombinant DNA techniques and their use in sandwich hybridization methods is also described. By making different combinations of the nucleic acid fragments--some labeled and some affixed to solid carriers, it is possible to create kits for the identification of e.g. veneral diseases.The improved nucleic acid reagents comprise two series of at least two alternating nucleic acid fragments, which are homologous to sequences in the nucleic acid to be identified, one of the series being labeled and one affixed to a solid carrier. Nucleic acid fragments belonging to different series must not be homologous to each other.Sandwich hybridization tests performed with arrays of nucleic acid fragments are at least four times as sensitive as sandwich hybridization tests performed with reagents belonging to the prior art.

Abstract: This invention relates to a kit for the detection of microbial nucleic acids and a method for identifying the nucleic acids using a one-step sandwich hybridization technique. The technique requires two complementary nucleic acid reagents for each microbe or group of microbes to be identified.

Abstract: This invention relates to a diagnostic kit based on a one step hybridization procedure and method of using the kit for identifying the nucleic acids of viruses and bacteria contained in a single sample. The procedure requires two nucleic acid reagents for each microbe or group of microbes to be identified.