Abstract: This invention relates to a process and system to amplify and detect recombinational non-reciprocal cross-over reactions between homologous nucleic acid molecules without the assistance from a protein factor. The result of a chain reaction of non-reciprocal cross-overs is stoichiometrical formation of nucleic acid conglomerate complex that binds significantly more ethidium bromide or other fluorophores than a canonical B-form double helical nucleic acid does, emitting much stronger fluorescence. Such nucleic acid conglomerate complex can be easily detected by conventional methods, therefore can be used to detect any target molecule of interest.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining the number of copies of a target nucleic acid relative to the number of copies of a reference nucleic acid in a biological specimen. The method includes amplifying the target nucleic acid, measuring the amplification of the target nucleic acid, amplifying the reference nucleic acid, measuring the amplification of the target nucleic acid, and comparing the amplification of the target nucleic acid sequence to the amplification of the reference nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: A method for detecting a target nucleic acid, which method includes the steps of (i) amplifying the target nucleic acid to obtain an amplification product using a polymerase, a first primer with or without a segment noncontiguous to a first priming sequence, and a second primer with or without a segment noncontiguous to a second priming sequence in the presence of an oligonucleotide which is incapable of acting as a primer for the polymerase, wherein the oligonucleotide has at least 5 consecutive nucleotides fully complementary to at least 5 consecutive nucleotides of the first primer; and (ii) detecting the presence of the target nucleic acid by monitoring the amplification thereof.

Abstract: A method for detecting a target nucleic acid, which method includes the steps of (i) amplifying the target nucleic acid to obtain an amplification product using a polymerase, a first primer with or without a segment noncontiguous to a first priming sequence, and a second primer with or without a segment noncontiguous to a second priming sequence in the presence of an oligonucleotide which is incapable of acting as a primer for the polymerase, wherein the oligonucleotide has at least 5 consecutive nucleotides fully complementary to at least 5 consecutive nucleotides of the first primer; and (ii) detecting the presence of the target nucleic acid by monitoring the amplification thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a homogeneous process for amplifying a target sequence in a nucleic acid sample and detecting amplification in the absence of a separation step. The invention further provides a method for nucleic acid amplification under conditions which substantially reduce the occurrence of nonspecific amplification. Products and an apparatus related to the homogeneous process are also described.

Abstract: A method for carrying out a nucleic acid hybridization test to detect a target nucleic acid sequence, the method including the steps of(1) providing a polymer molecule bonded to a first single-stranded nucleic acid sequence which is either (a) a first probe capable of hybridizing to the target nucleic acid sequence, or (b) a second nucleic acid sequence capable of hybridizing to a third nucleic acid sequence bonded to a first probe capable of hybridizing to the target nucleic acid sequence; provided that, where the polymer molecule comprises DNA, the DNA is of heterogeneous base sequence;(2) where the polymer used in step (1) is bonded to (b), providing the first probe bonded to the third nucleic acid sequence;(3) denaturing the target nucleic acid sequence;(4) contacting the denatured target nucleic acid sequence with the polymer molecule bonded to the first single-stranded nucleic acid sequence and, if the first nucleic acid sequence is (b), to the first probe bonded to the third nucleic acid sequence; and(