Abstract: A novel method of suppressing non-specific cross-hybridization between repetitive elements present in nucleic acid probes and corresponding repetitive elements in the target nucleic acid by using DNA synthesized to contain a plurality of repetitive elements while avoiding low and single copy sequences.

Abstract: A method of enhancing signal detection through use of nanoparticle-conjugated nucleic acid probes is provided. Following chromosomal FISH hybridization of a target sequence with a genomic probe linked to a flag sequence, the flag sequence is hybridized to an anti-flag sequence conjugated to a nanoparticle. The enhanced fluorescent probe is then visualized using microscopy.

Abstract: A novel method of suppressing non-specific cross-hybridization between repetitive elements present in nucleic acid probes and corresponding repetitive elements in the target nucleic acid by using DNA synthesized to contain a plurality of repetitive elements while avoiding low and single copy sequences.

Abstract: A novel suspension hybridization assay was used to determine nucleic acid copy number by flow cytometry. The assay was validated with low copy (lc) products ranging in length from 100 to 2304 bp conjugated to spectrally-distinct polystyrene microspheres. In the example provided herein, these conjugated microspheres were used as multiplex hybridization probes to detect homologous sequences in genomic DNA extracted from cytogenetic cell pellets and labeled with biotin-dUTP. Hybridization was detected with phycoerythrin-labeled streptavidin and analyzed by flow cytometry. Copy number differences were distinguishable by comparing the mean fluorescence intensities of test probes with a diploid reference probe in genomic DNA of patient samples and abnormal cell lines. The assay is capable of distinguishing a single allele and three alleles at a test locus from a biallelic reference sequence, regardless of chromosomal context.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying low copy nucleic acid segments from within a known nucleic acid sequence and selecting among the identified low copy segments for segments that are thermodynamically suitable for use in hybridization experiments.

Abstract: A novel method of suppressing non-specific cross-hybridization between repetitive elements present in nucleic acid probes and corresponding repetitive elements in the target nucleic acid by using DNA synthesized to contain a plurality of repetitive elements while avoiding low and single copy sequences.