EP0422872A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Nucleic acid probes and methods for detecting fungi
Assignee: Gene Trak Systems Corp
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Filing: 1990-10-08
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-10-08
Abstract
Abstract Nucleic acid probes are described for detecting fungi capable of causing fungal septicemia or capable of causing food spoilage. The preferred probes are complementary to ribonucleic acid sequences found in numerous fungi and absent in animal or plant genomes. As such, these probes can detect the rBNA, rDNA, or polymerase chain reaction amplification products from the majority of fungal species. The detection of etiological agents of human fungemia, the clinical diagnosis of this disease and the direct evaluation of food or beverage fungal content utilizing rRNA or rDNA probes is now possible.
Inventors
- 👤 William G. Weisburg
- 👤 Mitchell I. Sogin
- 👤 Susan M. Barns
- 👤 Dale A. Pelletier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:30
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12Q; C12Q1/00; C12Q1/68; C12Q1/6876; C12Q1/6888; C12Q1/6895
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
42 words
A process for the preparation of a nucleic acid fragment capable of hybridizing to rRNA or rDNA of fungi but not to rRNA or rDNA of human, bacteria, or wheat, the process comprising coupling successive nucleotides together and/or ligating oligo- and/or poly-nucleotides.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process for the preparation of a nucleic acid fragment capable of hybridizing to rRNA or rDNA of fungi but not to rRNA or rDNA of human, bacteria, or wheat, the process comprising coupling successive nucleotides together and/or ligating oligo- and/or poly-nucleotides.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fragment is complementary to at least 90% of a sequence comprising any ten consecutive nucleotides within probes 1417, 1418, 1415, 1416, 1542, 1545, IG707, 1859, 1860, 1858, 1857, 1812, 1813,1814,1816,936 or 935.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fragment is homologous to at least 90% of a sequence comprising any ten consecutive nucleotides within probes 1417, 1418, 1415, 1416, 1542, 1545, IG707, 1859, 1860, 1858, 1857, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1816, 936 or 935.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
A process for the preparation of a set of probes comprising at least two nucleic acid fragments, at least one of which comprises probe 1417, 1418, 1415, 1416, 1542, 1545, IG707, 1859, 1860, 1858, 1857, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1816, 936 or 935 or one of their complementary sequences, the process comprising coupling successive"nucleotides together and/or ligating oligo- and/or poly-nucleotides.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
A process for the preparation of a set of probes comprising at least two nucleic acid fragments, at least one of which comprises probe 1417, 1418, 1415, 1416, 1542, 1545, IG707, 1859, 1860, 1858, 1857, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1816, 936 or 935 or one of their complementary sequences, the process comprising coupling successive"nucleotides together and/or ligating oligo- and/or poly-nucleotides.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nucleic acid fragment comprises probe 1417, 1418, 1415, 1416, 1542, 1545, IG707, 1859, 1860, 1858, 1857, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1816, 936 or 935 or one of their complementary sequences.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for detecting fungal organisms in a sample comprising: a) contacting said sample with at least one nucleic acid fragment under conditions that allow said fragment to hybridize to rRNA or rDNA of said fungal organism if present in said sample, whereby nucleic acid complexes are formed, and wherein said nucleic acid fragment does not hybridize to rRNA or rDNA of non-fungal organisms; and b) detecting said nucleic acid complexes as an indication of the presence of said fungal organism.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for detecting fungal organisms in a sample comprising: a) contacting said sample with at least one nucleic acid fragment under conditions that allow said fragment to hybridize to rRNA or rDNA of said fungal organism if present in said sample, whereby nucleic acid complexes are formed, and wherein said nucleic acid fragment does not hybridize to rRNA or rDNA of non-fungal organisms; and b) detecting said nucleic acid complexes as an indication of the presence of said fungal organism.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein said nucleic acid fragment in said contacting step comprises probe 1417, 1418, 1415, 1416, 1542, 1545, IG707, 1859, 1860, 1858, 1857, 1812, 1813, 1814 or 1816 or one of their complementary sequences.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein said nucleic acid fragment in said contacting step comprises probe/primer 936 and said detecting step comprises further contacting said sample with a second nucleic acid fragment comprising probe 935, 1417, 1418, 1415, 1416, 1542, 1545, IG707, 1859, 1860, 1858, 1857, 1812, 1813, 1814 or 1816.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 7 further comprising the step of amplifying 18S rRNA gene sequences of said fungal organism by polymerase chain reaction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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