Compositions comprising a library of analytes for detection, quantification and analyses

Abstract

This invention provides novel compositions and processes for analyte detection, quantification and amplification. Nucleic acid arrays and libraries of analytes are usefully incorporated into such compositions and processes. Universal detection elements, signaling entities and the like are employed to detect and if necessary or desirable, to quantify analytes. Amplification of target analytes are also provided by the compositions and processes of this invention.

1 . A composition of matter that comprises a library of nucleic acid analytes and an array of nucleic acids, wherein said library comprises diverse nucleic acid analytes which comprise (i) an inherent universal detection target (UDT) comprising at least one conserved sequence present in said diverse nucleic acid analytes, and (ii) a universal detection element (UDE), said UDE being attached to said UDT, said nucleic acid analytes being hybridized to said array of nucleic acids, and said array of nucleic acids being fixed or immobilized to a solid support, wherein said UDE generates a signal indicating the presence or quantity of said diverse nucleic acid analytes by means of said attachment of said UDE to said UDT.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said library of nucleic acid analytes is isolated from a biological source comprising organs, tissues or cells.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid analytes comprise genomic DNA, episomal DNA, unspliced RNA, mRNA, rRNA, snRNA or a combination of any of the foregoing.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid array comprises DNA, RNA, or analogs thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein said analogs comprise PNA.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein said nucleic acids or analogs are modified on any one of the sugar, phosphate or base moieties.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said solid support is porous or non-porous.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein said porous solid support comprises polyacrylamide or agarose.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein said non-porous solid support comprises glass or plastic.  
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said solid support is transparent, translucent, opaque or reflective.  
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acids are direct/y or indirect/y fixed or immobilized to said solid support.  
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein said nucleic acids are indirect/y fixed or immobilized to said solid support by means of a chemical linker or linkage arm or a linkage arm.  
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said inherent UDT comprises 3′ polyA segments, 5′ caps, secondary structures, consensus sequences or a combination of any of the foregoing.  
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein said consensus sequences comprises signal sequences for polyA addition, splicing elements, multicopy repeats or a combination of any of the foregoing.  
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said UDE comprises nucleic acids, nucleic acid analogs, polypeptides, polysaccharides, synthetic polymers or a combination of any of the foregoing.  
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein said analogs comprise PNA.  
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said UDE generates a signal direct/y or indirect/y.  
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein said direct signal generation comprises a fluorescent compound, a phosphorescent compound, a chemiluminescent compound, a chelating compound, an electron dense compound, a magnetic compound, an intercalating compound, an energy transfer compound or a combination of any of the foregoing.  
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein said indirect signal generation comprises an antibody, an antigen, a hapten, a receptor, a hormone, a ligand, an enzyme or a combination of any of the foregoing.  
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein said enzyme catalyzes a reaction comprises a fluorogenic reaction, a chromogenic reaction or a chemiluminescent reaction.  
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid analytes comprise DNA or RNA copies of genomic DNA, episomal DNA, unspliced RNA, mRNA, rRNA, snRNA or combinations thereof.