Methods and compositions for nucleic acid sequencing

Abstract

The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for acquiring nucleotide sequence information of target sequences. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for improving the efficiency of sequencing reactions by using fewer labels to distinguish between nucleotides and by detecting nucleotides at multiple detection positions in a target sequence.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method of identifying a base in a target sequence by distinguishing between four possible nucleotides using fewer than four unique labels comprising carrying out sequencing using sequencing probes which are labeled in such a way as to distinguish between four nucleotides using only two different labels. 
     
     
         23 . A composition comprising sequencing probes for use in the method of  claim 23 .