Nucleic Acids Probes in Diagnostic

Some aspects concerning the development of nucleic acids probes in diagnostic are reviewed. The influence of base sequence, probe concentration and length on the melting temperature of DNA duplexes is discussed. Multiple probe labeling can be performed on a DNA synthesizer using modified nucleoside phosphoramidites bearing the reporter molecule. These probes have been successfully applied to the histological detection of a variety of neuropeptide mRNAs and neuropeptide receptors mRNAs. An hybridization format using PCR and solid support fixation of the amplified probe has been used for the typing of human papilloma viruses.