| abstract |
The invention includes methods and apparatus for separating mutations, especially rare and unknown mutations, using heteroduplex binding proteins. Nucleic acids may optionally be nicked at or near the mutation in order to promote heteroduplex binding protein recognition and binding. In particular, using the disclosed methods, it is possible to separate heteroduplexed nucleic acid strand pair from homoduplexed nucleic acid strand pairs having similar sequences and being at a much higher concentration. Once the heteroduplexed nucleic acids are isolated and recovered, it is straightforward to analyze the sequences of the heteroduplexed nucleic acids, e.g., using sequencing or hybrid assays. |