| abstract |
Large comb-type branched polynucleotides useful as amplifier molecules in nucleic acid hybridization assays are provided, the polynucleotides comprising: a polynucleotide backbone having at least about 15 multifunctional nucleotides, each of which defines a sidechain site and a first single-stranded oligonucleotide unit that is capable of binding specifically to a first single-stranded polynucleotide sequence of interest; and pendant polynucleotide sidechains extending from said multifunctional nucleotides each comprising iterations of a second single-stranded oligonucleotide unit that is capable of binding specifically to a second single-stranded polynucleotide sequence of interest, the total number of iterations in all sidechains being at least 20. Methods of making these polynucleotides are also provided. |