| abstract |
DNA and RNA diagnostics based on mass spectrometry, e.g. Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation Time-of-Flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, Electrospray (ES) mass spectrometry, Ion Cyclotron Resonance (ICR) mass spectrometry, Fourier Transform mass spectrometry, or combinations thereof, where fully or partially LNA modified DNA probes are used in order to enhance stability and resolution. The invention in particular relates to a process for detecting a target nucleic acid sequence of a nucleic acid molecule or for detecting a mutation in a nucleic acid sequence of a nucleic acid molecule, wherein (a) the nucleic acid molecule or (b) a part of the nucleic acid molecule or (c) an oligonucleotide complementary to the sequence or at least a sub-sequence of the nucleic acid molecule is analysed by mass spectrometry in order to obtain direct or indirect information about the target nucleic acid sequence or mutation, and wherein the process involves the hybridisation of an LNA modified oligonucleotide to the nucleic acid molecule. |