Methods and kits for performing in situ hybridization

Abstract

The invention relates to methods and kits for performing in situ hybridization on a biological sample on a solid surface using nucleic acid probes that are embedded in or sorbed to a dry, fibrous matrix.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A kit for detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample, comprising:
 a) a dry fibrous matrix comprising labeled nucleic acid probes for detecting the target nucleic acid, wherein the labeled nucleic acid probes are embedded in or sorbed to the matrix, and wherein the labeled nucleic acid probes comprise nucleotide sequences that are substantially complementary to one or more nucleotide sequences in the target nucleic acid;   b) a hydration buffer for releasing the probes from the matrix.   
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the fibrous matrix comprises a glass fiber, a wool fiber, a synthetic fiber or a plant fiber. 
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the fibrous matrix comprises a cellulose-based material. 
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein one or more additional reagents selected from the group consisting of salmon sperm DNA, a blocking reagent and an antimicrobial agent, or a combination thereof are embedded in or sorbed to the matrix. 
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the hydration buffer comprises about 30% formamide, about 10% to about 20% dextran sulfate and 2×SSC. 
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the hydration buffer comprises about 1.0-5.0 mM NaOH and has a pH in the range of about 10 to about 13. 
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the labeled nucleic acid probes are synthetic DNA oligonucleotide probes. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 7 , wherein the DNA oligonucleotide probes have a length of about 20 to about 50 nucleotides. 
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 8 , wherein the DNA oligonucleotide probes have a length of about 30 nucleotides and comprise at least one fluorescent label.