Applications of universal probe on DNA hybridization.

A convenient method for DNA hybridization termed "Universal probe" is described which is based on the principle of sandwich hybridization. This system consists of two probes: primary probe which is single-stranded DNA prepared from a chimeric phage-plasmid vector containing the complementary sequence to a target; and labeled secondary probe which has an opposite strand of the primary probe without the complementary sequence. By use this universal probe human beta-globin gene was able to be detected on Southern blots of genomic DNA. A potential advantage of this method is that the single-stranded primary probe is prepared easily by the chimeric phage-plasmid vector system and tedious labeling is not needed each time.