Branched DNA (bDNA) Technology for Direct Quantification of Nucleic Acids: Research and Clinical Applications

Over the past decade a number of new technologies, including the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (Mullis and Faloona, 1987), have emerged for the detection and quantification of nucleic acid molecules. Distinct among these is the branched DNA (bDNA) assay which, unlike its target amplification counterparts, uses a signal amplification scheme to enhance detection of physiologic concentrations of target nucleic acids. The basis of the bDNA assay involves the specific hybridization of bDNA and enzymelabeled oligonucleotide probes to target nucleic acids; this is described in detail in the accompanying chapter in this book, entitled “Branched DNA Technology for Direct Quantification of Nucleic Acids: Design and Performance.” The bDNA assay is inherently quantitative and nonradioactive, and has proven to be a reproducible and accurate means of quantifying nucleic acid molecules. The bDNA assay offers several advantages for research and clinical applications; it: