Hybrid capture assay is not typically used for detection of which category?

• A. Protein tumor markers
• B. DNA sequences
• C. RNA sequences
• D. Carbohydrates

Answer: (A)

Hybrid capture relies on complementary base pairing between a nucleic acid probe and a target DNA or RNA sequence, so it’s inherently a nucleic acid–based detection method. It is well suited for detecting DNA or RNA sequences, such as pathogen genomes or gene transcripts. Protein tumor markers, on the other hand, are proteins, not nucleic acids, and are typically detected by antibody-based immunoassays rather than by nucleic acid hybridization. Carbohydrates are also not nucleic acids, but the clearest mismatch with a nucleic acid–based approach is proteins, which is why protein tumor markers are not typically detected with hybrid capture.