Efficient and specific DNA-targeting using single-stranded LNA/MOE mixmers and chimeric Invader:XenoRNA probes

DNA-targeting properties of heteroduplexes between intercalator-functionalized oligonucleotides and various Xeno RNAs (<i>i.e.</i>, LNA/MOE mixmers, or fully modified MOE, O2'-Me, or 2'-F strands) are disclosed. Chimeric Invader:LNA/MOE probes and some single-stranded LNA/MOE mixmers enable efficient invasion of double-stranded DNA targets with exceptional binding specificity.