Abstract: Described are methods for determining the presence or absence of particular polymorphisms in CYP2D6 and other genes using scattered light detectable particles as detectable labels, and compositions useful in such methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to compositions and methods for the reuse of arrays, including microarrays. Specifically, the present disclosure discloses polynucleotide targets comprising nucleotide analogs that are not present within the probe polynucleotides immobilized on the array. The nucleotide-analog containing targets can be chemically modified to reduce their thermal stability and thus easier to remove from the array. In preferred embodiments, the disclosure relates to DNA probes hybridized to single-stranded deoxyribouridine-containing targets, the targets subsequently being chemically modified using a uracil DNA glycosylase and/or nuclease. Accordingly, the disclosure allows for the glycosylase treated, deoxyuridine-containing targets to be removed from the array by exposure to less stringent denaturing conditions than otherwise would have been required.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chromogenic (calorimetric) in situ hybridization (CISH) and nucleic acid probes useful for in situ hybridization. Specifically, the present invention provides methods, kits, and compositions for performing bright field cancer diagnostics employing chromogenic in situ hybridization (e.g. to detect gene amplifications, gene translocations, and chromosome polysomy). In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides CISH methods, kits and compositions for detecting HER2 gene status.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions comprising mixtures of reagents, including thermostable enzymes (e.g., thermostable DNA polymerases), buffers, cofactors and other components, suitable for immediate use in nucleic acid amplification or sequencing techniques without dilution or addition of further components. The compositions contain no stabilizing agents (e.g., glycerol or serum albumin) and unexpectedly maintain activity for extended periods of time upon storage at temperatures above freezing. These compositions are useful, alone or in the form of kits, for nucleic acid amplification (e.g., by the Polymerase Chain Reaction) and sequencing (e.g., by dideoxy or “Sanger” sequencing), or for any procedure utilizing thermostable DNA polymerases in a variety of medical, forensic and agricultural applications. In particular, the compositions and methods are useful for amplifying and sequencing nucleic acid molecules that are larger than about 7 kilobases in size.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits for in vitro systems for synthesis of biomolecules such as polypeptides, are provided herein. Cell extracts that provide enhanced yields of soluble proteins using in vitro protein synthesis methods are provided. The invention also includes methods for producing high yields of proteins by the addition of a feeding solution that includes amino acids and an energy source to an ongoing in vitro synthesis system. The invention also includes methods of using a high-yield in vitro synthesis system to produce large quantities of proteins with incorporated labeled amino acids for analysis by methods such as by NMR. The invention further includes vectors for enhanced production of proteins from nucleic acid templates using in vitro synthesis systems.

Abstract: The present invention describes primers, methods and kits for amplifying and identifying HLA alleles. Using these primers, all HLA alleles at a single locus can be amplified using either a multiplex or non-multiplex PCR approach. Within sets of the primers, control primer pairs may be used to produce control amplicons of a predetermined size from an HLA allele only if a particular HLA locus is present in the sample. The present invention further describes primers for sequencing HLA alleles following amplification. Methods and kits for using the primers are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods for activating and expanding cells, and more particularly, to a novel method to activate and/or stimulate cells that maximizes the expansion of such cells to achieve dramatically high densities. In the various embodiments, cells are activated and expanded to very high densities in a short period of time. In certain embodiments, cells are activated and expanded to very high numbers of cells in a short period of time. Compositions of cells activated and expanded by the methods herein are further provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of preparing nucleic acids, such as RNA molecules, of a defined size or range of sizes. The invention provides compositions, methods and kits for use in the production and preparation of small RNA molecules (including without limitation micro-RNA, siRNA, d-siRNA and e-siRNA) and other nucleic acids of various sizes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a control and analysis system, a signal generation and detection apparatus, or reader for capturing, processing and analyzing images of samples having resonance light scattering (RLS) particle labels. An analyzer/reader includes an illumination system having a unique shutter/aperture assembly for delivering precise patterns of light to a sample, a computer controlled X-Y stage, and a detection system comprising a CCD camera to allow separation and analysis of detected light that contains information from gold and/or silver RLS labels. Alternative embodiments include linear scanning apparatus and simplified apparatus for low density samples.

Abstract: Recombinational cloning is provided by the use of nucleic acids, vectors and methods, in vitro and in vivo, for moving or exchanging segments of DNA molecules using engineered recombination sites and recombination proteins to provide chimeric DNA molecules that have the desired characteristic(s) and/or DNA segment(s).

Abstract: Recombinational cloning is provided by the use of nucleic acids, vectors and methods, in vitro and in vivo, for moving or exchanging segments of DNA molecules using engineered recombination sites and recombination proteins to provide chimeric DNA molecules that have the desired characteristic(s) and/or DNA segment(s).

Abstract: Recombinational cloning is provided by the use of nucleic acids, vectors and methods, in vitro and in vivo, for moving or exchanging segments of DNA molecules using engineered recombination sites and recombination proteins to provide chimeric DNA molecules that have the desired characteristic(s) and/or DNA segment(s).

Abstract: Pre-labeled protein standards useful in electrophoresis that have sharp, consistent separation characteristics that are substantially the same as those of their unlabeled counterparts are provided. The invention provides pre-labeled protein standard sets that include a plurality of labeled proteins that are labeled on a first amino acid, in which side reactions of the label with amino acids not targeted for labeling are reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metal chelator and methods that facilitate binding, detecting, monitoring and quantitating of zinc ions in a sample. The metal chelating moiety of the zinc-binding compound is an analog of the well-known calcium chelator, BAPTA (1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N?,N?-tetraacetic acid), wherein the chelating moiety has been modified from a tetraacetic acid moiety to a tri- di- or monoacetic moiety. This change in acetic acid groups on the metal chelating moiety results in the selective bindings of zinc ions in the presence of calcium ions, both of which are present in biological fluids and intracellular cytosolic fluid and organelles.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid molecules comprising one or more nucleic acid sequences encoding a polypeptide having a detectable activity. The present invention also provides methods of joining such nucleic acid molecules to nucleic acid molecules to be assayed for promoter activity. The present invention also relates to methods of preparing fusion proteins comprising a polypeptide of interest and a polypeptide having a detectable activity.

Abstract: The use of semiconductor nanocrystals as detectable labels in various chemical and biological applications is disclosed. The methods find use for detecting a single analyte, as well as multiple analytes by using more than one semiconductor nanocrystal as a detectable label, each of which emits at a distinct wavelength.

Abstract: The invention relates to a substantially pure thermostable DNA polymerase from Thermotoga (Tne and Tma) and mutants thereof. The Tne DNA polymerase has a molecular weight of about 100 kilodaltons and is more thermostable than Taq DNA polymerase. The mutant DNA polymerase has at least one mutation selected from the group consisting of (1) a first mutation that substantially reduces or eliminates 3??5? exonuclease activity of said DNA polymerase; (2) a second mutation that substantially reduces or eliminates 5??3? exonuclease activity of said DNA polymerase; (3) a third mutation in the O helix of said DNA polymerase resulting in said DNA polymerase becoming non-discriminating against dideoxynucleotides. The present invention also relates to the cloning and expression of the wild type or mutant DNA polymerases in E. coli, to DNA molecules containing the cloned gene, and to host cells which express said genes.

Abstract: Provided is an optical in vivo contrast agent comprising a fluorescent polymeric microsphere, wherein the microsphere is impregnated with a dye having an excitation and emission spectrum compatible with in vivo imaging, and wherein the microsphere is coated with a block copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods for stimulating T cells, and more particularly, to methods to eliminate undesired (e.g., autoreactive, alloreactive, pathogenic) subpopulations of T cells from a mixed population of T cells, thereby restoring the normal immune repertoire of said T cells. The present invention also relates to compositions of cells, including stimulated T cells having restored immune repertoire and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid molecules which may be used as standards for estimating the size (in base pairs) and mass of linear, double-stranded or single-stranded nucleic acid molecules separated by size. The nucleic acid molecules of the invention may be DNA molecules, RNA molecules or DNA/RNA hybrid molecules, and may be double-stranded or single-stranded. The invention also provides methods for producing nucleic acid sizing ladders from these nucleic acid molecules, ladders produced by such methods, and methods for estimating the size and mass of nucleic acid molecules by comparison to these nucleic acid sizing ladders.