Abstract: A cassette and electrophoretic gel assembly includes a non-conductive cassette, two solid buffer reservoirs, and an agarose gel. The assembly is disposable, and the sample wells on the gel are in standard microtiter plate format. The configuration is such that the gel is continuously in electrical contact with the electrodes in operation despite the production/migration of water and other exudates.

Abstract: An improved system for running electrophoresis gels “face up” is described. The system includes a single gel capacity strip holder, two electrodes, a sample cup, and a cover. The system provides a means of separating basic proteins on any length gel strip and the cup provides a user-friendly means of successfully putting the proteins on the gel face.

Abstract: A purified recombinant thermostable DNA polymerase polymerase which exhibits at least about 80% activity at salt concentations of 50 mM and greater, at least about 70% activity at salt concentrations of 25 mM and greater, and having a processivity of about 30 nucleotides per binding event. An isolated nucleic acid that encodes the thermostable DNA polymerase, as well as a recombinant DNA vector comprising the nucleic acid and a recombinant host cell transformed with the vector, are also disclosed. A method of sequencing DNA using the DNA polymerase as well as a kit for sequencing DNA is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for detecting a mutation in a target nucleic acid sequence that comprises attaching oligonucleotide primers to a substrate, wherein the oligonucleotide primers have a sequence that is complementary to the target nucleic acid sequence, and wherein the oligonucleotide primers are grouped according to the identity of the first base which would be expected to be added to the primer through the process of primer extension; hybridizing to the oligonucleotide primers a sample nucleic acid sequence which possibly contains a mutation; extending each oligonucleotide primer by one base using a reaction mixture comprising labeled ddNTPs; and detecting a mutation in the sample nucleic acid sequence by detecting the presence of a labeled ddNTP which does not correspond to the identity of the base expected to be added to the primer through the process of primer extension. Mutations may be detected in mRNA or DNA.

Abstract: Polymerases from the Pol I family which are able to efficiently use ddNTPs have demonstrated a much improved performance when used to sequence DNA. A number of mutations have been made to the gene coding for the Pol II family DNA polymerase from the archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus with the aim of improving ddNTP utilisation. “Rational” alterations to amino acids likely to be near the dNTP binding site (based on sequence homologies and structural information) did not yield the desired level of selectivity for ddNTPs. However, alteration at four positions (Q472, A486, L490 and Y497) gave rise to variants which incorporated ddNTPs better than the wild type, allowing sequencing reactions to be carried out at lowered ddNTP:dNTP ratios. Wild type Pfu-Pol required a ddNTP:dNTP ratio of 30:1; values of 5:1 (Q472H), 1:3 (L490Y), 1:5 (A486Y) and 5:1 (Y497A) were found with the four mutants; A486Y representing a 150-fold improvement over the wild type.

Abstract: The present invention involves a gel strip carrier module for a gel strip that reduces the handling of the gel strip and the hands-on-time during preparation of the gel strip for isoelectric focusing. The gel carrier module includes a gel strip chamber that serves as both a rehydration and focusing chamber, and allows the sample to be applied either throughout the entire gel or in a defined zone. The gel carrier module includes a pair of electrodes near opposite ends of the chamber that the gel strip rests on, gel side facing down. The gel carrier module includes a cover with hold-down blocks or pressure blocks to assure reliable, light contact between the gel and the electrodes during focusing. A rehydration buffer is added into the chamber, and the gel strip is gently placed in the chamber, gel side down, for rehydration.

Abstract: The present invention involves a gel casting and electrophoresis device that simplifies the gel cassette casting and electrophoresis process by providing an integral frame assembly that includes a bottom sealing means movable to a first position where the sealing means seals the bottom of the gel cassette for gel casting purposes and a second position which exposes the bottom of the gel cassette for electrophoresis purposes.

Abstract: The present invention provides media for inactivating pathogens found within protein-containing biological fluids. The media of the present invention preserve the structural integrity and biological activity of labile proteins while simultaneously exhibiting potent disinfectant activity. The media of the present invention comprise iodinated chromatographic media, particularly ion exchange media. The invention further provides methods for disinfecting biological fluids.

Abstract: The present invention involves a power application device including a flat power pad having an electrically insulating support that supports first and second conductive regions. The first conductive region is connected to a positive output terminal of a power supply, and the second conductive region is connected to a negative terminal of the same power supply. The power application device may be used with electrophoresis gel carrier modules of various dimensions having first and second conductive paths leading from the vicinity of each end of the gel to separate external electrical contacts points. The external electrical contact points can each make contact with the conductive regions upon which the electrophoresis gel module sits. When properly positioned on the power pad, the electrophoresis gel module spans the distance between two conductive regions of opposite charge and the external contact points of the electrophoresis module make electrical contact with the conductive regions.

Abstract: A chemical compound of the following formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aralkyl, and substituted alkyl groups; R.sup.3 is selected from the group consisting of H, PO.sub.3.sup.-2, P.sub.2 O.sub.6.sup.-3 ; P.sub.3 O.sub.9.sup.-4, and .alpha.-thio phoshates (PSO.sub.2.sup.-2 ; P.sub.2 SO.sub.5.sup.-3 ; P.sub.3 O.sub.8.sup.-4); and .alpha.BH.sub.3.sup.- phosphates (P(BH.sub.3)O.sub.2.sup.-2, P.sub.2 (BH.sub.3)O.sub.5.sup.-3, P.sub.3 (BH.sub.3)O.sub.8.sup.-4); R.sup.4 is selected from the group consisting of H, lower alkyl, acyl, (CH.sub.2).sub.p COO(CH.sub.2).sub.q CH.sub.3 wherein p is an integer from 0 to 4 and q is an integer from 0 to 4, and 5,6; 6,7; or 7,8-butadienyl; R.sup.5 is selected from the group consisting of H lower alkyl, acyl, (CH.sub.2).sub.p COO(CH.sub.2).sub.q CH.sub.

Abstract: A device is able to simultaneously transport a plurality of biological samples. The device has a plurality of strips of bibulous material extending from a body of the device with a regular spacing between the strips. By manipulating the device the effective spacing between the extremities of the strips changes. This enables the strips to pick up fluid biological samples from a laboratory appliance in which the samples are located at a first spacing and then deposit the biological samples onto another laboratory appliance which accepts the samples at a different spacing. A version of the device for robotic manipulation also is disclosed.

Abstract: A Thermococcus barosii DNA polymerase with reduced 3'-5' exonuclease activity is disclosed. Additionally disclosed is a Thermococcus barosii DNA polymerase with increased ability to incorporate ribonucleotides and dideoxynucleotides.

Abstract: A method of sequencing a DNA molecule is disclosed. This method comprises the step of exposing the molecule to a mixture of dITP/dGTP in a sequencing elongation reaction whereby compression artifacts are reduced.

Abstract: An electrophoresis gel cassette that includes a bottom plate with an attached base portion, a cover plate, and a gel chamber formed between the two plates. There is at least one opening, which is in communication with the gel chamber, encompassed in the base portion, thereby making the opening seamless or free of parting lines. Upon assembling the cassette, a contact face of the base portion of the bottom plate and a contact face of the cover plate can be sealed by sonic welding or adhesives to produce a water-tight seal and to facilitate casting.

Abstract: A chemical compound of the following formula is disclosed: ##STR1## where R is selected from the group consisting of H, trityl, 4-O-monomethoxytrityl, 4,4'-O-dimethoxytrityl, and acyl groups, and whereby R can be used as a protecting group or is an H;R' is a phosphoramidite;R" is selected from the group consisting of H and lower alkyl groups;R'" is selected from the group consisting of H and lower alkyl groups;R.sup.4 is selected from the group consisting of H, lower alkyl, acyl, ##STR2## and (CH.sub.2).sub.p COO(CH.sub.2).sub.q CH.sub.3 wherein p is an integer from 0 to 4 and q is an integer from 0 to 4;R.sup.5 is selected from the group consisting of H, lower alkyl, acyl, ##STR3## and (CH.sub.2).sub.p COO(CH.sub.2).sub.q CH.sub.3 wherein p is an integer from 0 to 4 and q is an integer from 0 to 4;n is an integer from 0 to 10;m is an integer from 0 to 10;r is 1, 2, or 3; andX.sup.- is a negative ion.

Abstract: A preparation of a labelled nucleotide comprising at least one compound having a Mg.sup.2+ association constant between 1.times.10.sup.-11 to 1.times.10.sup.-2, inclusive. The compound is preferably selected from the group consisting of citrate, isocitrate, phosphate, EGTA, EDTA, and CDTA. The concentration of the compound is preferably at least 5 mM.

Abstract: An electrophoresis apparatus which overcomes the safety problems of the conventional apparatus by including a screen for preventing the operator from contacting the exposed surface of the gel chamber to avoid burns or electric shock. Shock due to contact with buffer solutions is also avoided by use of a power engaging mechanism which prevents the operator from accessing either of the buffer reservoirs when one or both of the buffer solutions are connected to the power source. The power engaging mechanism ensures that it is only possible to connect the buffer solutions to the power source when both reservoir covers are in their closed positions.

Abstract: A reagent sphere is disclosed comprising at least one biological reagent and a glass-forming filler material in a concentration sufficient to facilitate formation of a glassy, porous composition, wherein the reagent semi-sphere is water soluble and has a T.sub.g sufficient for room temperature stability. At least two carbohydrates are combined to create the reagent sphere. The first carbohydrate is a synthetic high molecular weight polymer. The second carbohydrate is different than the first carbohydrate. A method is provided for making the reagent sphere.

Abstract: Compounds useful to attach a fluorescein label to an oligonucleotide are disclosed. To create these compounds, oxygen groups on the fluorescein moiety are protected (e.g. with acyl groups). One then links a phosphoramidite to the fluorescein moiety via an amide or thiourea linkage to an active site on the fluorescein ring. The resulting compound can then be directly linked to an oligonucleotide as it is being formed in an automated synthesizer and then deprotected using the same deprotection conditions as are used to deprotect the oligonucleotides. Such compounds are, inter alia, useful to create labelled primers for DNA sequencing.

Abstract: An apparatus for efficiently circulating and moving a fluid across a workpiece. The apparatus can provide for the automated handling of the fluids used, and is well suited for use in the staining and fixing of biological assays such as electrophoresis gels. The tray of the invention includes first and second side walls, first and second end walls, a first curved wall portion connecting the first side wall and the first end wall, and a second curved wall portion connecting the second side wall and the second end wall. The inclusion of the curved surface in the combination causes mixing to occur efficiently when the tray is "rocked" from side to side as in the conventional apparatus. Thus, the apparatus of the invention may also include a motor for alternately raising and lowering each end wall of the tray in a rocking motion, thereby causing the fluid to alternately flow towards and away from each end wall.