Abstract: Methods, compositions, and kits for determining whether a subject has non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are provided. Methods, compositions, and kits for determining whether a subject has non-alcoholic steatosis are also provided. Methods, compositions, and kits for determining whether a subject has non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting a microorganism, in particular Staphylococcus aureus, in a sample, comprising the steps of a) incubating the sample with a slow off-rate modified aptamer (SOMAmer) comprising a fluorescent label, b) optionally washing the sample, c) analyzing the sample by a fluorescence-based detection method. The invention further relates to a slow off-rate modified aptamer comprising a fluorescent label, wherein the SOMAmer comprises a nucleotide sequence specific for Staphylococcus aureus, its use for detecting Staphylococcus aureus cells in a sample, and to a microarray or biosensor and a kit comprising at least one of such SOMAmers comprising a fluorescent label.

Abstract: Methods, compositions, and kits for predicting whether a subject with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or at risk of developing COPD is likely to have progressive COPD are provided. Methods, compositions, and kits for predicting whether lung function is likely to decline in a subject with COPD or at risk for developing COPD are also provided.

Abstract: Aptamers that bind PDGF and aptamers that bind VEGF are provided. In addition, aptamer constructs comprising a PDGF aptamer and a VEGF aptamer are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the aptamers and aptamer constructs are provided, as well as methods of treating conditions using the aptamers and aptamer constructs.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods, devices, reagents, and kits for the detection of one or more target molecules that may be present in a test sample. The described methods, devices, kits, and reagents facilitate the detection and quantification of a non-nucleic acid target (e.g., a protein target) in a test sample by detecting and quantifying a nucleic acid (i.e., an aptamer). The methods described create a nucleic acid surrogate for a non-nucleic acid target, thus allowing the wide variety of nucleic acid technologies, including amplification, to be applied to a broader range of desired targets, especially protein targets. The disclosure further describes aptamer constructs that facilitate the use of aptamers in a variety of analytical detection applications.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes the identification and use of aptamers and photoaptamers having slower dissociation rate constants than those obtained using previously described methods. Specifically, the present disclosure describes methods for the identification and use of aptamers to one or more targets within a histological or cytological sample, which have slow rates of dissociation. The aptamers may be used to assess localization, relative density, and presence or absence of one or more targets in cytological and histological samples. Targets may be selected that are specific and diagnostic of a given disease state for which the sample was collected. The aptamers may also be used to introduce target specific signal moieties. In addition to target identification, the aptamers may be used to amplify signal generation through a variety of methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of nucleic acids and, more particularly, to aptamers capable of binding to 4-1BB; pharmaceutical compositions comprising such 4-1BB aptamers; and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a slide assembly device having a static tooling base which is statically and solidly affixed to a base such as a table and a moveable tooling arm that is rotatable about a hinge connected to the static tooling base, so that moveable tooling arm rotates about the hinge in a manner similar to a book cover opening and closing. The embodiments further provide an upper slide chuck that is removably attachable to the moveable tooling arm and a lower slide receiver that is removably attachable to the static tooling base. The upper slide chuck is configured to hold an experimental slide via a vacuum mechanism to engagedly hold the experimental slide to the upper slide chuck while the moveable tooling arm is rotated about the hinge from an open-book position to a closed-book position.

Abstract: The present invention provides aptamers that specifically bind to the EGF receptor in a sample, and diagnostic and analytical methods using those aptamers.

Abstract: Aptamers that bind IL-6 are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising IL-6 aptamers are provided, as well as methods of treating conditions using the aptamers are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of nucleic acid chemistry, specifically to 5-position modified uridines as well as phosphoramidite and triphosphate derivatives thereof. The present disclosure also relates to methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: Methods, compositions, and kits for predicting whether a subject with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or at risk of developing COPD is likely to have progressive COPD are provided. Methods, compositions, and kits for predicting whether lung function is likely to decline in a subject with COPD or at risk for developing COPD are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of nucleic acids and, more particularly, to aptamers capable of binding to toxins produced by Clostridium difficile; diagnostic kits and methods comprising such aptamers; and methods of making and using such aptamers.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes biomarkers, methods, devices, reagents, systems, and kits for the evaluation of risk of a caradiovascular (CV) Event within 5 years. In one aspect, the disclosure provides biomarkers that can be used alone or in various combinations to evaluate risk of a CV event within 5 years. In another aspect, methods are provided for evaluating risk of a CV event within 5 years in an individual, where the methods include detecting, in a biological sample from an individual, at least one biomarker value corresponding to at least one biomarker selected from the group of biomarkers provided in Table 1. In a further aspect, methods are provided for evaluating the risk of a CV, where the methods include detecting, in a biological sample from an individual, at least one biomarker value corresponding to at least one biomarker selected from the group of biomarkers provided in Table 2.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes improved SELEX methods for producing aptamers that are capable of binding to target molecules and improved photoSELEX methods for producing photoreactive aptamers that are capable of both binding and covalently crosslinking to target molecules. Specifically, the present disclosure describes methods for producing aptamers and photoaptamers having slower dissociation rate constants than are obtained using prior SELEX and photoSELEX methods. The disclosure further describes aptamers and photoaptamers having slower dissociation rate constants than those obtained using prior methods. In addition, the disclosure describes aptamer constructs that include a variety of functionalities, including a cleavable element, a detection element, and a capture or immobilization element.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes the identification and use of aptamers and photoaptamers having slower dissociation rate constants than those obtained using previously described methods. Specifically, the present disclosure describes methods for the identification and use of aptamers to one or more targets within a histological or cytological sample, which have slow rates of dissociation. The aptamers may be used to assess localization, relative density, and presence or absence of one or more targets in cytological and histological samples. Targets may be selected that are specific and diagnostic of a given disease state for which the sample was collected. The aptamers may also be used to introduce target specific signal moieties. In addition to target identification, the aptamers may be used to amplify signal generation through a variety of methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods, devices, reagents, and kits for the detection of one or more target molecules that may be present in a test sample. In one embodiment, a test sample is contacted with an aptamer that includes a tag and has a specific affinity for a target molecule. An aptamer affinity complex that includes an aptamer bound to its target molecule is allowed to form. If the test sample contains the target molecule, an aptamer affinity complex will generally form in the test sample. The aptamer affinity complex is optionally converted to an aptamer covalent complex that includes an aptamer covalently bound to its target molecule. The aptamer affinity complex (or optional aptamer covalent complex) can then be detected and/or quantified using any of a variety of methods known to one skilled in the art, including using a solid support, using mass spectrometry, and using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR).

Abstract: Embodiments provide a slide assembly device having a static tooling base which is statically and solidly affixed to a base such as a table and a moveable tooling arm that is rotatable about a hinge connected to the static tooling base, so that moveable tooling arm rotates about the hinge in a manner similar to a book cover opening and closing. The embodiments further provide an upper slide chuck that is removably attachable to the moveable tooling arm and a lower slide receiver that is removably attachable to the static tooling base. The upper slide chuck is configured to hold an experimental slide via a vacuum mechanism to engagedly hold the experimental slide to the upper slide chuck while the moveable tooling arm is rotated about the hinge from an open-book position to a closed-book position.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of nucleic acids and, more particularly, to aptamers capable of binding to toxins produced by Clostridium difficile; diagnostic kits and methods comprising such aptamers; and methods of making and using such aptamers.

Abstract: Aptamers that bind IL-6 are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising IL-6 aptamers are provided, as well as methods of treating conditions using the aptamers are also provided.