Abstract: The invention encompasses compositions and methods which utilize a cell line comprising a stably integrated recombinant nucleic acid construct comprising a reporter gene operably lined to a recognition sequence for a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein and a stably integrated recombinant nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence encoding a fusion protein, the fusion protein comprising a sequence-specific DNA binding domain, wherein the DNA binding domain specifically binds the recognition sequence, and a conditionally active transactivation domain, wherein activation of the conditionally active transactivation domain is dependent on protein phosphorylation and/or protein: protein interaction, and wherein binding of the fusion protein to the recognition sequence results in transactivation of the reporter gene expression when the transactivation domain fused to the DNA binding domain is activated.

Abstract: A rectangular shape greeting card assembled from a flat sheet of paper, card-stock, cardboard or plastic with a hole, slit or both at the top for hanging and a gift/care package container at the bottom for a gift of any sort that can be hung from any bar, pole, rod, hook, knob or protrusion of any kind or it can be made through the process of injection molding with plastic.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting a target nucleic acid by linear amplification. The invention also relates to a method of detecting a target nucleic acid by amplification. The method of the invention includes the steps of forming at least a first cleavage structure comprising at least one flap, cleaving the cleavage structure with a cleavage means to release the at least one flap and detecting the at least one flap. In one embodiment of the invention, the method includes the additional steps of forming at least a second cleavage structure comprising the at least one released flap from the first cleavage structure cleaving the second cleavage structure with a cleavage means to release at least one flap from the second cleavage structure and detecting released flaps from the first or second cleavage structure.

Abstract: The invention encompasses compositions and methods which utilize a cell line comprising a stably integrated recombinant nucleic acid construct comprising: a reporter gene operably linked to a recognition sequence for a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein; and a stably integrated recombinant nucleic acid construct comprising a sequence encoding a fusion protein, the fusion protein comprising a sequence-specific DNA binding domain, wherein the DNA binding domain specifically binds the recognition sequence, and a conditionally active transactivation domain of CHOP, wherein binding of the fusion protein to the recognition sequence results in transactivation of the reporter gene when the transactivation domain fused to the DNA binding domain is activated.

Abstract: A flexible heating cover assembly for an apparatus for heating samples of biological material with substantial temperature uniformity includes a housing having a plurality of engageable enclosure components; a resistive heater having a plurality of heater element areas; a heater backing plate providing stability to the resistive heater; a force distribution system that distributes a force over the heater backing plate; and a support plate providing stiffness for the force distribution system, wherein the arrangement of the resistive heater, the heater backing plate, the force distribution system and the support plate provide substantial temperature uniformity among a plurality of sample tubes for receiving samples of biological material. The flexible heating cover assembly improves the uniformity, efficiency, quality, reliability and controllability of the thermal response during thermal cycling of the biological material.

Abstract: This invention provides improved electroporation methods for transferring nucleic acids of interest into host cells, wherein the host cells are (1) suspended in a substantially non-ionic solution comprising at least one sugar or sugar derivative, (2) mixed with the nucleic acids of interest, and (3) electrically treated. Also, this invention provides for kits used in the method for transferring nucleic acids into host cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to acyclic chain terminator nucleotide analogs. More particularly, the invention relates to phosphonomethoxyethyl nucleotide analogs and detectably labeled versions thereof, especially fluorescently labeled versions thereof. The invention further relates to the use of chain terminating phosphonomethoxyethyl nucleotide analogs in methods of synthesizing a polynucleotide, labeling a polynucleotide, determining polynucleotide sequence information, and kits therefor.

Abstract: A method of titering adeno-associated virus particles in a sample, said method comprising the steps of contacting target cells with a DNA synthesis inhibitor and an agent that increases the activity of the CMV immediate early promoter; contacting target cells treated as in step (a) with a sample containing adeno-associated virus particles; and determining the number of target cells infected by said adeno-associated virus particles in said sample, wherein said number of target cells infected is directly proportional to the titer of said particles in said sample, thereby determining the titer if said adeno-associated virus particles.

Abstract: The invention provides improved methods of introducing site-directed mutations into circular DNA molecules of interest by means of mutagenic primer pairs. The mutagenic primer pairs are also selected so as to be either completely complementary or partially complementary to each other, wherein the mutation site (or sites) is located within the region of complementarity. A mutagenic primer pair is annealed to opposite strands of a circular DNA molecule containing the DNA sequence to be mutagenized. After annealing, first and second mutagenized DNA strands, each incorporating a member of the mutagenic oligonucleotide primer pair is synthesized by a linear cyclic amplification reaction. After the linear cyclic amplification mediated synthesis step is completed, the reaction mixture is treated with a selection enzyme that digests the parental template strands. After the digesting step, a double-stranded circular DNA intermediate is formed.

Abstract: The invention provided herein includes novel gram negative bacteria cells containing the Hte mutation. Other aspects of the invention include methods for rendering gram negative bacterial cells bearing the Hte region, such as E. coli cells competent for DNA transformation using any of a variety of competency inducing procedures. The competent cells of the subject invention may be frozen so as to provide for prolonged storage.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel platinum-based compounds for labeling biomolecules. Platinum based labeling compounds according to the invention irreversibly attach to a target biomolecule via coordination of a platinum (II) metal center with N or S atoms on the target biomolecule. The invention relates to the novel compounds themselves, methods of making the platinum-based labeling compounds, probes labeled with such compounds, methods of making such labeled probes, and kits comprising the novel platinum-based labeling compounds and/or probes labeled with them. The invention also relates to methods of using probes labeled with platinum-based labeling compounds of the invention, particularly array and microarray hybridization methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant polynucleotides encoding the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) from R. reniformis, as well as polynucleotides encoding variants and fusion polypeptides of R. reniformis GFP. The invention further relates to vectors encoding R. Reniformis GFP and variants and fusions thereof, as well as to cells comprising and/or expressing such vectors. The invention also relates to recombinant R. reniformis GFP polypeptides and fusion polypeptides and variants thereof, as well as to methods of making and using such polypeptides both in vivo and in vitro.

Abstract: Provided are methods of generating electrocompetent bacterial cells, the methods involving the growth of the cells at hyperosmotic salt concentration. Also provided are methods of producing a transformed cell, methods of producing a recombinant polypeptide, and strains of E. coli that exhibit increased electrotransformation efficiency.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for nucleic acid PCR mutagenesis using novel error-prone DNA polymerases and a PCR enhancing factor. The invention also relates to compositions and methods for nucleic mutagenesis with two or more DNA polymerases lacking or exhibiting reduced exonuclease activity. The invention further relates to kit format of said compositions for PCR mutagenesis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying a nucleotide at a predetermined location on a target polynucleotide. The method involves single nucleotide extension reaction comprising an oligonucleotide primer comprising a first sequence and a second sequence or a tag. The method may further comprises a probe which hybridizes to the second sequence or an anti-tag molecule which interacts with the tag, where the hybridization or interaction causes a detectable signal transfer which is indicative of the identity of the nucleotide base at the predetermined location. The invention further provides compositions and kits for performing the subject method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel blends of chimeric and non-chimeric thermostable DNA polymerases for use in PCR, DNA sequencing and mutagenesis protocols. The invention allows for PCR reactions with shorter extension times that will facilitate PCR amplification of genomic DNA templates and improve the efficacy of long PCR.

Abstract: A flexible heating cover assembly for an apparatus for heating samples of biological material with substantial temperature uniformity includes a housing having a plurality of engageable enclosure components; a resistive heater having a plurality of heater element areas; a heater backing plate providing stability to the resistive heater; a force distribution system that distributes a force over the heater backing plate; and a support plate providing stiffness for the force distribution system, wherein the arrangement of the resistive heater, the heater backing plate, the force distribution system and the support plate provide substantial temperature uniformity among a plurality of sample tubes for receiving samples of biological material. The flexible heating cover assembly improves the uniformity, efficiency, quality, reliability and controllability of the thermal response during thermal cycling of the biological material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of transfer of a gene of interest from a first vector to a product vector comprising contacting a first and second vector in vitro with a site-specific recombinase so as to generate a co-integrate vector comprising the components of the first and second vector, and introducing the co-integrate vector to a prokaryotic host cell so as to generate a product vector by rolling circle replication, comprising the gene of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, kits, and methods for detecting polynucleotide sequence differences. The method involves amplifying a polynucleotide in the presence of a labeled nucleotide whose incorporation into the amplified product can indicate the presence of a sequence difference within the polynucleotide template. The invention is particularly useful for differentiating two or more closely related polynucleotide sequences, for example, in determining which allele or alleles of a multiallelic organism are present in a target polynucleotide.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermally cycling samples of a biological material including a thermal block assembly including a plurality of sample holders for receiving samples of biological material; a heat sink thermally coupled to the thermal block assembly, the heat sink transferring heat away from the thermal block assembly to ambient air in contact with the heat sink; a first heat source thermally coupled to the thermal block assembly to provide heat to the thermal block assembly; and a second heat source thermally coupled to the first heat source and configured to provide heat to a portion of the first heat source. The arrangement of the heat sink, first heat source and second heat source can provide substantial temperature uniformity among the plurality of sample holders. The invention also includes a method for thermally cycling samples of biological material.