Abstract: A sample containing nucleic acid molecules is mixed with a same volume of reagent such as isopropanol to render the nucleic acid molecules insoluble. This solution containing the nucleic acid molecules in insoluble condition is introduced into a flow cell and exposed therein to light from a light source. Scattered light from the nucleic acid molecules is detected by light sensors and analyzed by a computer.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for diagnosing Trypanosoma cruzi infection, or for screening for T. cruzi or Leishmania infection, are disclosed. The disclosed compounds are polypeptides, or antibodies thereto, that contain one or more antigenic epitopes of T. cruzi proteins. The compounds are useful in a variety of immunoassays for detecting T. cruzi infection. The polypeptide compounds are further useful in vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions for preventing Chagas' disease in individuals exposed to T cruzi.

Abstract: A new mutation has been found in the BRCA1 gene. The mutation is a two base pair deletion at nucleotides 3888 and 3889 of the published cDNA sequence of BRCA1 (GENBANK ACCESSION NO:U14680). The invention provides a method for diagnosing persons at risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. The invention also provides a further tool with which to characterize tumors.

Abstract: Oligonucleotides are provided which are targeted to human papillomavirus E2 transactivator messenger RNA. Such oligonucleotides can be used for diagnostics and therapeutics as well as for research purposes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dry solid medium for storage of genetic material, including RNA and DNA, in a form suitable for subsequent analysis. The invention also provides a dry solid medium including components which function in subsequent analysis of the genetic material using, for example, PCR, reverse transcriptase initiated PCR, LCR, RFLP, or genetic hybridization. The components for subsequent analysis include, for example, nucleotide sequences such as a primer and a target sequence stabilizer. The invention further provides methods for using the dry solid medium of the invention. The invention and methods thereof are particularly suited for analysis in automated systems.

Abstract: Method for the specific detection of nucleic acids in a sample by reaction of the sample with one or several labelled nucleotide triphosphates and one or several enzymes which catalyse the production of a labelled nucleic acid B which contains this nucleotide, non-thermally denaturation, reacting the sample with a nucleic acid probe C which is sufficiently complementary to nucleic acid B and which contains at least one immobilizable group, if desired, contacting the nucleic acid hybrid D formed with a solid phase which recognizes and binds the immobilizable group, removing the liquid from the solid phase and determining the label on the solid phase as a measure for the presence of the nucleic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for rapidly determining the sequence and/or length a target sequence. The target sequence may be a series of known or unknown repeat sequences which are hybridized to an array of probes. The hybridized array is digested with a single-strand nuclease and free 3'-hydroxyl groups extended with a nucleic acid polymerase. Nuclease cleaved heteroduplexes can be easily distinguish from nuclease uncleaved heteroduplexes by differential labeling. Probes and target can be differentially labeled with detectable labels. Matched target can be detected by cleaving resulting loops from the hybridized target and creating free 3-hydroxyl groups. These groups are recognized and extended by polymerases added into the reaction system which also adds or releases one label into solution. Analysis of the resulting products using either solid phase or solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of human genetics. Specifically, the present invention relates to methods and materials used to isolate and detect a human breast and ovarian cancer predisposing gene (BRCA1), some mutant alleles of which cause susceptibility to cancer, in particular breast and ovarian cancer. More specifically, the invention relates to germline mutations in the BRCA1 gene and their use in the diagnosis of predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer. The present invention further relates to somatic mutations in the BRCA1 gene in human breast and ovarian cancer and their use in the diagnosis and prognosis of human breast and ovarian cancer. Additionally, the invention relates to somatic mutations in the BRCA1 gene in other human cancers and their use in the diagnosis and prognosis of human cancers. The invention also relates to the therapy of human cancers which have a mutation in the BRCA1 gene, including gene therapy, protein replacement therapy and protein mimetics.

Abstract: The present invention concerns in situ polymerase chain reaction and provides methods and reagents for identifying cells containing at least one selected nucleic acid sequence which may be derived from the human immunodeficiency virus.

Abstract: A method of assay for target polynucleotides includes steps of isolating target polynucleotides from extraneous non-target polynucleotides, debris, and impurities and amplifying the target polynucleotide.

Abstract: Device for the treatment of nucleic acids from the sample, comprising a first reaction chamber for separating the nucleic acids from other sample components, and a second reaction chamber for the amplification of the nucleic acids, connected to said first reaction chamber via a controllable transport path.

Abstract: A therapeutic or diagnostic agent according to the invention contains as active substance at least one nucleic acid which hybridizes with a Pax gene or at least one Pax protein or at least one antibody against a Pax protein or a derivative thereof. The agents according to the invention are used in tumour diagnosis or/and tumour therapy as well as an antisense nucleic acid for the inhibition of gene expression.

Abstract: The present invention provides mammalian protein tyrosine phosphatases, human PTP-BAS type 4, human PTP-BAS type 5a and mouse PTP-BAS type 5b, each of which is a Fas-associated protein (FAP), nucleic acid molecules encoding a PTP-BAS type 4 or a PTP-BAS type 5 and antibodies specific for a PTP-BAS type 4 or for a PTP-BAS type 5. The invention also provides methods for identifying FAP's, which can associate with Fas and can modulate apoptosis. The invention also provides screening assays for identifying an agent that can effectively alter the association of a FAP with Fas and, therefore, can increase or decrease the level of apoptosis in a cell. The invention further provides methods of modulating apoptosis in a cell by introducing into the cell a nucleic acid molecule encoding a PTP-BAS or an antisense nucleotide sequence, which is complementary to a portion of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a PTP-BAS.

Abstract: Combinations of polymerization, non-competitive hybridization and assay techniques is disclosed. In one aspect of the method, one member of a regular or anchored primer pair is modified to include a coupling agent capable of forming a tight bond (resistant to uncoupling in an alkaline denaturing environment) with a reactant. Competitive PCR is performed and the PCR products are coupled via the coupling agent to a reactant on the surface of a solid phase support. The bond between the reactant and the solid phase support in this and all embodiments is also resistant to uncoupling in an alkaline denaturing environment. In another aspect of the method, a primer is tightly coupled to the bound reactant and a polymerization of the competitor and target nucleic acids is performed on the solid phase. A third embodiment uses at least three primers, one of which is internal to the PCR templates and is bound to the solid phase support on which the entire PCR takes place.

Abstract: A method of prognosing a head-injured subject or a subject who may be at risk of sustaining a head injury for the likelihood that a head injury might give rise to a chronic neurodegenerative pathology which could result in neuropsychological, psychiatric or neurological deficits, the method comprising detecting the presence or absence of ApoE isoforms or of DNA encoding ApoE isoforms in the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides various novel covalently modified sapphyrin derivatives and conjugates; polymers including sapphyrin or derivatives thereof; and chromatographic supports including sapphyrins and other expanded porphyrins and derivatives thereof. Disclosed are water soluble sapphyrins, including polyhydroxysapphyrins and sapphyrin-sugar derivatives; sapphyrin-metal chelating conjugates; sapphyrin nucleobase conjugates; oligosapphyrins and polysapphyrins, including sapphyrin dimers, trimers, oligomers and higher polymers; and polymer supported expanded porphyrin compositions, including advantageous rubyrin- and sapphyrin-based chromatography columns and electrophoretic supports. Sapphyrin oligomers and polymers and polymer supported expanded porphyrins, such as, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for evaluating a biological sample for the presence or absence of human parainfluenza virus 1 (HPIV-1) infection and for the quantitation of HPIV-1. This method comprises the steps of isolating RNA from a biological sample, creating cDNA from the isolated RNA, exposing the cDNA to a pair of oligonucleotide primers selected from sequences from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1-9 and inverse complements of SEQ ID NOs:1-9 under conditions in the which the primers will amplify a human parainfluenza-1 sequence if the human parainfluenza-1 virus is present, and determining whether the amplified sequence is present by EHA. The present invention is also a kit for the detection and quantitation of parainfluenza virus 1 and a kit for the detection of parainfluenza virus-1, 2 and 3 genomic RNA.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting the presence of a nucleotide sequence within a double-stranded DNA in a sample comprising: a. digesting the double-stranded DNA with an exonuclease which converts at least a portion of the double-stranded DNA to single-stranded DNA; b. hybridizing the single-stranded DNA with i) a first nucleic acid probe adapted with a moiety which can be captured to a solid support, and ii) a second nucleic acid probe labeled with a detectable moiety which can hybridize with the single-stranded DNA adjacent the hybridized first nucleic acid probe; c. ligating the hybridized first and second nucleic acid probes; d. capturing the moiety on the first nucleic acid probe hybridized to the DNA to the solid support; e. denaturing the ligated first and second nucleic acid probes from the hybridized single-stranded DNA; f. removing uncaptured labeled probe; and, g.

Abstract: Method for sequencing DNA which includes the following steps: providing a polynucleotide primer complementary to a region of the DNA to be sequenced providing the DNA to be sequenced, and contacting that primer and DNA together in the presence of a DNA polymerase and between 1 and 3 dNTPs, at least one of the dNTPs being labeled. The primer and DNA are contacted under conditions which allow extension of the primer by addition of one or more of the dNTPs to the primer to form an extended primer. The primer and DNA are then dissociated, generally by heating, and the contacting and dissociating steps repeated a plurality of times (usually 10-200 times). Finally, the extended primer is contacted with the DNA in the presence of a DNA polymerase (which is generally the same polymerase as used in the initial labeling step) all four dNTPs and a chain terminating agent.

Abstract: A method and kit for detecting breast cancer cells is disclosed, which is not only as convenient and noninvasive as conventional cytological examination, but also is more accurate and objective than cytological examination. The invention establishes a method for detecting breast cancer cells, wherein the method judges cells examined to be breast cancer cells when aneusomy is detected on 1) either chromosome 1 or chromosome 11 or both, 2) either chromosome 1 or chromosome 17 or both or 3) at least any one of chromosomes 1, 11 and 17 of the cell sample.