Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of primers in polymerase chain reaction assays for the detection of a Fusarium proliferatum, F. verticillioides and F. subglutinans. Specific primers are identified as being useful for the identification of fungal isolates using PCR based techniques.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the design, fabrication, and uses of an electronic system which can actively carry out and control multi-step and multiplex reactions in macroscopic or microscopic formats. In particular, these reactions include molecular biological reactions, such as nucleic acid hybridizations, nucleic acid amplification, sample preparation, antibody/antigen reactions, clinical diagnostics, combinatorial chemistry and selection, drug screening, oligonucleotide and nucleic acid synthesis, peptide synthesis, biopolymer synthesis and catalytic reactions. A key feature of the present invention is the ability to control the localized concentration of two or more reaction-dependant molecules and their reaction environment in order to greatly enhance the rate and specificity of the molecular biological reaction.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for detecting a target analyte, by: (a) contacting one or more target analytes with a set of first and second binding reagents under conditions sufficient for binding of a target analyte with the first and second binding reagents, each of the first binding reagents containing a cleavage-inducing moiety and a target binding moiety, each of the second binding reagents containing a tagged probe having a mass modifier region attached to a target binding moiety by a cleavable linkage, the cleavable linkage being susceptible to cleavage when in proximity to an activated cleavage-inducing moiety; (b) activating the cleavage-inducing moiety to release a tag reporter, and (c) detecting a mass of the tag reporter, the mass uniquely corresponding to a known target analyte.

Abstract: A macro array comprises a film-shaped hard porous body and a plurality of spots, which contain test substances and are arrayed on the film-shaped hard porous body. The film-shaped hard porous body may be constituted of a surface layer region, which is provided with through-pores having a comparatively small mean pore diameter, and a base layer region, which is provided with through-pores having a comparatively large mean pore diameter. The surface of the film-shaped hard porous body, on which surface the spots are to be arrayed, may be coated with an auxiliary substance for promoting fixation of the test substances to the surface of the film-shaped hard porous body.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices for analyzing sequence variations in nucleic acid samples comprising multiple loci, each having two, three or more possible allelic sequences. The method involves combining at least a first and second pair of oligonucleotide probes with the nucleic acid sample. The first pair of probes is capable of hybridizing in proximity to each other within a segment of the nucleic acid sample comprising the first locus and the second pair is capable of hybridizing in proximity to each other within a segment of the nucleic acid sample comprising the second locus. The first member of each probe pair comprises a FRET donor and the second member comprises a FRET acceptor, the FRET acceptor of the first probe pair member having a different emission spectrum from the FRET acceptor of the second probe pair.

Abstract: The present invention provides a replicatable and hybridizable recombinant single-stranded RNA probe molecule comprising: a recognition sequence for the binding of an RNA-directed RNA polymerase; a sequence required for the initiation of product strand synthesis by the polymerase; and a heteroloqus RNA sequence inserted at a specific site in the internal region of the recombinant molecule and complementary to an oligo or polynucleotide of interest. This invention also provides methods for determining the presence of concentration of an oligo- or polynucleotide of interest in a sample and for simultaneously determining the presence or concentration of several different oligo- or polynucleotides of interest in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an approach to identify changes in gene expression by selective amplification of 3′ fragments of double stranded cDNAs.

Abstract: Methods of nucleic acid amplification with external controls are provided that verify the absence or presence of specific target sequences, and correct primers and probes. A single-stranded, external control polynucleotide is amplified with primers of the same sequence as target primers. Probes with detectable labels and sequences specific for target and external control polynucleotides allow for detection and measurement. The primers and the detectable probe are adjacent or substantially adjacent when hybridized to the external control polynucleotide. Target and control amplicons may be detected by increased fluorescence induced by polymerase-mediated 5′ nuclease cleavage or hybridization of a self-quenching probe complementary to both target and external control polynucleotides. A kit of PCR reagents can be dispensed into vessels for rapid and accurate nucleic acid amplification assay, with real-time or end-point measurements.

Abstract: Amplification primers and methods for specific amplification and detection of a pertussis toxin promoter target are disclosed. The primer-target binding sequences are useful for amplification and detection of Bordetella pertussis target in a variety of amplification and detection reactions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensitive test for objectively diagnosing the presence of Didymella bryoniae, the causative agent of gummy stem blight, and differentiating it from similar, nonpathogenic Phoma species. The assay is applicable to DNA isolated from extracts from plant leaves, stem or seed. The detection method employs a polymerase chain reaction technique, using specific oligonucleotide primers for amplification. PCR Products can be visualized using an ELISA-based colorimetric detection system.

Abstract: A multiplex assay is provided for the simultaneous detection and discrimination of pathogens that cause bacterial and viral meningitis.

Abstract: This invention is an integrated instrument for the high-capacity electrophoretic analysis of biopolymer samples. It comprises a specialized high-voltage, electrophoretic module in which the migration lanes are formed between a bottom plate and a plurality of etched grooves in a top plate, the module permitting concurrent separation of 80 or more separate samples. In thermal contact with the bottom plate is a thermal control module incorporating a plurality of Peltier heat transfer devices for the control of temperature and gradients in the electrophoretic medium. Fragments are detected by a transmission imaging spectrograph which simultaneously spatially focuses and spectrally resolves the detection region of all the migration lanes. The spectrograph comprises a transmission dispersion element and a CCD array to detect signals. Signal analysis comprises the steps of noise filtering, comparison in a configuration space with signal prototypes, and selection of the best prototype.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reducing the amount of substances inhibitory to nucleic acid hybridization in samples. The method is practiced prior to release of target nucleic acid from cells of interest and involves contacting the sample with an agent which solubilizes the inhibitory substances and does not effectuate release of nucleic acids from cells in the sample, and then the cells from the agent.

Abstract: A general stochastic method for synthesizing random oligomers on particles is disclosed. A further aspect of the invention relates to the use of identification tags on the particles to facilitate identification of the sequence of the monomers in the oligomer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the amplification of a base sequence A1A2 consisting of two successive base sequences, A1 and A2, in a single strand polynucleotide as an object to be amplified characterized in that said method comprising at least (1) hybridizing a probe B consisting of a polynucleotide comprising the base sequence B1 complementary to said base sequence A1, a polynucleotide comprising the base sequence B2 complementary to said base sequence A2 and a linkage portion linking the two polynucleotide via itself, with the base sequence A1A2 of said polynucleotide, as the object to be amplified, to form a hybrid, (2) ligating the 5'-end of the base sequence B1 in said probe B to the 3'-end of the base sequence B2 in the same with the aid of ligase, (3) heat denaturating the double strand formed said hybridization, (4) hybridizing said heat denaturated polynucleotide complex with another probe B or a probe A consisting of a polynucleotide comprising said base sequence A1, a polynucleotid

Abstract: An improved assay system for homogeneous assay detection and/or measuring target nucleic acid sequence replicated in a PCR amplification procedure is provided by employing a nucleic acid polymerase having 5' to 3' exonuclease activity and devoid of 3' to 5' exonuclease activity, oligonucleotide analytical probe blocked against chain extension at its 3' terminus and labeled at its 5' terminus with an energy transfer donor fluorophore, and oligonucleotide detection probe labeled at its 3' terminus with an energy transfer acceptor fluorophore, said probes being complements of each other but differing in nucleotide length so that their Tm's are at least 10.degree. C.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the presence, quantity, size, and location of corrosion causing pores and insulating films on metallic platings is described herein. With the plating acting as an anode, a coordinate array of electrochemical cells is formed by placing an electrolytic film on the plating and sequentially energizing a coordinate array of cathode conductors in the film. A digital voltmeter is connected to the plating anode and registers varying potentials as the cathode conductors are energized depending upon the presence, etc., of pores in and films on the plating. Information derived from the voltmeter output controls a printer, in one embodiment, to record the sequential output information. Correlation of the recorded information with the sequence in which the cathode conductors are energized indicates the location of the undesirable plating surface conditions.