Abstract: This invention relates to use of oligonucleotides having at least one nucleotide that is substituted at the 4'-position of the sugar moiety with a substituent other than hydrogen as nucleotide probes in methods for detecting the presence or amount of a polynucleotide analyte in a sample suspected of containing the polynucleotide analyte. These oligonucleotides can also be packaged in diagnostic assay kits.

Abstract: Method and compositions are provided for analyzing nucleic acid sequences based on repeated cycles of duplex extension along a single stranded template. Preferably, such extension starts from a duplex formed between an initializing oligonucleotide and the template. The initializing oligonucleotide is extended in an initial extension cycle by ligating an oligonucleotide probe to its end to form an extended duplex. The extended duplex is then repeatedly extended by subsequent cycles of ligation. During each cycle, the identity of one or more nucleotides in the template is determined by a label on, or associated with, a successfully ligated oligonucleotide probe. Preferably, the oligonucleotide probe has a blocking moiety, e.g. a chain-terminating nucleotide, in a terminal position so that only a single extension of the extended duplex takes place in a single cycle. The duplex is further extended in subsequent cycles by removing the blocking moiety and regenerating an extendable terminus.

Abstract: A process for the electrophoretic analysis of DNA fragments produced in DNA sequencing operations wherein chromophores or fluorophores are used to tag the DNA fragments produced by the sequencing chemistry and permit the detection and characterization of the fragments as they are resolved by electrophoresis through a gel. Preferably four different fragment sets are tagged with the fluorophores fluorescein, Texas Red, tetramethyl rhodamine, and 7-nitro-benzofurazan. A system for the electrophoretic analysis of DNA fragments produced in DNA sequencing operations comprising: a source of chromophore or fluorescent tagged DNA fragments; a zone for contacting an electrophoresis gel; means for introducing said tagged DNA fragments to said zone; and photometric means for monitoring said tagged DNA fragments as they move through said gel.

Abstract: A synthetic strategy for the creation of large scale chemical diversity. Solid-phase chemistry, photolabile protecting groups, and photolithography are used to achieve light-directed spatially-addressable parallel chemical synthesis. Binary masking techniques are utilized in one embodiment. A reactor system, photoremovable protective groups, and improved data collection and handling techniques are also disclosed. A technique for screening linker molecules is also provided.

Abstract: A pre-coelenterazine peptide comprising a modified A. victoria GFP having an amino acid sequence in which Ser.sup.65 is replaced with Tyr. There is further provided a polynucleotide encoding the pre-coelenterazine peptide, allowing synthesis of large, pure amounts of coelenterazine.

Abstract: There is disclosed a quantitative sensitive method to enable the detection of point mutations at a known site to a diagnostic kit which uses a multi step (for example, four steps) or a single step reaction. The method uses selective polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of mutant test gene sequences involving first stage amplification of both mutant and wild-type sequences, first stage restriction enzyme digestion of only wild-type sequences, second stage amplification of undigested amplified fragments enriched in mutant sequences and second stage digestion of previously undigested wild-type sequences. Long and short tail primers are used in the first and second stages of amplification respectively to enable selective amplification (in the second stage) of only previously amplified material and none of the original test genomic DNA.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for determining whether a target nucleic acid sequence is present in a sample and methods for determining the amount of a target nucleic acid sequence present in a sample using flow-through hybridisation technology. This invention also provides different embodiments of these methods. Finally, this invention also provides devices where these methods are carried out.

Abstract: A computer system for analyzing nucleic acid sequences is provided. The computer system is used to calculate probabilities for determining unknown bases by analyzing the fluorescence intensities of hybridized nucleic acid probes on biological chips. Additionally, information from multiple experiments is utilized to improve the accuracy of calling unknown bases.

Abstract: Briefly stated, the present invention provides novel compositions and methods for detecting target nucleic acid sequences utilizing adjacent sequence-enzyme molecules. Within one aspect of the present invention, oligonucleotide-enzyme fusion molecules are provided, comprising an enzyme capable of cleaving scissile linkages and an oligonucleotide having the structure (NA.sub.1).sub.x --S.sub.z --(NA.sub.2).sub.y wherein NA.sub.1 and NA.sub.2 are nucleic acid sequences, S is a scissile nucleic acid linkage, x, y and z are integers from 1 to 100 and n is an integer from 1 to 10.

Abstract: Fluorescent labels are provided employing energy absorber/donor components and energy acceptor/fluorescer components joined together by a spacer which comprises sugar phosphate monomeric units, particularly ribosyl phosphate monomeric units, where the sugar groups are free of active hydroxyl groups. Particularly, an energy transfer component is substituted at the 5' position of the spacer chain, while the other energy transfer component is substituted at the 1' position of the 3' terminal ribosyl group of the label forming an ET cassette for linking to a nucleic acid sequence with any compositions. By employing combinations of ET components, with a common energy absorber/donor and different fluorescers, one can provide for families of labels which can be tagged to any target molecules and which can be excited at a single wavelength and fluoresce at different wavelengths with large Stokes shifts. The compositions find particular application in sequencing.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions useful for rapidly freeing precursor ribosomal RNA from mycobacterial cells. The methods and compositions further result in detectable levels of ribosomal RNA precursors that are not degraded.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting and discriminating multiple analytes within a test sample which are rapid, accurate, and convenient enough for routine use in a clinical laboratory. In particular, the present invention provides methods and apparatus for permitting multiple PCR-amplified target nucleic acid sequence hybrids within a single sample, labeled with different fluorescent dyes, to be spectrally distinguished using the read-out data directly from a fluorescence reader instrument.

Abstract: According to the process of the invention, sets of restriction fragments from the DNA of an individual are prepared, these restriction fragments being separated by size. Probes are prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis of DNA from a genome bank of the species to which this individual belongs, separation of the fragments obtained as a function of their size, labeling these probes and placing them in contact, under hybridization conditions, with the aforementioned sets of restriction fragments. Finally, selection is made of the probes (capable of hybridizing with said set of restriction fragments) which do not give hybridization profiles identical to those obtained with known probes recognizing variable number tandem repeat regions. Applications for the probes thus obtained include, particularly, processes for identifying an individual, consanguinity testing, and investigating the origin of a seed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of nucleic acid sequence analysis based on repeated cycles of ligation to and cleavage of probes at the terminus of a target polynucleotide. At each such cycle one or more terminal nucleotides are identified and one or more nucleotides are removed from the end of the target polynucleotide, such that further cycles of ligation and cleavage can take place. At each cycle the target sequence is shortened by one or more nucleotides until the nucleotide sequence of the target polynucleotide is determined. The method obviates electrophoretic separation of similarly sized DNA fragments and eliminates the difficulties associated with the detection and analysis of spatially overlapping bands of DNA fragments in a gel, or like medium. The invention further obviates the need to generate DNA fragments from long single stranded templates with a DNA polymerase.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and oligonucleotide probe compositions useful for determining antibiotic resistance in Mycobacteria. Included are methods for freeing intact precursor ribosomal RNA from mycobacterial cells and for assaying the levels of pre-rRNA in the cells. Also claimed are methods useful in discovering new anti-mycobacterial therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to human papillomaviruses HPV, particularly to HPV-DNAs isolated from papillomaviruses HPV-2d, HPV-10b, HPV-14a, HPV-14b, HPV-15, HPV-17a, HPV-17b, HPV-19, HPV-20, HPV-21, HPV-22, HPV-23, HPV-24, HPV-28, HPV-29, HPV-31, HPV-32, HPV-IP2 and HPV-IP4. The invention also relates to DNA capable of hybridizing with the HPV-DNAs or fragments thereof, to kits containing distinct groups of probes containing one or more of these HPV-DNAs or fragments thereof, and to procedures for detecting and identifying HPV in tissue.

Abstract: A method of simultaneous determination of the identity of nucleotide bases at specific positions in nucleic acids of interest, which includes (a) treating a sample containing the nucleic acids of interest to obtain unpaired nucleotide bases spanning the specific positions, if the nucleic acids are not already single stranded; (b) contacting the unpaired nucleotide bases with combinations of various marked oligonucleotide primers each for hybridizing with a stretch of nucleotide bases present in each nucleic acid of interest immediately adjacent the nucleotide base to be identified, so as to form a duplex between the primer and the nucleic acid of interest such that the nucleotide base to be identified is the first unpaired base in the template immediately 5' of the nucleotide base annealed with the 3'-end of the primer in the duplex; (c) contacting the duplex with the reagent which includes an aqueous carrier, and at least one primer extension unit, the primer extension unit including an extension moiety a se

Abstract: A method for binding a target polynucleotide in a sample is provided. The method uses an assay reagent which is a substrate noncovalently bound to a hydrophobic moiety which is part of a polynucleotide capture probe. This assay reagent is contacted with the sample under conditions which permit hybridization between said capture probe and said target polynucleotide, thereby binding the target polynucleotide.

Abstract: The present invention provides new methods, employing a nucleotide integrase, for cleaving double-stranded and single stranded DNA substrates at specific sites and for attaching nucleic acid molecules to the cleaved DNA substrates. One method uses a nucleotide integrase to cleave one strand of a double-stranded DNA and to concomitantly attach a nucleic acid molecule to the cleaved strand. Another method uses a nucleotide integrase to cleave both strands of a double-stranded DNA substrate and to attach a nucleic acid molecule to one strand of the DNA substrate. Another method uses a nucleotide integrase to cleave both strands of a double-stranded DNA substrate and to attach an RNA molecule to one strand of the substrate and for attaching a cDNA to the other strand of the substrate. Another method cleaves single stranded DNA with the concomitant insertion of a nucleic acid molecule at the cleavage point.

Abstract: The invention describes a new method to sequence DNA. The improvements over the existing DNA sequencing technologies are high speed, high throughput, no electrophoresis and gel reading artifacts due to the complete absence of an electrophoretic step, and no costly reagents involving various substitutions with stable isotopes. The invention utilizes the Sanger sequencing strategy and assembles the sequence information by analysis of the nested fragments obtained by base-specific chain termination via their different molecular masses using mass spectrometry, as for example, MALDI or ES mass spectrometry. A further increase in throughput can be obtained by introducing mass-modifications in the oligonucleotide primer, chain-terminating nucleoside triphosphates and/or in the chain-elongating nucleoside triphosphates, as well as using integrated tag sequences which allow multiplexing by hybridization of tag specific probes with mass differentiated molecular weights.