Abstract: Described herein are methods, kits and systems for sample enrichment, multi-step library preparation, sample normalization, detection of sample biomolecules and combinations thereof. Enrichment and multi-step library preparation is described in the context of microfluidic workflows. Sample barcoding methods and kits are described for increasing sample throughput while reducing background in negative samples. Integrated microfluidic devices comprising sample processing unit cells coupled to an array of reaction sites are provided for integrated workflows.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, kits and systems for sample enrichment, multi-step library preparation, sample normalization, detection of sample biomolecules and combinations thereof. Enrichment and multi-step library preparation is described in the context of microfluidic workflows. Sample barcoding methods and kits are described for increasing sample throughput while reducing background in negative samples. Integrated microfluidic devices comprising sample processing unit cells coupled to an array of reaction sites are provided for integrated workflows.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, and kits for storing and enhancing the activity of polymerases and particularly thermostable polymerases. The methods comprise mixing a thermostable polymerase with at least one zwitterionic or ylide surfactant that has at least one PEO group. In another aspect the polymerase is mixed with a blocker such as PLURONIC® or TETRONIC® or an amine N-oxide derivative thereof. The thermostable polymerase may be reversibly inactivated by treatment with 2-(Methylsulfonyl)ethyl 4-nitrophenyl carbonate. Compositions and kits for performing the process according to the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, and kits for storing and enhancing the activity of polymerases and particularly thermostable polymerases. The methods comprise mixing a thermostable polymerase with at least one zwitterionic or ylide surfactant that has at least one PEO group. In another aspect the polymerase is mixed with a blocker such as PLURONIC® or TETRONIC® or an amine N-oxide derivative thereof. The thermostable polymerase may be reversibly inactivated by treatment with 2-(Methylsulfonyl)ethyl 4-nitrophenyl carbonate. Compositions and kits for performing the process according to the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, and kits for storing and enhancing the activity of polymerases and particularly thermostable polymerases. The methods comprise mixing a thermostable polymerase with at least one zwitterionic or ylide surfactant that has at least one PEO group. In another aspect the polymerase is mixed with a blocker such as PLURONIC® or TETRONIC® or an amine N-oxide derivative thereof. The thermostable polymerase may be reversibly inactivated by treatment with 2-(Methylsulfonyl)ethyl 4-nitrophenyl carbonate. Compositions and kits for performing the process according to the invention are also provided.

Abstract: A heat labile alkaline phosphatase enzyme and methods of using the same and kits including the same are disclosed. Specifically, a nucleotide sequence of, peptide sequence of, methods of using, and kits comprising, a heat labile alkaline phosphatase isolated from Colwellia psychrerythraea are provided. Methods of over-expression and purification of the recombinant alkaline phosphatase and mutants thereof are also disclosed. Methods of over-expressing and purifying commercially useful quantities of active recombinant heat labile alkaline phosphatase fusion enzymes from C. psychrerythraea, wherein the fusion enzymes comprise one or more heterologous leader sequences are disclosed. The disclosed C. psychrerythraea heat labile alkaline phosphatase has properties similar to shrimp alkaline phosphatase and can be substituted for shrimp alkaline phosphatase in assays involving the same.

Abstract: A heat labile alkaline phosphatase enzyme and methods of using the same and kits including the same are disclosed. Specifically, a nucleotide sequence of, peptide sequence of, methods of using, and kits comprising, a heat labile alkaline phosphatase isolated from Colwellia psychrerythraea are provided. Methods of over-expression and purification of the recombinant alkaline phosphatase and mutants thereof are also disclosed. Methods of over-expressing and purifying commercially useful quantities of active recombinant heat labile alkaline phosphatase fusion enzymes from C. psychrerythraea, wherein the fusion enzymes comprise one or more heterologous leader sequences are disclosed. The disclosed C. psychrerythraea heat labile alkaline phosphatase has properties similar to shrimp alkaline phosphatase and can be substituted for shrimp alkaline phosphatase in assays involving the same.

Abstract: A heat labile alkaline phosphatase enzyme and methods of using the same and kits including the same are disclosed. Specifically, a nucleotide sequence of, peptide sequence of, methods of using, and kits comprising, a heat labile alkaline phosphatase isolated from Colwellia psychrerythraea are provided. Methods of over-expression and purification of the recombinant alkaline phosphatase and mutants thereof are also disclosed. Methods of over-expressing and purifying commercially useful quantities of active recombinant heat labile alkaline phosphatase fusion enzymes from C. psychrerythraea, wherein the fusion enzymes comprise one or more heterologous leader sequences are disclosed. The disclosed C. psychrerythraea heat labile alkaline phosphatase has properties similar to shrimp alkaline phosphatase and can be substituted for shrimp alkaline phosphatase in assays involving the same.

Abstract: A heat labile alkaline phosphatase enzyme and methods of using the same and kits including the same are disclosed. Specifically, a nucleotide sequence of, peptide sequence of, methods of using, and kits comprising, a heat labile alkaline phosphatase isolated from Colwellia psychrerythraea are provided. Methods of over-expression and purification of the recombinant alkaline phosphatase and mutants thereof are also disclosed. Methods of over-expressing and purifying commercially useful quantities of active recombinant heat labile alkaline phosphatase fusion enzymes from C. psychrerythraea, wherein the fusion enzymes comprise one or more heterologous leader sequences are disclosed. The disclosed C. psychrerythraea heat labile alkaline phosphatase has properties similar to shrimp alkaline phosphatase and can be substituted for shrimp alkaline phosphatase in assays involving the same.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for performing nucleic acid duplication and amplification reactions are provided. A single-stranded nucleic acid binding protein is selected and provided in the reaction mixture which is assembled at a low, nonstringent temperature to include all of the necessary reagents for successful nucleic acid duplication or amplification reactions. By incorporating a single-stranded nucleic acid binding protein into the reaction mixture at low temperature, the generation of nonspecific products such as amplification products is improved despite the reaction mixture having been fully assembled at a nonstringent temperature.

Abstract: Methods and kits for measuring the length of the poly(A) tail of selected target mRNA are disclosed herein. In preferred aspects the mRNA population is modified by addition of a tail comprising guanosine and inosine (G/I tailing). The added tail is used as a priming site for reverse transcription. The resulting cDNA is then amplified using one or more target specific primers and a universal primer that recognizes the tailed region. The products are separated according to size and the size is used to estimate the polyA tail length.

Abstract: A heat labile alkaline phosphatase enzyme and methods of using the same and kits including the same are disclosed. Specifically, a nucleotide sequence of, peptide sequence of, methods of using, and kits comprising, a heat labile alkaline phosphatase isolated from Colwellia psychrerythraea are provided. Methods of over-expression and purification of the recombinant alkaline phosphatase and mutants thereof are also disclosed. Methods of over-expressing and purifying commercially useful quantities of active recombinant heat labile alkaline phosphatase fusion enzymes from C. psychrerythraea, wherein the fusion enzymes comprise one or more heterologous leader sequences are disclosed. The disclosed C. psychrerythraea heat labile alkaline phosphatase has properties similar to shrimp alkaline phosphatase and can be substituted for shrimp alkaline phosphatase in assays involving the same.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for performing nucleic acid duplication and amplification reactions are provided. A single-stranded nucleic acid binding protein is selected and provided in the reaction mixture which is assembled at a low, nonstringent temperature to include all of the necessary reagents for successful nucleic acid duplication or amplification reactions. By incorporating a single-stranded nucleic acid binding protein into the reaction mixture at low temperature, the generation of nonspecific products such as amplification products is improved despite the reaction mixture having been fully assembled at a nonstringent temperature.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for performing nucleic acid duplication and amplification reactions are provided. A single-stranded nucleic acid binding protein is selected and provided in the reaction mixture which is assembled at a low, nonstringent temperature to include all of the necessary reagents for successful nucleic acid duplication or amplification reactions. By incorporating a single-stranded nucleic acid binding protein into the reaction mixture at low temperature, the generation of nonspecific products such as amplification products is improved despite the reaction mixture having been fully assembled at a nonstringent temperature.