Abstract: This invention relates to improved methods and compositions for conducting Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) to separate molecules on the basis of their respective size or charge.

Abstract: Methods for determining the presence of an analyte in a sample are disclosed, in which a capture agent is bound to the analyte at a first epitope and a detection agent is bound at a second epitope, and in which the detection agent includes an oligonucleotide to which a labeled, complementary oligonucleotide can be hybridized.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved methods and compositions for conducting Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) to separate molecules on the basis of their respective size or charge.

Abstract: This invention relates to spotting solutions for the production of assay articles with uniform spot size and morphology for the detection of biopolymers, comprising N-lauroyl sarcosine in a buffered solution. Optionally the spotting solution may further comprise a fluorophore or a dye. This invention further provides means for non-destructive quality control of the production of said assay articles. This invention further provides means for non-destructive quality control of the production of said assay articles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a useful system for assays that comprises a solid support, a plurality of capture oligonucleotides immobilized onto the solid support, and complementary oligonucleotides attached to capture ligands. A detectable label can be directly attached to the capture oligonucleotides or the complementary oligonucleotides. The labeled oligonucleotides can be detected, and used to determine the quality of the assay. A labeled detector ligand corresponding to a target ligand can also be independently detected apart from the labeled oligonucleotide.

Abstract: The ability to efficiently determine the state of enzyme expression in cells has long been desired as material to the diagnosis of disease. This invention relates to cytoenzymology, and more particularly to improved reagents for use in cell-based assays, especially those using fluorogenic substrates.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system using internal reference spots to reduce microarray assay variation. A microarray device for quantifying a plurality of target ligands in a sample includes a solid support having a plurality of test areas; a plurality of different target capture ligands immobilized onto the test areas; and at least one reference capture ligand immobilized onto the test areas. The reference capture ligand captures a reference ligand not normally present in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a useful system for assays that comprises a solid support, a plurality of capture oligonucleotides immobilized onto the solid support, and complementary oligonucleotides attached to capture ligands. A detectable label can be directly attached to the capture oligonucleotides or the complementary oligonucleotides. The labeled oligonucleotides can be detected, and used to determine the quality of the assay. A labeled detector ligand corresponding to a target ligand can also be independently detected apart from the labeled oligonucleotide.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved methods and compositions for conducting Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) to separate molecules on the basis of their respective size or charge.

Abstract: Processes for the solid state phase formation synthesis of biomolecule conjugates, particularly protein-oligonucleotide conjugates are shown. One of the protein or oligonucleotide is reversibly bound to a solid substrate phase. At least one portion of each of the protein and the oligonucleotide molecules is activated with complementary activation groups. The activated protein and the activated oligonucleotide are then reacted, in a buffered solution resulting in the formation of the desired conjugate which remains reversibly bound to the substrate. The nature of the buffered solution is then modified causing the conjugate to be released from the substrate solid phase.

Abstract: Oligonucleotide probes, kits, and methods useful for detecting a polynucleotide target in a sample are provided. The method, a mixture is formed by combining a polynucleotide target sample, a first probe that is complementary to the polynucleotide target and having a first fluorescent donor or fluorescent acceptor; and a second probe that is partially complementary to the first probe and having a second fluorescent donor or fluorescent acceptor. The second probe competes with the polynucleotide target for binding to the first probe and the first probe preferentially binds to the polynucleotide target rather than to the second probe. The-first fluorescent donor or acceptor and second fluorescent donor or acceptor form a donor/acceptor pair capable of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) with each other in response to activation of the fluorescent donor by light of a predetermined wavelength or band of wavelengths.

Abstract: Oligonucleotide probes, kits, and methods useful for detecting a polynucleotide target in a sample are provided. The method, a mixture is formed by combining a polynucleotide target sample, a first probe that is complementary to the polynucleotide target and having a first fluorescent donor or fluorescent acceptor; and a second probe that is partially complementary to the first probe and having a second fluorescent donor or fluorescent acceptor. The second probe competes with the polynucleotide target for binding to the first probe, and the first probe preferentially binds to the polynucleotide target rather than to the second probe. The first fluorescent donor or acceptor and second fluorescent donor or acceptor form a donor/acceptor pair capable of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) with each other in response to activation of the fluorescent donor by light of a predetermined wavelength or band of wavelengths.

Abstract: This invention provides a system for immobilizing biological molecules onto a solid support having an available amino group that uses two steps. In a first step, a nucleophilic substitution reaction occurs so that the available amino group displaces a first leaving group of an activating compound to form an activated support.

Abstract: Formamide with low conductivity and a neutral or slightly basic pH is provided. Such formamide may be used in a sample loading solution for capillary electrophoretic separation of biomolecular analytes to enhance the efficiency of sample injection into the capillary and the intensity of the signal. Formamide of the present invention may be obtained by first purifying the formamide to a conductivity of below 7 micro mho, and then adjusting the pH of the purified formamide with a base to a range of about pH 6.5 to 7.5. The purification may be carried out by first removing the water from the formamide, and then distilling the dried formamide until the conductivity of formamide is below about 7 micro mho.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is provided that is useful in differentiating between solutes, such as during electrophoretic separations. An embodiment of the article is a capillary tube, that carries a polymer along the inner wall of the capillary tube. The polymer is effective to reduce undesired interactions and preferably includes a polylactam that is absorbed to the surface before the surface is exposed to the solutes. A preferred polylactam is poly(vinylpyrrolidone) with a molecular weight greater than about 1,000,000 daltons (weight-average).

Abstract: This invention provides cyclic-bridged dyes, particularly cyclic-bridged cyanine dyes, of the general formula: In this formula, each dotted line represents carbon atoms necessary to form a fused substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring; n=1-18; m=1-18, selected independently from n. X and Y are selected independently from the group consisting of S, O, N, CH2 and C(CH3)2; at least one of said R1 and R2 comprises a sulfonic acid or sulfonate group attached to the aromatic ring; and R3 and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of carboxyl, activated carboxyl and methyl, wherein at least one of said R3 and R4 groups is carboxylate or activated carboxylate. Methods of making and using the cyclic-bridged dyes are also provided.

Abstract: Reagents and methods for preparing samples containing both biomolecule analytes and macrobiomolecules for capillary electrophoresis separation are provided. The reagents comprise a branched polymer. When mixed with a sample containing both biomolecule analytes and macrobiomolecules, particularly DNA templates, the branched polymer of the reagent can suppress the entrance of the macrobiomolecules into a capillary electrophoresis tube during electrokinetic injection of the sample into the capillary electrophoresis tube.

Abstract: Activating groups based on N-hydroxynaphthalimide, are disclosed herein. The activating groups can mediate the coupling of labeling moieties, such as biotin or cyanine dyes, to a variety of components, including chain terminators, nucleoside triphosphates, and oligonucleotides, which are used in nucleotide sequencing. From these activating groups, activated esters of the labeling moieties can be prepared. The activated esters react with a component, for example a derivatized nucleotide chain terminator, to give a labeled component. In additions, methods of the present invention provide for labeling a nucleoside triphosphate in organic media. The activating groups and methods of the present invention allow the activation and coupling reactions to occur at a much higher yield, compared with the prior art.

Abstract: Universal solid support oligonucleotide synthesis reagents, oligonucleotide synthesis processes, and reagents for cleaving oligonucleotides from solid supports are disclosed. Oligonucleotide synthesis reagents have the following general formula:SS--R.sup.6 --O--R.sup.3 Iwherein SS is a solid support; R.sup.6 is ##STR1## where R.sup.5 is hydrogen or alkyl and R.sup.4 is a phosphate protecting group; and R.sup.3 is a ring moiety having vicinal groups --XR.sup.1 and --YR.sup.2 wherein each of X and Y is independently selected from the group consisting of O, S and NH and one of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is a blocking moiety and the other is hydrogen or a hydroxy protecting group. Oligonucleotide cleaving reagents include methylamine and/or ammonium hydroxide and trimethylamine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are N.sup.4 protected deoxycytidines for use in the synthesis of oligonucleotides, the protecting groups being represented by the formula: --CO--(CH.sub.2).sub.0-9 --CH.sub.3. Preferred embodiments are N.sup.4 acetyl deoxycytidines and include N.sup.4 acetyl deoxycytidine phosphoramidites and N.sup.4 acetyl deoxycytidine H-phosphonates. When used to prepare oligonucleotides the protected deoxycytidine compounds provide high quality oligonucleotide products with little side product from cleavage and deprotection reactions carried out with alkyl amine compounds.