Abstract: Provided is a masking system of masks for use with multiwell plates such as microtiter plates to facilitate sample dispensing and assay accuracy, especially when dispensing more than one solution into the wells. One or more masks, adapted in size to fit snugly over a multiwell plate and the mask formed with openings each aligned with a subset of one or more wells of the plate beneath, aids the user in sample and/or reagent administration. Advantageously, the masks contain registration aids so that proper orientation with respect to the plate below is achieved; the registration aid may be a cut corner, registration peg or mark, or visual marking or stamping.

Abstract: Provided is a masking system of masks for use with multiwell plates such as microtiter plates to facilitate sample dispensing and assay accuracy, especially when dispensing more than one solution into the wells. One or more masks, adapted in size to fit snugly over a multiwell plate and the mask formed with openings each aligned with a subset of one or more wells of the plate beneath, aids the user in sample and/or reagent administration. Advantageously, the masks contain registration aids so that proper orientation with respect to the plate below is achieved; the registration aid may be a cut corner, registration peg or mark, or visual marking or stamping.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed that provide for the preservation of living human and other cells at room temperature or higher temperatures which can be applied to research, medical and defense applications. These methods represent a significant improvement relative to currently used methods that employ preservation at cryogenic temperatures. Using these methods, living human and other cells can be stored at room temperature or higher, and subsequently be recovered as living cells capable of dividing and exhibiting other well recognized properties of living cells.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed that provide for the preservation of living human and other cells at room temperature or higher temperatures which can be applied to research, medical and defense applications. These methods represent a significant improvement relative to currently used methods that employ preservation at cryogenic temperatures. Using these methods, living human and other cells can be stored at room temperature or higher, and subsequently be recovered as living cells capable of dividing and exhibiting other well recognized properties of living cells.

Abstract: A method for rapidly determining the species and/or strain of an organism by genotyping is presented. The method extends the use of indexing linkers to a method of genotyping. The genome of an unknown organism is digested by a restriction endonuclease which cleaves at a site different from the recognition site of the enzyme thereby producing DNA fragments and producing staggered ends. A subset of these fragments is ligated to linkers with staggered ends, with only those DNA fragments with staggered ends which are complementary to the staggered ends of the linkers being ligated to the linkers. DNA fragments with linkers at each end are then amplified. The number and sizes of amplified DNA fragments are then compared to a database containing the expected number and sizes of fragments from known organisms. A match between the assay data and the database is determinative of the species or strain of the unknown organism.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods for manipulating recombinant DNA in gene cloning and expression. More specifically, the invention provides methods capable of altering a nucleic acid sequence present at the termini of a target sequence.

Abstract: This invention discloses a scheme for producing nucleic acid end products that are functionally or exactly identical to the starting products, thereby resulting in exponential amplification of a desired nucleic acid sequence. Specifically, sequences are cycled between RNA and DNA forms using the following basic steps: (1) a T7 RNA polymerase promoter is ligated onto a single-stranded DNA template; (2) T7 RNA polymerase makes many copies of RNA: (3) a complementary DNA is made from the RNA by extension of a primer by reverse transcriptase; and (4) the RNA template is removed by ribonuclease H. This amplification method is useful for purposes such as genetic research and diagnostic assays.

Abstract: A method for amplifying a nucleic acid molecule which employs a proto-promoter-containing nucleic acid molecule having a blocked 3' terminus. The invention also includes kits containing reagents for conducting the method.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods for manipulating recombinant DNA in gene cloning and expression. More specifically, the invention provides methods capable of altering a nucleic acid sequence present at the termini of a target sequence.

Abstract: According to this invention, a process for substantially amplifying template nucleic acid present in a sample is described, wherein said amplification may be performed without prior knowledge of specific sequences, which process comprises apposition of random oligonucleotide primers to said template nucleic acid under conditions such that extension products of said primers are synthesized which are complementary to said template nucleic acid.

Abstract: An apparatus provides for casting a gel and for presenting the gel for electrophoresis. The apparatus comprises a casting tray and the casting plate which combine to form a mold for the gelable liquid, and an electrophoresis tank in which the electrophoresis process occurs. The floor of the electrophoresis tank rises to form the plate pedestal upon which the casting plate rests during electrophoresis. The floor of the electrophoresis tank forms a cavity at the edges of the plate pedestal in which the casting tray rests during the electrophoresis process. The casting plate is first firmly seated in the bottom of the casting tray forming a mold for the gelable liquid. The gelable liquid is poured into the mold. The comb is placed in the comb slots so as to form wells in the gel. The gelable liquid is allowed to gel, and the comb is removed. The material to undergo electrophoresis is placed in the wells left by the comb. The entire assembly is then placed and aligned on the plate pedestal.

Abstract: A process for detecting specific nucleotide sequences, called targets, in which a special DNA probe molecule, called a probe-vector, is capable of transforming bacteria if and only if it is held in a circular configuration by base pairing to a target nucleic acid, said transformation resulting in the detection of a phenotype specified by the probe-vector, said detection establishing the presence, absence, or quantity of the target; and a probe-vector molecule for performing the process.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for evaluating acellular biological fluid for viral DNA, such as DNA of the Hepatitus-B virus, whereby the acellular biological fluid is treated to immobilize in denatured form the DNAs including the suspect viral DNA on a solid support or substrate with the resulting solid substrate being contacted with a solution including radioisotropically-labeled viral denatured DNA followed by analysis of solid substrate for radioisotopically-labeled suspect viral renatured DNA.