Abstract: Truncated amplification (TA) provides high fidelity, template driven amplification of target nucleic acid molecules in which truncating oligonucleotides are used as primers to produce truncated terminal products that are in most, if not all, cases no more than three rounds of replication from the original template. In certain embodiments, TA can amplify target nucleic acids quadratically or geometrically, depending on the number of truncating oligonucleotides used for amplification.

Abstract: DNA-RNA-(Pr)n-RNA-DNA ribozymes of formula III or IV: 5′ Z-cugaugag-(Pr)n-cgaaa-X 3′  III. 3′X-aaagc-(Pr)n-gaguaguc-Z-R-Z-cugaugag-(Pr)n-cgaaa-X 3′  IV. in which X and Z comprise DNA sequences that base pair with an RNA substrate at positions adjacent to an RNA cleavage site; cugaugag and cgaaa are catalytic RNA sequences; Pr is a spacer residue —P(O)(OH)—O—CH2CH2CH2—O—; and R is a bridging residue —O—CH2—C(CH2OH)(CH3)—CH2—O—. The ribozymes can be made on any DNA synthesizer using phosphoramidite chemistry, and are useful as therapeutic agents for treating viral or endogenous RNA-mediated diseases. Preferred ribozymes target a sequence in the U5 region of HIV-1.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge for storage and delivery of reagents for synthesizing and labeling of synthetic oligonucleotides comprises an annular casing, an enclosed area defined by the interior surface of the casing and a non-swellable matrix which is inert to organic solvents is positioned within the enclosed area. Adsorbed onto the surface of the matrix is a reagent to be coupled to an immobilized oligonucleotide precursor. The cartridges can be packaged in such a way as to insure the long-term stability of the reagents contained therein. The cartridge is readily insertable into the reagent delivery line of an automated synthesizer of oligonucleotides and also is useful for the production of labeled oligonucleotides by manual coupling. The cartridges of the invention are disposable after a single use. Substantial economies in the synthesis of labeled synthetic oligonucleotides are achieved by use of the cartridge.