Abstract: External control reagents for nucleic acid amplification are provided that verify the absence or presence of specific target sequences, and correct primers and probes. A single-stranded, external control polynucleotide is amplified with primers of the same sequence as target primers. Probes with detectable labels and sequences specific for target and external control polynucleotides allow for detection and measurement. The primers and the detectable probe are adjacent or substantially adjacent when hybridized to the external control polynucleotide. Target and control amplicons may be detected by increased fluorescence induced by polymerase-mediated 5? nuclease cleavage or hybridization of a self-quenching probe complementary to both target and external control polynucleotides. A kit of PCR reagents can be dispensed into vessels for rapid and accurate nucleic acid amplification assay, with real-time or end-point measurements.

Abstract: Methods and compositions to label oligonucleotides and analogs directly on a solid-support having the structure where S is a solid-support, A is a cleavable linker, X is a moiety with three or more attachment sites, L is a label, Y is a nucleophile, i.e. O, NH, NR or S, and P1 is an acid cleavable protecting group are provided. The labelled solid-support is reacted in a cyclical fashion to synthesize a labelled oligonucleotide on a solid-support in the 5′ to 3′ direction, having the structure: Labelled oligonucleotides are also synthesized by reacting: (i) a label reagent bearing functionality consisting of carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, phosphonic acid, or phosphoric acid, (ii) an oligonucleotide on solid support with nucleophilic functionality, and (iii) a coupling reagent, whereby an ester, amide, thioester, sulfonamide, sulfonate, phosphonate, phosphoramidate, phosphorothioate, or phosphate bond is formed.

Abstract: Extended rhodamine compounds exhibiting favorable fluorescence characteristics having the structure are disclosed. In addition, novel intermediates for synthesis of these dyes are disclosed, such intermediates having the structure In addition, methods of making and using the dyes as fluorescent labels are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides an asymmetric cyanine dye compound having the structure including substituted forms thereof, wherein, at least one of R1 and R2 is linking group, X is O, S, or Se, and n ranges from 0 to 2. The invention further provides reporter-quencher dye pairs comprising the asymmetric cyanine dyes, dye-labelled polynucleotides incorporating the asymmetric cyanine dyes, and hybridization detection methods utilizing the dye-labelled polynucleotides.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the removal of protecting groups, i.e. deprotection, from chemically synthesized oligonucleotides. In one embodiment, the invention provides reagents suitable for use in such a process, and kits incorporating such reagents in a convenient, ready-to-use format. By use of the process and reagents of the invention, side-reactions leading to certain impurities that contaminate the synthesized oligonucleotides can be minimized. Methods and reagents are provided for deprotection of an oligonucleotide by reacting a protected oligonucleotide with a deprotection reagent wherein the deprotection reagent comprises an active methylene compound and an amine reagent. The active methylene compound has the structure: where substituent EWG is an electron-withdrawing group and R is hydrogen, C1-C12 alkyl, C6-C20 aryl, heterocycle or an electron-withdrawing group.

Abstract: A nucleoside/tide compound having the structure: NUC-L-S-LB/LG is described wherein NUC is a nucleoside/tide having a nucleobase portion B, L is a rigid linkage, S is a spacer; and LB/LG is a member of a linkage pair or a label. NUC is attached to L through B such that when B is a purine, L is attached to the 8-position of the purine, when B is 7-deazapurine, L is attached to the 7-position of the 7-deazapurine, and when B is pyrimidine, L is attached to the 5-position of the pyrimidine. In an important aspect of the invention, L has the structure: wherein each of n, o and p are integers ranging from 0 to 3, and the sum of n, o and p is at least 2, and each of W, X, Y and Z is selected from the group consisting of carbon and nitrogen. The invention further includes polynucleotide compounds comprising the nucleoside/tide, and primer extension methods utilizing the nucleoside/tide, particularly when used in combination with certain mutant polymerase enzymes.

Abstract: Sulfonated diarylrhodamine compounds are useful as fluorescent labels of nucleosides, nucleotides, polynucleotides, and polypeptides. The compounds find particular application in the area of fluorescent nucleic acid analysis, e.g., automated DNA sequencing and fragment analysis, detection of probe hybridization in hybridization arrays, detection of nucleic acid amplification products, and the like.

Abstract: Dibenzorhodamine compounds having the structure: are disclosed, including nitrogen- and aryl-substituted forms thereof. In addition, two intermediates useful for synthesizing such compounds are disclosed, a first intermediate having the structure: including nitrogen- and aryl-substituted forms thereof, and a second intermediate having the structure including nitrogen- and aryl-substituted forms thereof, wherein substituents at positions C14 to C18 taken separately are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, lower alkyl, carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, —CH2OH, alkoxy, phenoxy, linking group, and substituted forms thereof. The invention further includes energy transfer dyes comprising the dibenzorhodamine compounds, nucleosides labeled with the dibenzorhodamine compounds, and nucleic acid analysis methods employing the dibenzorhodamine compounds.

Abstract: The invention provides an asymmetric cyanine dye compound having the structure including substituted forms thereof, wherein, at least one of R1 and R2 is linking group, X is O, S, or Se, and n ranges from 0 to 2. The invention further provides reporter-quencher dye pairs comprising the asymmetric cyanine dyes, dye-labelled polynucleotides incorporating the asymmetric cyanine dyes, and hybridization detection methods utilizing the dye-labelled polynucleotides.

Abstract: Methods and compositions to label oligonucleotides and analogs directly on a solid-support having the structure where S is a solid-support, A is a cleavable linker, X is a moiety with three or more attachment sites, L is a label, Y is a nucleophile, i.e. O, NH, NR or S, and P1 is an acid cleavable protecting group are provided. The labelled solid-support is reacted in a cyclical fashion to synthesize a labelled oligonucleotide on a solid-support in the 5′ to 3′ direction, having the structure: Labelled oligonucleotides are also synthesized by reacting: (i) a label reagent bearing functionality consisting of carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, phosphonic acid, or phosphoric acid, (ii) an oligonucleotide on solid support with nucleophilic functionality, and (iii) a coupling reagent, whereby an ester, amide, thioester, sulfonamide, sulfonate, phosphonate, phosphoramidate, phosphorothioate, or phosphate bond is formed.

Abstract: Propargylethoxyamino nucleosides are disclosed having the structure wherein R1 and R2 are —H, lower alkyl, or label; B is a 7-deazapurine, purine, or pyrimidine nucleoside base; W1 is —H or —OH; W2 is —OH or a moiety which renders the nucleoside incapable of forming a phosphodiester bond at the 3′-position; and W3 is —PO4, —P2O7, —P3O10, phosphate analog, or —OH. Additionally, a primer extension method is provided employing the above propargylethoxyamino nucleosides.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, kits, and compositions for ligation of PNA-DNA chimeric probes and oligonucleotides when they are hybridized adjacently to template nucleic acids using ligases and ligation reagents. Structural requirements of the chimeras for ligation include 5 to 15 contiguous PNA monomer units, 2 or more contiguous nucleotides, and a 3′ hydroxyl or 5′ hydroxyl terminus. The chimera and/or oligonucleotide may be labelled with fluorescent dyes or other labels. The methods include, for example, oligonucleotide-ligation assays (OLA) and single nucleotide polymorphism detection.

Abstract: Fluorescent, sulfonated 3,7-diamino-[8,9]benzophenoxazine dyes are provided that are especially useful for labelling biopolymers and other substrates. The dye-labelled conjugates can be used in a variety of contexts, including cell surface assays employing intact, live cells and in nucleic acid detection methods. The new dyes are water soluble and can be conjugated to a variety of substrates, such as polynucleotides, nucleosides, nucleotides, peptides, proteins, antibodies, carbohydrates, ligands, particles and surfaces.

Abstract: The invention provides a collection of probes useful for hybridizing to a target nucleic acid. The probes associate with each other, binding with high affinity to the target nucleic acid, to form three-way junctions and other complexes. At least one of the probes in each collection includes a nucleic acid analog. Methods using the probes in hybridization and as primers are also provided.

Abstract: Substantially pure atropisomers of xanthene compounds are disclosed. A variety of molecular biology applications utilize atropisomeric xanthene fluorescent dyes as labels for substrates such as nucleotides, nucleosides, polynucleotides, polypeptides and carbohydrates. Methods include DNA sequencing, DNA fragment analysis, PCR, SNP analysis, oligonucleotide ligation, amplification, minisequencing, and primer extension.

Abstract: Binary probe and clamp compositions conduct methods for target hybridization detection. Where the probe is a substrate for exonuclease cleavage, the composition provides quantitation and detection of PCR products, by real-time and end-point measurements. Where the probe is an amplification primer, the composition provides an improved method for labelling and detection of PCR products. Probes and clamps may be labelled with fluorescent dyes, quenchers, hybridization-stabilizing moieties, chemiluminescent dyes, and affinity ligands. Clamps may be nucleic acid analogs, such as 2-aminoethylglycine PNA.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel, water-soluble, red-emitting fluorescent rhodamine dyes and red-emitting fluorescent energy-transfer dye pairs, as well as labeled conjugates comprising the same and methods for their use. The dyes, energy-transfer dye pairs and labeled conjugates are useful in a variety of aqueous-based applications, particularly in assays involving staining of cells, protein binding, and/or analysis of nucleic acids, such as hybridization assays and nucleic acid sequencing.

Abstract: Methods of nucleic acid amplification with external controls are provided that verify the absence or presence of specific target sequences, and correct primers and probes. A single-stranded, external control polynucleotide is amplified with primers of the same sequence as target primers. Probes with detectable labels and sequences specific for target and external control polynucleotides allow for detection and measurement. The primers and the detectable probe are adjacent or substantially adjacent when hybridized to the external control polynucleotide. Target and control amplicons may be detected by increased fluorescence induced by polymerase-mediated 5′ nuclease cleavage or hybridization of a self-quenching probe complementary to both target and external control polynucleotides. A kit of PCR reagents can be dispensed into vessels for rapid and accurate nucleic acid amplification assay, with real-time or end-point measurements.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods suitable for dissolving nucleic acid analogs with uncharged, neutral backbones at high concentrations at approximately neutral pH. By using the compositions of the invention, which include a polar, aprotic solvent, concentrations of nucleic acid analogs such as PNA can be achieved in the range of approximately 1 &mgr;M to 10 mM.

Abstract: Dibenzorhodamine compounds having the structure are disclosed, including nitrogen and aryl-substituted forms thereof. In addition, two intermediates useful for synthesizing such compounds are disclosed, a first intermediate having the structure including nitrogen- and aryl-substituted forms thereof, and a second intermediate having the structure including nitrogen- and aryl-substituted forms thereof, wherein substituents at positions C-14 to C18 taken separately are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, lower alkyl, carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, —CH2OH, alkoxy, phenoxy, linking group, and substituted forms thereof. The invention further includes energy transfer dyes comprising the dibenzorhodamine compounds, nucleosides labeled with the dibenzorhodamine compounds, and nucleic acid analysis methods employing the dibenzorhodamine compounds.