Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to novel methods for the solution-based production of silver nanowires by adaptation of the polyol process. Some embodiments of the present invention can be practiced at lower temperature and/or at higher concentration than previously described methods. In some embodiments reactants are added in solid form rather than in solution. In some embodiments, an acid compound is added to the reaction.

Abstract: This invention is related to compositions and methods pertaining to PNA synthons, PNA oligomers and/or PNA/DNA Chimeras comprising a universal base.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the field of combination oligomers, including the block synthesis of combination oligomers in the absence of a template, as well as related methods, kits, libraries and other compositions.

Abstract: This invention pertains to methods, mixtures, kits and/or compositions for the determination of analytes by mass analysis using unique labeling reagents or sets of unique labeling reagents. The labeling reagents can be isomeric or isobaric and can be used to produce mixtures suitable for multiplex analysis of the labeled analytes.

Abstract: This invention is related to methods pertaining to the determination of bacteria and yeast wherein the methods comprise: a) filtering a sample containing bacteria and yeast through at least one filter; b) treating the filter or filters with a medium which facilitates the growth of the bacteria and yeast; c) growing the bacteria and yeast on the filter or filters to thereby produce colonies or microcolonies of the bacteria and yeast; d) fixing the colonies or microcolonies to the filter or filters; e) treating each filter under suitable hybridization conditions with one or more enzyme labeled PNA probes wherein, each PNA probe comprises a probing nucleobase sequence complementary to a target sequence in the nucleic acid of the bacteria and/or yeast; f) removing excess enzyme labeled PNA probe from each of the filters; and g) determining enzyme activity remaining on each filter to thereby identify or enumerate colonies or microcolonies on the filter or filters.

Abstract: This invention is related to novel probes, probe sets, methods and kits pertaining to the detection, identification and/or quantitation of yeasts and particularly Dekkera bruxellensis (a.k.a. Brettanomyces) an organism that spoils wine. Preferred probes for the detection of one or more species of the Dekkera/Brettanomyces genus comprise a probing nucleobase sequence, at least a portion of which is selected from the group consisting of: AGC-GGG-TCT-ATT-AGA (Seq. ID No. 1); CCA-GGT-GAG-GGT-CGC (Seq. ID No. 2); CGG-TTG-CCC-GAT-TTC (Seq. ID No. 3); TCG-CCT-TCC-TCC-TCT (Seq. ID No. 4); CGG-TCT-CCA-GCG-ATT (Seq. ID No. 5); CAC-AAG-ATG-TCC-GCG (Seq. ID No. 6); GCG-GGC-ACT-AAT-TGA (Seq. ID No. 7); CAT-CCA-CGA-GGA-ACG (Seq. ID No. 8); GTG-TAA-ACC-AGG-TGC (Seq. ID No. 9); ATG-GCT-CCC-AGA-ACC (Seq. ID No. 10) and GAC-AGA-ATC-GAA-GGG (Seq. ID No. 11).

Abstract: This invention relates to methods, kits and compositions suitable for the improved detection, analysis and quantitation of nucleic acid target sequences using probe based hybridization assays. The invention is more specifically directed to methods, kits and compositions suitable for suppressing the binding of detectable nucleic acid probes or detectable PNA probes to non-target nucleic acid sequences in an assay for a target nucleic acid sequence to thereby improve the reliability, sensitivity and specificity of the assay. The methods, kits and compositions of this invention are particularly well suited to the detection and analysis of nucleic acid point mutations.

Abstract: This invention is directed to methods, kits and compositions pertaining to PNA Molecular Beacons. PNA Molecular Beacons comprise self-complementary arm segments and flexible linkages that promote intramolecular or intermolecular interactions. In the absence of a target sequence, PNA Molecular Beacons facilitate efficient energy transfer between the linked donor and acceptor moieties of the probe. Upon hybridization of the probe to a target sequence, there is a measurable change in at least one property of at least one donor or acceptor moiety of the probe which can be used to detect, identify or quantitate the target sequence in a sample.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a rapid and simple method for determining organisms and/or cells in a sample. Generally, the method is directed to the use of molecular probes to selectively stain the organisms and/or cells for determination wherein growth medium, fixative reagents and/or excess molecular probes need not be separated before a determination is made.

Abstract: This invention pertains to solubility enhanced polymers and methods, kits and compositions which enhance the aqueous solubility of said polymers. One set of preferred methods, kits and compositions embody or utilize phosphorous containing synthons and are most useful for modulating the solubility of synthetic nucleic acids and synthetic nucleic acid analogs. A second set of preferred methods, kits and compositions are most useful for modulating the aqueous solubility of peptides, other polyamides and most preferably peptide nucleic acid (PNA) polymers.

Abstract: This invention is related to novel PNA probes, probe sets, methods and kits pertaining to the detection of microorganisms. The probes, probe sets, methods and kits of this invention can be used to detect, identify or quantitate one or more organisms in a sample wherein the organisms are selected from the group consisting of E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas cepatia, Pseudomonas fluorescens or organisms of a bacterial genus including the Salmonella genus, Bacillus genus or Pseudomonas genus. The preferred probing nucleobase sequence of the PNA probes used to detect the bacteria listed above are TCA-ATG-AGC-AAA-GGT (E.

Abstract: This invention is related to novel PNA probes, probe sets, methods and kits pertaining to the universal detection of bacteria and/or eucarya. Preferred universal probes for the detection of bacteria comprise a probing nucleobase sequence selected from the group consisting of CTG-CCT-CCC-GTA-GGA; TAC-CAG-GGT-ATC-TAA-T; CAC-GAG-CTG-ACG-ACA and CCG-ACA-AGG-AAT-TTC. Preferred universal probes for the detection of eucarya comprise a probing nucleobase sequence selected from the group consisting of ACC-AGA-CTT-GCC-CTC-C; GGG-CAT-CAC-AGA-CCT-G; TAG-AAA-GGG-CAG-GGA and TAC-AAA-GGG-CAG-GGA. The PNA probes, probe sets, methods and kits of this invention are particularly well suited for use in multiplex PNA-FISH assays wherein the bacteria and/or eucarya in a sample can be individually detected, identified or quantitated. Using exemplary assays described herein, the total number of colony forming units (CFU) of bacteria and/or eucarya can be rapidly determined.

Abstract: This invention is directed to methods, kits and compositions pertaining to Linear Beacons. In the absence of a target sequence, Linear Beacons facilitate efficient energy transfer between the donor and acceptor moieties linked to opposite ends of the probe. Upon hybridization of the probe to a target sequence, there is a measurable change in at least one property of at least one donor or acceptor moiety of the probe which can be used to detect, identify or quantitate the target sequence in a sample.

Abstract: This invention is directed to methods, kits and compositions which utilize Detection Complexes to detect or identify the presence, absence or quantity of a target molecule in a sample of interest. A Detection Complex comprises at least two component polymers and at least one set of donor and acceptor moieties. To each of at least two component polymers is linked at least one moiety of a set of donor and acceptor moieties, such that formation of the complex facilitates transfer of energy between donor and acceptor moieties of each set in a manner which, in an assay, produces changes in detectable signal which can be correlated with the presence absence of quantity of target sequence and/or target molecule of interest in the sample.

Abstract: A stable complex, we refer to as a PD-Loop, between double stranded nucleic acid and a nucleobase polymer is assembled with the aid of strand invading peptide nucleic acid (PNA). The PD-Loop can be used in the detection, analysis, quantitation and even in the affinity capture of the duplex nucleic acid. Alternatively, the PD-Loop can be used to initiate polymerase extension of a primer to thereby facilitate sequencing of the double stranded nucleic acid even in the presence of large excesses of unrelated double stranded nucleic acid. As an additional feature, the PD-Loop can also be used to generate a construct comprised of a double stranded nucleic acid through which is threaded a single stranded dosed circular nucleic acid wherein the closed circular nucleic acid can be used in a signal amplification methodology.

Abstract: This invention is directed to methods, kits and compositions pertaining to PNA Molecular Beacons. PNA Molecular Beacons comprise self-complementary arm segments and flexible linkages which promote intramolecular or intermolecular interactions. In the absence of a target sequence, PNA Molecular Beacons facilitate efficient energy transfer between the linked donor and acceptor moieties of the probe. Upon hybridization of the probe to a target sequence, there is a measurable change in at least one property of at least one donor or acceptor moiety of the probe which can be used to detect, identify or quantitate the target sequence in a sample.

Abstract: This invention is directed to methods, kits and compositions pertaining to Linear Beacons. In the absence of a target sequence, Linear Beacons facilitate efficient energy transfer between the donor and acceptor moieties linked to opposite ends of the probe. Upon hybridization of the probe to a target sequence, there is a measurable change in at least one property of at least one donor or acceptor moiety of the probe which can be used to detect, identify or quantitate the target sequence in a sample.

Abstract: This invention pertains to methods, kits and compositions suitable for the detection, identification and/or quantitation of nucleic acids which are electrostatically immobilized to matrices using non-nucleotide probes which sequence specifically hybridize to one or more target sequences of the nucleic acid but do not otherwise substantially interact with the matrix. Once the nucleic acid is immobilized, the detectable non-nucleotide probe/target sequence complex, formed before or after the immobilization of the nucleic acid, can be detected, identified or quantitated under a wide range of assay conditions as a means to detect, identify or quantitate the target sequence in the sample. Because it is reversibly bound, the non-nucleotide probe/target sequence can optionally be removed from the matrix for detecting, identifying or quantitating the target sequence in the sample.

Abstract: This invention is directed to methods, kits and compositions which utilize Detection Complexes to detect or identify the presence, absence or quantity of a target molecule in a sample of interest. A Detection Complex comprises at least two component polymers and at least one set of donor and accepter moieties. To each of at least two component polymers is linked at least one moiety of a set of donor and accepter moieties, such that formation of the complex facilitates transfer of energy between donor and acceptor moieties of each set in a manner which, in an assay, produces changes in detectable signal which can be correlated with the presence absence of quantity of target sequence and/or target molecule of interest in the sample.

Abstract: This invention is directed to methods, kits and compositions pertaining to PNA Molecular Beacons. PNA Molecular Beacons comprise self-complementary arm segments and flexible linkages which promote intramolecular or intermolecular interactions. In the absence of a target sequence, PNA Molecular Beacons facilitate efficient energy transfer between the linked donor and acceptor moieties of the probe. Upon hybridization of the probe to a target sequence, there is a measurable change in at least one property of at least one donor or acceptor moiety of the probe which can be used to detect, identify or quantitate the target sequence in a sample.