Abstract: Methods for amplifying target nucleic acid sequences using a nucleic acid polymerase lacking 5′ exonuclease activity and a set of oligonucleotide primers. Preferably, a primer array is used. The primer array contains two sets of primers. One set contains at least two complementary primers. The other set contains at least two sense primers. Using the described methods amplification can be carried out under essentially constant environmental conditions without the requirement for exonuclease activity or restriction endonuclease activity.

Abstract: A method for preparing probes, as well as several probes for use in qualitative or quantitative hybridization assays are disclosed. The method comprises constructing an oligonucleotide that is sufficiently complementary to hybridize to a region of rRNA selected to be unique to a non-viral organism or group of non-viral organisms sought to be detected, said region of rRNA being selected by comparing one or more variable region rRNA sequences of said non-viral organism or group of non-viral organisms with one or more variable region rRNA sequences from one or more non-viral organisms sought to be distinguished. Hybridization assay probes for Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium intracellulare, the Mycobacterium tuberculosis-complex bacteria, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Legionella, Salmonella, Chlamydia trachomatis, Campylobacter, Proteus mirabilis, Enterococcus, Enterobacter cloacae, E. coli, Pseudomonas group I, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, bacteria, and fungi also are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns oligonucleotides containing one or more modified nucleotides which increase the binding affinity of the oligonucleotides to target nucleic acids having a complementary nucleotide base sequence. These modified oligonucleotides hybridize to the target sequence at a faster rate than unmodified oligonucleotides having an identical nucleotide base sequence. Such modified oligonucleotides include oligonucleotides containing at least one 2'-O-methylribofuranosyl moiety joined to a nitrogenous base. Oligonucleotides can be modified in accordance with the present invention to preferentially bind RNA targets. The present invention also concerns methods of using these modified oligonucleotides and kits containing the same.

Abstract: The present invention discloses hybridization assay probes, amplification primers, nucleic acid compositions and methods useful for detecting Neisseria nucleic acids. Hybridization assay probes and amplification primers that selectively detect Neisseria meningitidis and distinguish those Neisseria meningitidis from Neisseria gonorrohoeae are disclosed. Other hybridization probes selectively detect Neisseria gonorrohoeae and not Neisseria meningitidis are also described.

Abstract: A reaction receptacle apparatus includes one or more individual receptacles for containing chemical or biological substances. The one or more receptacles are arranged to be engaged by tubular elements of a substance transfer device for transferring substances into or out of the individual receptacles. Multiple receptacles are coupled to one another by a connecting rib structure that defines straight shoulders along opposite sides of the reaction receptacle apparatus, and the shoulders support the apparatus within reaction receptacle apparatus carrying structures. A contact-limiting element holding structure for holding contact-limiting elements, such as protective tips for tubular elements, is associated with each individual receptacle and holds a contact-limiting element in an operative orientation so as to be operatively engageable by the tubular element of the substance transfer device.

Abstract: Methods for amplifying target nucleic acid sequences using a nucleic acid polymerase lacking 5' exonuclease activity and a set of oligonucleotide primers. Preferably, a primer array is used. The primer array contains two sets of primers. One set contains at least two complementary primers. The other set contains at least two sense primers. Using the described methods amplification can be carried out under essentially constant environmental conditions without the requirement for exonuclease activity or restriction endonuclease activity.

Abstract: The present invention discloses hybridization assay probes, amplification primers, nucleic acid compositions and methods useful for detecting Borrelia nucleic acids. Hybridization assay probes and amplification primers that selectively detect Lyme disease-associated Borrelia and distinguish those Borrelia from Borrelia hermsii are disclosed. Other hybridization probes selectively detect Borrelia hermsii and not Lyme disease-associated Borrelia are also described.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for selectively detecting analytes in a homogeneous assay, a heterogeneous assay, or a mixture of the two by contacting a labeled probe:analyte complex with one or more amphiphiles. The invention is also useful for increasing the signal to noise ratio when used in conjunction with other assay systems. In preferred embodiments, the analyte and probe are nucleic acids or proteins.

Abstract: Hybridization assay probes specific for Listeria monocytogenes and no other Listeria species.

Abstract: The present invention describes oligonucleotides targeted to Mycoplasma pneumoniae nucleic acid sequences which are particularly useful to aid in detecting Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The oligonucleotides can aid in detecting Mycoplasma pneumoniae in different ways such as by acting as hybridization assay probes, helper probes, and/or amplification primers.

Abstract: A method for detecting and quantitating organisms containing R-RNA, t-RNA, other RNA, any member of a large, intermediate or small category of organisms such as any member of a bacterial taxonomic Family, Genus, or Species, and previously unknown organisms. The method comprises contacting the nucleic acid of the organisms whose presence, identification and quantitation are to be determined, with a marked probe comprising nucleic acid and molecules complementary to RNA or other nucleic sequences, of the said organism, under nucleic acid hybridization conditions, and then determining the degree of hybridization that has occurred. The method may include contacting a sample with an enzyme-detergent mixture to make the nucleic acids of the organism or virus in a sample more readily available for hybridization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating disease-associated cellular proliferation using oligonucleotides. In particular, it relates to the use of oligonulceotides which are substantially complementary to interleukin-6 receptor mRNA sequences. In the form of pharmaceutical compositions, these oligonucleotides are suitable for administration to human subjects for the treatment of abnormal cellular proliferation due to such diseases as cancer, autoimmune disorders and viral infection.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods of synthesizing oligonucleotides. In particular, it relates to methods of enzymatically synthesizing chirally pure oligonucleotides using templates which can be digested after synthesis. By using digestible templates, separation and purification of the synthesized oligonucleotides are greatly facilitated.

Abstract: A method for detecting and quantitating organisms containing R-RNA, t-RNA, other RNA, any member of a large, intermediate or small category of organisms such as any member of a bacterial taxonomic Family, Genus, or Species, and previously unknown organisms. The method comprises contacting the nucleic acid of the organisms whose presence, identification and quantitation are to be determined, with a marked probe comprising nucleic acid molecules complementary to RNA or other nucleic acid sequences, of the said organism, under nucleic acid hybridization conditions, and then determining the degree of hybridization that has occurred. The method may include contacting a sample with an enzyme-detergent mixture to make the nucleic acids of the organism or virus in a sample more readily available for hybridization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of enzymatically synthesizing oligonucleotides. In particular, it relates to the use of 3'-ribonucleotide primers which effectively serve to initiate oligonucleotide synthesis, and can also be easily cleaved from synthesis products and reused in subsequent synthesis reactions.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for selectively detecting analytes in a homogeneous assay, a heterogeneous assay, or a mixture of the two by contacting a labeled probe:analyte complex with one or more amphiphiles. The invention is also useful for increasing the signal to noise ratio when used in conjunction with other assay systems. In preferred embodiments, the analyte and probe are nucleic acids or proteins.

Abstract: Lipid molecules bearing a cationic charge are described. These cationic lipids are useful in the delivery of biomolecules, such as oligonucleotides, nucleic acids, peptides, diagnostic imaging agents, proteins and drug molecules. In the form of liposomes, they can effectively be used for the intracellular delivery of biomolecules for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for simultaneously or sequentially detecting multiple nucleic acid analytes in a single medium utilizing oligonucleotide hybridization probes coupled to different chemiluminescent labeling reagents. The methods may be used in a heterogeneous, homogeneous or non-homogeneous assay system. The invention also relates to specific combinations of chemiluminescent labeling reagents suitable, when coupled to an oligonucleotide probe, for use together in methods for the detection of multiple nucleic acid analytes. The invention also concerns kits useful in these methods.

Abstract: Methods for extracting nucleic acids by heating sample cells at about 80-95 degrees C. in a permeabilization reagent containing a non-ionic detergent and a metal chelating agent. The methods of the invention release large fragments of undegraded nucleic acids without physically disrupting the entire cell wall. The nucleic acids are released into solution without bursting the cells and are suitable for research and testing without further purification. The extraction method described herein is rapid, easy to perform, and applicable to a wide variety of cells, including microorganisms. Clinical samples may be screened for the presence or absence of a microorganism by heating the sample at 80-95 degrees Celsius in the presence of a non-ionic detergent and a metal chelating agent, adding to the sample a nucleic acid probe specific to the selected microorganism, incubating the sample under conditions which allow the probe to hybridize to released nucleic acid and detecting whether any hybridized probe is present.