Abstract: Disclosed herein are N.sup.4 protected deoxycytidines for use in the synthesis of oligonucleotides, the protecting groups being represented by the formula: --CO--(CH.sub.2).sub.0-9 --CH.sub.3. Preferred embodiments are N.sup.4 acetyl deoxycytidines and include N.sup.4 acetyl deoxycytidine phosphoramidites and N.sup.4 acetyl deoxycytidine H-phosphonates. When used to prepare oligonucleotides the protected deoxycytidine compounds provide high quality oligonucleotide products with little side product from cleavage and deprotection reactions carried out with alkyl amine compounds.

Abstract: A swinging bucket centrifuge rotor having free-floating trunnion pins with each pair of trunnion pins having an interlocking mechanism disposed therebetween. The rotor includes a yoke having an axis of rotation, a plurality of spaced arms extending radially outward from the axis of rotation, each of which terminates in a bulwark. The bulwark includes a pair of intersecting bores, each of which extends along an axis lying in a plane spreading transverse to the axis of rotation. Each of the trunnion pins has a lengthwise axis and is disposed in one of the pair of intersecting bores. The trunnion pins include trunnion and coupling portions. The coupling portion has a surface. The interlocking mechanism includes a recess formed into the surface of the coupling portion and a coupling pin. The recess of each of trunnion pin of the pair of trunnion pins is superimposed upon the recess of the remaining trunnion pin, forming a chamber.

Abstract: A sample having both positively and negatively charged components may be separated during the same run by injecting a plug of sample at both ends of the capillary and applying an electric field in the capillary, where there is insufficient electroosmotic flow in the capillary to reverse sample migration direction, such as in the case of a gel-filled column.

Abstract: Inverse Linkage Oligonucleotides ("ILO") useful in enzymatic process are disclosed. Particularly preferred ILOs are amenable to enzymatic elongation from either, or most preferably, both termini. In a particularly preferred embodiment, each terminus of an ILO has an enzymatically functional 3' group. Accordingly, under appropriate conditions and in the presence of, e.g., dNTPs, enzyme, sample DNA, and ILO comprising a first region complementary to a first region of the sample DNA and a second region complementary to a second, different region of the sample DNA, exponential amplification of the sample DNA can be effectuated.

Abstract: Coated capillary electrophoresis columns and methods for their use in electrophoretic separations are disclosed. The coated capillary columns include a length of tubing having an interior surface coated with at least one crosslinked organic multi-valent ionic compound capable of ionic interaction with charged chemical functionalities on the tubing interior surface. Exemplary columns are prepared by crosslinking a multi-functional amine compound with a diexpoxide, alkylating the crosslinked multi-functional amine compound to form a crosslinked quaternary ammonium compound, and then contacting the interior surface of capillary tubing with the crosslinked quaternary ammonium compound.

Abstract: An automated method and apparatus for performing biopolymer synthesis on a two-dimensional support surface whereby a two-dimensional matrix or array of biopolymers are obtained on the surface. An applicator in the form of a thick plate having in a surface at least one cavity in the form of an open chamber or channel is used for applying reagents to the surface of a solid phase support material. The applicator is positioned over the solid support material with the surface having the cavity sealed against the material surface. For each cavity, reagents for synthesis are introduced sequentially into one end of the cavity and collected from the other end of the cavity. A one-dimensional array of biopolymers are thus formed on the support material, where each element of the array contains a population of biopolymers having identical sequence.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are protecting groups for exocyclic amino groups of the bases adenine, guanine and cytosine for use in the synthesis of oligonucleotides, the protecting groups being represented by the formula: --CO-- (CH.sub.2).sub.0-9 --CH.sub.3. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the base cytosine is protected with acetyl (--CO--CH.sub.3), and the oligonucleotide incorporating said protected cytosine is subjected to a cleavage/deprotection reagent comprising at least one straight chain alkylamine having from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The filling of an internally coated capillary with a gel in its polymerized state without damaging the gel. The coating prevents bonding of the gel to the inside of the capillary, The gel comprises up to 6% acrylamide and 0-5% crosslinker. The gel can be advantageously and conveniently used in automated electrophoresis systems for automatic replacement of spent gel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the implementation of a multi-port rotary valve in an automated chemistry processing instrument which reduces chemical reagent cross contamination and simplifies system design and control. One or more multi-port rotary valves are used in conjunction with isolation valves which are each dedicated for an associated reagent in the system. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the instrument utilizes a multi-port valve which defines several fluid branches each associated with a reagent. The valve has a common inlet and common outlet which are selectively brought into fluid communication with the branches in a controlled sequence. At each branch, there is a two-way three-port isolation valve which controls introduction of an associated reagent into the branch. When a branch is selected by the rotary valve, the reagent introduced into the branch is delivered out of the common outlet by the flow from the common inlet.

Abstract: Methods for controlling and varying electroosmotic flow in coated capillary electrophoresis columns under electrophoretic conditions are disclosed. The methods described herein involve varying the concentration of a multi-valent buffer compound in electrophoresis buffer compositions in order to control the electroosmotic flow in capillary columns having interior surfaces coated with charged organic coatings. Increasing the concentration of a multi-valent buffer compound which has a charge opposite the charge of the organic coating, in the electrophoresis buffer results in a decrease in electroosmotic flow. Decreasing the concentration of a multi-valent buffer compound results in an increase in electroosmotic flow. The ability to control electroosmotic flow provides enhanced resolution and optimizes separations of electrophoresis sample components.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are variant versions of Streptolysin O produced by recombinant DNA techniques. In an embodiment, the variant is soluble upon expression and has a specific hemolytic activity of about 14 hemolytic units per milligram.

Abstract: A method for correcting for light scattering affects obtained from a sample to which a fluorophore has been added. In accordance with the invention, a sample to which a fluorophore has been added is irradiated with light in the adsorption band of the fluorophore such that the fluorophore emits light at a different intensity. By manipulating the pH of the sample, and obtaining both pre- and post-manipulation emission light intensity readings, the value of the reading attributed to "light scattering" can be determined, such that correction of an erroneous fluorescence reading can be obtained.

Abstract: A compact manifold for distribution of fluids (gas or liquid or combination thereof). The manifold has a block having fluid channels provided therethrough between two faces of the block. Against one face, a plate is fastened which swages ferrules between the plate and the block to tightly connect fluid conduits through the plate to the block. On the opposite face of the block, a manifold plenum is formed in a groove between a manifold plate and an o-ring. The o-ring is pressed against the manifold plate by a back plate and both plates are securely fastened onto the block such that the holes in the manifold plate are aligned with the fluid channels in the block. Checkvalves are positioned between the block and the manifold plate to prevent backflow. The above-mentioned components are positioned into their respective places and are secured upon the tightening of the fasteners. The manifold is configured with at least two plenums each having a group of distribution outlets.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are derivatives of Streptolysin 0 produced by recombinant DNA techniques. In an embodiment, the derivative is soluble upon expression and has a specific hemolytic activity of about 3.6.times.10.sup.4 hemolytic units per milligram.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are capillary columns for capillary electrophoretic analysis of sample constituents. In an embodiment, the columns comprise a bifunctional layer comprising a positively charged amine group adsorbed to the inner wall of the capillary and an active functional group; a gel composition; hydrophilic polymer; and a separation composition capable of being removed from the column, interspersed within the remainder of the column. The disclosed columns are particularly well suited for the analysis of surfactant: proteinaceous material complexes, nucleic acid sequence, and analysis of restriction fragments according to size.

Abstract: A method of controlled centrifugation including automatic determination (before or during a centrifugation run) of the time to reach "completion" (within specified limits, depending on the criteria adopted) of a centrifugal separation. By simulation, the sample solute concentration distributions are determined and examined periodically. Centrifugation completion is deemed to have been reached based on certain predetermined criteria relating to spatial changes in the sample solute concentration distributions between successive examinations. The positions of the end points of the concentration distributions or band edges of the sample solutes (transitions from regions of sample solutes to regions of no sample solutes) are determined to facilitate resolving spatial changes of the concentration distributions.

Abstract: A method of programming a programmable controller in a manner by which a variety of menus, options, or questions seeking limited parameter answers are presented to the user; for example, setup parameters such as the type of labware, source and destination of reagent transfer etc. for conducting a particular biological and chemical assay experiments by an automated laboratory workstation. Software "templates" are used to focus the request for parameters from the user to tailor user needs to the laboratory workstation's capabilities. The software templates are designed to accommodate a wide variety of experimental setups in accordance with the setup parameters input by the user. By providing the parameters with the assistance of the templates, the user may program a complete set of instructions for conducting a biological or chemical assay. The instructions may include the time and method for undertaking the experiment.

Abstract: A valve block assembly with internal delivery channels and a common outlet channel is provided. Access of reactants to the delivery channels is controlled by diaphragm valves, preferably equipped with relief grooves to accommodate deformation of the diaphragm. Reservoirs feeding the delivery channels have an inert atmosphere controlled by pressurizing and venting channels in the valve block. Exposure of plastic tubing to oxygen is kept to a minimum. The assembly is particularly adapted for use in a DNA or protein sequencer to supply reactants without cross-contamination or oxidative decomposition.

Abstract: A centrifuge rotor lid assembly which includes a handle which allows convenient handling of a centrifuge rotor and facilitates releasing the lid from the rotor after centrifugation. In one embodiment, the lid is provided with a lid knob and a spindle knob in a coaxial sliding arrangement. The lid knob is used to tighten the lid on the rotor body and the spindle knob is used to tighten the rotor to the centrifuge drive spindle. The upper end of the inner knob is provided with a handle which extends perpendicular to the axis of the knob. This handle is used for lifting the rotor after the spindle knob has been unscrewed from the spindle and for unscrewing the lid knob. The lower end of the spindle knob has a pin which cooperatively engages the lower end of the lid knob when the spindle knob is lifted from the rotor and is turned in a direction to unscrew the lid knob.

Abstract: A electrophoresis column having on-column means and a method for concentrating analytes of interest in a sample prior to electrophoresis. The column comprises a section having the concentrating means upstream of a capillary section. A sample is flowed past the concentrating means which immobilizes the analytes of interest thereby concentrating the analytes of interest in the section. Thereafter the analytes are released from the concentrating means for carrying out electrophoresis.