Abstract: A method for synthesizing a polynucleotide having a nitrogen atom at the 3'-end is disclosed. The methods include the following steps. A solid support reagent is provided having the structure shown below: ##STR1## where T is an acid-cleavable hydroxyl protecting group, e.g., 4,4'-dimethoxytritil; Q is a linker connecting the nitrogen and oxygen, e.g., n-hexyl; R.sub.1 is a nitrogen substituent, e.g., hydrogen; R.sub.2 through R.sub.4 are separately hydrogen or lower alkyl; Y is an atom which is electronegative with respect to carbon, e.g., oxygen or sulfur; X.sub.1 is an atom which is electronegative with respect to carbon, e.g., sulfone; Z is a bond or spacer arm, e.g., ethylsuccinate; and W is a derivatized solid synthesis support capable of linking to Z, e.g., an amino-dirivitized controlled pore glass. The solid support is treated with acid to remove the acid-cleavable hydroxyl protecting group.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for providing capillary electrophoresis, which includes an electronically controlled valve system for automatically introducing a sample into the capillary by means of a vacuum at the end of the capillary tube. This approach of sucking in the sample is extremely accurate and reproducible, and results in a minimum of band broadening. Furthermore, it enables the entire capillary electrophoresis sytem to be easily automated. An automated temperature control system is provided which enables the temperature of the capillary tube (and hence the solvent/solute system) to be controlled during electrophoresis, thereby very directly controlling pH and electrophoretic mobility. In another embodiment, the capillary is prewashed and equilibrated to achieve substantially zero charge on the capillary wall, thereby essentially eliminating electroosmotic flow and substantially improving resolution.

Abstract: A Capillary Electrophoresis apparatus and method are disclosed which utilize a meltable plug in an end of the capillary tube to selectively pass small ionic contaminants electrophoretically and retain macromolecular analytes against one end of the plug until the plug is melted. When this plug is melted, the analytes and the contaminants pass through unimpeded. This permits separation of the analytes from the contaminants during electrophoretic separation and enhances instrument resolution.

Abstract: Method and composition for detecting one or more selected polynucleotide regions in a target polynucleotide. In the method, a mixture of sequence-specific probes are reacted with the target polynucleotide under hybridization conditions, and the hybridized probes are treated to selectively modify those probes which are bound to the target polynucleotide in a base-specific manner. The resulting labeled probes include a polymer chain which imparts to each different-sequence probe, a distinctive ratio of charge/translational frictional drag, and a detectable label. The labeled probes are fractionated by electrophoresis in a non-sieving matrix, and the presence of one or more selected sequences in the target polynucleotide are detected according to the observed electrophoretic migration rates of the labeled probes in a non-sieiving medium.

Abstract: This invention relates to nondestructive testing of the internal structure of objects.The method for obtaining the image of The internal structure of an object consists in that the flux of a penetrating radiation emitted by a source (1) is collimated by a single-crystal monochromator (4), an object (7) is irradiated with the thus-collimated radiation, the radiation transmitted through the object (7) is collimated by a single-crystal (8) and then registered by a detector (9). According to the invention, use is made for irradiating the object, of an asymmetrical reflection of the radiation from the single-crystal monochromator (4), a pseudosheet-like beam (5) is formed, having a wide wavefront and a divergence in the Bragg diffraction plane at least twice as little as the width of the Bragg reflection of the single-crystal (8), which is set in the position of Bragg reflection with respect to the pseudosheet-like beam (5) formed by the single-crystal monochromator (4).

Abstract: An improved laryngoscope blade is described wherein the blade includes an anesthetic-containing reservoir. In a first preferred embodiment for providing an anesthetic spray at the distal end of the blade, the blade includes a conduit for providing fluid communication between the reservoir and the distal end of the blade and a fluid delivery means for expelling the anesthetic from the reservoir and for propelling it through the conduit. In a second preferred embodiment for providing an anesthetic gel to the upper surface of the blade, the blade includes a fluid conduit manifold for providing fluid communication between the reservoir and the upper surface of the blade. In an alternative preferred embodiment for providing an anesthetic gel to the tipper surface of the blade, the blade includes a porous layer located on the upper surface of the blade, the porous layer being adapted to contain an anesthetic gel.

Abstract: The invention provides uncharged water-soluble silica-adsorbing polymers for suppressing electroendoosmotic flow and to reduce analyte-wall interactions in capillary electrophoresis. In one aspect of the invention, one or more of such polymers are employed as components of a separation medium for the separation of biomolecules, such as polynucleotides, polysaccharides, proteins, and the like, by capillary electrophoresis. Generally, such polymers are characterized by (i) water solubility over the temperature range between about 20.degree. C. to about 50.degree. C., (ii) concentration in a separation medium in the range between about 0.001% to about 10% (weight/volume), (iii) molecular weight in the range of about 5.times.10.sup.3 to about 1.times.10.sup.6 daltons, and (iv) absence of charged groups in an aqueous medium having pH in the range of about 6 to about 9.

Abstract: The compounds are exemplified by the class of sulfoethyl oxygen-substituted carbamates, such compounds being useful as support reagents for automated polynucleotide synthesis of 3'-nitrogen functionalized polynucleotides. The invention includes, in one aspect, a polynucleotide synthesis reagent having the structure: ##STR1## where T is an acid-cleavable hydroxyl protecting group, e.g., 4,4'-dimethoxytritil; Q is a linker connecting the nitrogen and oxygen, e.g., n-hexyl; R.sub.1 is a nitrogen substituent, e.g., hydrogen; R.sub.2 through R.sub.4 are separately hydrogen or lower alkyl; Y is an atom which is electronegative with respect to carbon, e.g., oxygen or sulfur; X.sub.1 is an atom which is electronegative with respect to carbon, e.g., sulfone; Z is a bond or spacer arm, e.g., ethylsuccinate; and W is a derivatized solid synthesis support capable of linking to Z, e.g., an amino-dirivitized controlled pore glass.

Abstract: The invention provides uncharged water-soluble silica-adsorbing polymers for suppressing electroendoosmotic flow and to reduce analyte-wall interactions in capillary electrophoresis. In one aspect of the invention, one or more of such polymers are employed as components of a separation medium for the separation of biomolecules, such as polynucleotides, polysaccharides, proteins, and the like, by capillary electrophoresis. Generally, such polymers are characterized by (i) water solubility over the temperature range between about 20.degree. C. to about 50.degree. C., (ii) concentration in a separation medium in the range between about 0.001% to about 10% (weight/volume), (iii) molecular weight in the range of about 5.times.10.sup.3 to about 1.times.10.sup.6 daltons, and (iv) absence of charged groups in an aqueous medium having pH in the range of about 6 to about 9.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved real-time scanning fluorescence electrophoresis apparatus for the electrophoretic analysis of fluorescently-labeled polynucleotide fragments. The apparatus is characterized by having an electrophoresis chamber containing an electrophoretic separation medium capable of accommodating multiple electrophoresis lanes arranged in a planar array, a fluorescence detector mounted on a translatable stage, a light source for exciting fluorescent molecules, and a computer for collecting data consisting of time, location, fluorescence wavelength and fluorescent intensity information. The improvements herein disclosed include, (i) using a spectral-array detector for detecting the emission light from the fluorescently-labeled polynucleotide fragments including the simultaneous detection of multiple fluorescent labels, and, (ii) a temperature control means to control the temperature of the electrophoretic separation medium during electrophoresis.

Abstract: The invention is a variable mechanical transmission for converting a rotary input into a rotary output. The transmission includes a spindle for mounting, allowing for rotation in response to the rotary input, a hub mounted on the spindle for rotation therewith, and a plurality of elongate arms. The arms are each pivotally mounted on the hub, with the pivoting axes of the arms being arranged about the spindle axis. Each arm carries at its outer end a clutched pinion which rotates in one direction only. The pinions engage the teeth of a gear. The gear is mountable on a frame for rotation about a gear axis paralleling the spindle axis and also for movement on a frame between concentric and extreme eccentric positions, at which the gear axis has a minimal and maximal displacement, respectively, from the hub axis.

Abstract: A rotary scanning apparatus for scanning a plurality of separation lanes where the separation lanes are disposed in a nonplanar array. The scanning apparatus includes an optical detection system for detecting radiation emanating from the separation lanes, the optical detection system including collection optics for collecting and focusing the radiation, a detector for measuring the intensity of the radiation, and a rotary scanner for providing relative movement between the collection optics and the separation lanes.

Abstract: A capillary flowcell of this invention comprises a holding means including an optical axis, the optical axis being defined by, in sequential order, (a) a first (entrance) aperture, (b) a first lens, (c) a capillary tube having its long axis centered across the optical axis, and (d) a second lens. The first lens focuses electromagnetic radiation from the entrance aperture passes through the inner diameter of the capillary tube, thus maximizing the signal generated by the analyte within the capillary tube. The second lens focuses electromagnetic radiation which has passed through the capillary tube. Methods and apparatus pertaining to the flowcell are given.

Abstract: A Capillary Electrophoresis apparatus and method are disclosed which utilize a meltable plug in an end of the capillary tube to selectively pass small ionic contaminants electrophoretically and retain macromolecular analytes against one end of the plug until the plug is melted. When this plug is melted, the analytes and the contaminants pass through unimpeded. This permits separation of the analytes from the contaminants during electrophoretic separation and enhances instrument resolution.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved side spacers for use in slab gel electrophoresis that prevent the formation of channels between the electrophoresis gel and the side spacer and methods employing the side spacer. The improvement consists of forming the side spacer with one or more notches cut into the edge of the side spacer in contact with the gel, such that, when the gel hardens, the side spacer is anchored into the gel, thereby preventing the formation of channels between the side spacer and the gel.

Abstract: A DNA sequencing method for use in sequencing a DNA target sequence up to 300 bases, preferably up to 500 bases or greater in length, by electrophoretically separating a mixture of single-stranded DNA sequencing fragments in a capillary tube. The method employs an aqueous denaturing solution comprising between about 4 and about 7 weight percent linear polyacrylamide molecules having an average molecular weight of between about 20 and about 100 kDa. The low-viscosity of the solution allows rapid loading and reloading of such solution into the capillary tube.