Abstract: There is disclosed herein a machine for performing nucleic acid amplification under computer control. The machine utilizes any one of a number of heating and cooling systems under control of a host computer which directs the heating and cooling systems to heat and cool a reaction-chamber-containing heat exchanger at appropriate times in the process. The reaction chambers are pre-loaded with the nucleic acid(s) to be amplified, a thermostable enzyme to catalyze polymerization, specific oligonucleotide primers, and four different nucleotide triphosphates. Also disclosed is the process for the amplification chain reaction implemented by the machine, which utilizes a thermostable enzyme.

Abstract: Novel expression vectors are provided for expressing a fusion glycoprotein. The fusion glycoprotein contains the N-terminal globular domain of a retroviral env surface protein linked to a selected glycopeptide. Truncation glycoproteins as well as insertion glycoproteins are expressed using the vectors.

Abstract: Amplification and/or expression of nucleic acids is carried out in a medium immobilized by using an organic and/or inorganic solid matrix penetrating the medium and having a porous, fibrous, reticulated, coiled, capillary, lamellar or folded texture and which includes the components of a cell-free enzyme system of exponential amplification of nucleic acids and/or components of a cell-free enzyme system of nucleic acid expression. In this medium, the progeny of each molecule (clone) and the expression products remain in the same zone of the reaction volume where the matrix molecule was initially located. The method permits cloning of nucleic acids in vitro as well as detection of solitary nuleic acid molecules in the sample studied.

Abstract: Mutant ribozymes are screened by culturing cells whose survival is dependant upon cleavage of RNA by a ribozyme, which cleavage causes the cells to survive in the presence of an agent which otherwise would kill the cells, and selecting cells which survive.

Abstract: Batch and continuous-flow cell-free methods for synthesizing protein wherein translation is coupled with replication of recombinant mRNA by an RNA-directed RNA polyerase, such as Q.beta. replicase. Transcription of a DNA template to produce the recombinant mRNA can be coupled additionally with coupled transcription-replication-translation methods, both batch and continuous. The invention also includes kits of reagents for synthesizing user-selected proteins according to methods of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the determination of a component of the reaction between a specific binding protein and the substance being specifically bound by such a protein comprising reacting the component to be determined with its binding partner in an insolubilized form, separating the solid phase of the reaction mixture from the liquid phase, reacting the solid phase with a determined amount of a coupling product of the substance to be determined with an enzyme, and finally determining the enzyme activity of the liquid or solid phase of the reaction mixture obtained. .Badd.