Abstract: Atropisomeric energy-transfer dye compounds are disclosed. A variety of molecular biology applications utilize atropisomeric xanthene fluorescent dyes as labels for substrates such as nucleotides, nucleosides, polynucleotides, polypeptides and carbohydrates. Methods include DNA sequencing, DNA fragment analysis, PCR, SNP analysis, oligonucleotide ligation, amplification, minisequencing, and primer extension.

Abstract: The present teachings relate to a method of filtering mass spectrometer data using a variable filter window. The width of the window can depend on the mass itself and the mass defects for a family of compounds. The teachings can be used with a plurality of compounds including but not limited to peptides and can be utilized on a brood range of mass spectrometers.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed that utilize heteroconfigurational polynucleotide comprising a D-form polynucleotide sequence portion and an L-form polynucleotide sequence portion that is covalently linked to the D-form polynucleotide sequence portion.

Abstract: Propargylethoxyamino nucleosides are disclosed having the structure wherein R1 and R2 are —H lower alkyl, or label; B is a 7-deazapurine, purine, or pyrimidine nucleoside base; W1 is —H or —H; W2 is —H or a moiety which renders the nucleoside incapable of forming a phosphodiester bond at the 3?-position; and W3 is —PO4, —P2O7, —P3O10, phosphate analog, or —OH. Additionaly, a primer extension method is provided employing the above propargylethoxyamino nucleosides.

Abstract: The invention provides for the use of sulfur nucleophiles in analyzing methylated DNA and novel sulfur nucleophiles suitable for such us.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to illuminate a target. The apparatus can comprise a first lens configured to receive light from the light source, a diffractive optical element configured to receive the light from the first lens and to regulate the light into regulated light, and second lens configured to receive the regulated light and to direct the regulated light onto a selected area of the target.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials for conversion of cytosine to uracil. In some embodiments, a nucleic acid, such as gDNA, is reacted with bisulfite and a polyamine catalyst, such as a triamine or tetra-amine. Optionally, the bisulfite comprises magnesium bisulfite. In other embodiments, a nucleic acid is reacted with magnesium bisulfite, optionally in the presence of a polyamine catalyst and/or a quaternary amine catalyst. Also provided are kits that can be used to carry out methods of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials for conversion of cytosine to uracil. In some embodiments, a nucleic acid, such as gDNA, is reacted with at least one bisulfite salt having the formula X+HSO3? or Y+2(HSO331)2; wherein X+ is ammonium ion, a tetraalkyl ammonium ion, or a group 1A ion other than sodium; and Y+2 is a group 2A ion or a group 7B ion; under conditions effective to convert at least one cytosine nucleobase to a uracil nucleobase. In some embodiments, X+ comprises at least one of lithium ion, potassium ion, ammonium ion, tetraalkylammonium ion, magnesium ion, manganese ion and calcium ion. In some embodiments, the reacting is performed optionally in the presence of a polyamine catalyst and/or a quaternary amine catalyst. Also provided are kits that can be used to carry out methods of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials for the conversion of cytosine to uracil. A nucleic acid, such a gDNA, is reacted with bisulfate, such as magnesium bisulfite, in the presence of a quaternary amine catalyst. Examples of suitable quaternary amine catalysts include but are not limited to quaternary ammonium compounds, quaternary alkyl ammonium salts, quaternary alkyl ammonium halides, quaternary methyl ammonium bromide, quaternary ammonium chloride, tetraethyl ammonium hydroxide, tetraethylammonium chloride, tetrabutyl ammonium chloride, tetrabutyl ammonium bromide. The invention also contemplates kits of premeasured ingredients for carrying out the methods of the invention either on an individual sample or on a plurality of samples.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for purifying bisulfite-treated nucleic acid samples.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for reducing stutter in the amplification of a microsatellite comprising the steps of providing a sample comprising a microsatellite having a G+C content of 50% or less; contacting the sample with at least one enzyme having nucleic acid polymerase activity; and incubating the sample with the enzyme for a sufficient amount of time and under conditions sufficient to amplify the microsatellite; wherein the incubation is performed in the presence of an amount of betaine, sorbitol or mixtures thereof, effective to reduce stutter relative to the amount of stutter observed in the absence of betaine and/or sorbitol. The invention also provides compositions containing betaine and/or sorbitol, kits for amplifying microsatellites having a G+C content of 50% or less, and methods of using all of the foregoing.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for reducing stutter in the amplification of a microsatellite comprising the steps of providing a sample comprising a microsatellite having a G+C content of 50% or less; contacting the sample with at least one enzyme having nucleic acid polymerase activity; and incubating the sample with the enzyme for a sufficient amount of time and under conditions sufficient to amplify the microsatellite; wherein the incubation is performed in the presence of an amount of betaine, sorbitol or mixtures thereof, effective to reduce stutter relative to the amount of stutter observed in the absence of betaine and/or sorbitol. The invention also provides compositions containing betaine and/or sorbitol, kits for amplifying microsatellites having a G+C content of 50% or less, and methods of using all of the foregoing.