Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for changing the state of differentiation of a eukaryotic cell, the methods comprising introducing mRNA encoding one or more reprogramming factors into a cell and maintaining the cell under conditions wherein the cell is viable and the mRNA that is introduced into the cell is expressed in sufficient amount and for sufficient time to generate a cell that exhibits a changed state of differentiation compared to the cell into which the mRNA was introduced, and compositions therefor. For example, the present invention provides mRNA molecules and methods for their use to reprogram human somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods, compositions and kits for synthesizing sense RNA molecules from one or more RNA molecules of interest in a sample. In exemplary embodiments, the methods use a terminal tagging oligoribonucleotide (rTTO) to join a DNA sequence tag to the 3?-termini of first-strand cDNA molecules. The use of an rTTO comprising ribonucleotides results in decreased oligonucleotide-derived background synthesis of RNA in the absence of sample RNA and, surprisingly and unexpectedly, also results in significantly increased yields of sense RNA molecules that exhibit sequences that are substantially identical to those of the RNA molecules of interest in the sample. The sense RNA molecules also have an RNA sequence tag on their 5?-termini that is useful for fixing the lengths of sense RNA molecules that are synthesized in a second or subsequent round.

Abstract: Methods are provided for adding a terminal sequence tag to nucleic acid molecules for use in RNA or DNA amplification. The tag introduced may be used as a primer binding site for subsequent amplification of the DNA molecule and/or sequencing of the DNA molecule and therefore provides means for identification and cloning of the 5?-end or the complete sequence of mRNAs.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions and kits for using an RNA polymerase for making transcription products corresponding to a target sequence by obtaining single-stranded DNA transcription substrates that comprise a single-stranded promoter that is operably joined to a single-stranded target sequence. The invention has broad applicability for research, diagnostic and therapeutic applications, such as preparing cDNA corresponding to full-length mRNA, making sense or anti-sense probes, detecting gene- or organism-specific sequences, cloning, cell signaling or making RNA for use in RNAi.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods, compositions and kits for synthesizing sense RNA molecules from one or more RNA molecules of interest in a sample. In exemplary embodiments, the methods use a terminal tagging oligoribonucleotide (rTTO) to join a DNA sequence tag to the 3?-termini of first-strand cDNA molecules. The use of an rTTO comprising ribonucleotides results in decreased oligonucleotide-derived background synthesis of RNA in the absence of sample RNA and, surprisingly and unexpectedly, also results in significantly increased yields of sense RNA molecules that exhibit sequences that are substantially identical to those of the RNA molecules of interest in the sample. The sense RNA molecules also have an RNA sequence tag on their 5?-termini that is useful for fixing the lengths of sense RNA molecules that are synthesized in a second or subsequent round.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods, compositions and kits for synthesizing sense RNA molecules from one or more RNA molecules of interest in a sample. In exemplary embodiments, the methods use a terminal tagging oligoribonucleotide (rTTO) to join a DNA sequence tag to the 3?-termini of first-strand cDNA molecules. The use of an rTTO comprising ribonucleotides results in decreased oligonucleotide-derived background synthesis of RNA in the absence of sample RNA and, surprisingly and unexpectedly, also results in significantly increased yields of sense RNA molecules that exhibit sequences that are substantially identical to those of the RNA molecules of interest in the sample. The sense RNA molecules also have an RNA sequence tag on their 5?-termini that is useful for fixing the lengths of sense RNA molecules that are synthesized in a second or subsequent round.