Abstract: 3-alkynyl inosine analogs and their uses as universal bases are provided. The inosine analogues can be incorporated into nucleic acid primers and probes. They do not significantly destabilize nucleic acid duplexes. As a result, the novel nucleic acid primers and probes incorporating the inosine analogues can be used in a variety of methods. The analogs function unexpectedly well as universal bases. Not only do they stabilize duplexes substantially more than hypoxanthine opposite A, C, T, and G but they are also recognized in primers by polymerases, allowing efficient amplification.

Abstract: Minor groove binder phosphoramidites having the formula M-L-PA, wherein M is a minor groove binder comprising a protected heteroaromatic amine, L is a linker, and PA is a phosphoramidite group, have been synthesized. Preferred methods of synthesis include synthesizing a minor groove binder intermediate containing a transiently protected hydroxyl group, protecting heteroaromatic amines of the corresponding minor groove binder intermediate as carbamate intermediates, reacting the carbamate intermediate to remove the transient protecting group to yield carbamate-protected minor groove binder agent as an intermediate with a free hydroxyl group, and converting the intermediate with a free hydroxyl group to the desired minor groove binder phosphoramidite. These minor groove binder phosphoramidites are useful in the preparation of oligonucleotide conjugates, particularly those for use as probes and primers.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for inhibiting the actions of non-coding RNAs such as miRNAs and piRNAs are provided. The compositions comprise single or double stranded oligonucleotides conjugated with Minor Groove Binders (“MGBs”). The oligonucleotides can vary in length, can contain nucleotides having one or more modifications, and have regions that are substantially complementary to one or more mature miRNAs or piRNAs.

Abstract: 3-alkynyl inosine analogs and their uses as universal bases are provided. The inosine analogs can be incorporated into nucleic acid primers and probes. They do not significantly destabilize nucleic acid duplexes. As a result, the novel nucleic acid primers and probes incorporating the inosine analogs can be used in a variety of methods. The analogs function unexpectedly well as universal bases. Not only do they stabilize duplexes substantially more than hypoxanthine opposite A, C, T, and G but they are also recognized in primers by polymerases, allowing efficient amplification.

Abstract: Methods for the detection of ddPCR assay-generated amplicons by short minor groove binder-fluororophore-oligonucleotide-quencher (MGB-Fl-oligo-Q) probes. The short MGB-Fl-oligo-Q probes not only reduce background, but also show improved mismatch discrimination when compared to the same length non-MGB probes for detecting the ddPCR generated targets at room temperature.

Abstract: Artificial nucleosides including 2-methyl-nucleobase-substituted butane-1,3-diol nucleosides are disclosed. Four different stereoisomers of such nucleosides are possible. Oligonucleotides made up of the artificial nucleosides form homoduplexes of greater stability than DNA duplexes and have a reduced ability to hybridize to DNA or RNA.

Abstract: Methods, primers and probes are provided for the isothermal amplification and detection, without denaturation, of double stranded nucleic acid targets for polymerase strand displacement amplification (“iSDA”). The methods and compositions disclosed are highly specific for nucleic acid targets with high sensitivity, specificity and speed that allow detection of clinical relevant target levels. The methods and compositions can easily be used to amplify or detect nucleic acid targets in biological samples.

Abstract: Compounds useful in labeling biological materials are provided along with methods for their use.

Abstract: Conjugates between a minor groove binding molecule, such as the trimer of 1,2-dihydro-(3H)-pyrrolo[3,2-e]indole-7-carboxylate (CDPI3), and an oligonucleotide form unusually stable hybrids with complementary target sequences, in which the tethered CDPI3 group resides in the minor groove of the duplex. These conjugates can be used as probes and primers. Due to their unusually high binding affinity, conjugates as short as 8-mers can be used as amplification primers with high specificity and efficiency. MGB conjugation also increases the discriminatory power of short oligonucleotides, providing enhanced detection of nucleotide sequence mismatches by short oligonucleotides.

Abstract: Reagents are provided for the introduction of phosphonate groups into fluorescent dyes. Methods are also provided for preparing dye conjugates.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for inhibiting the actions of non-coding RNAs such as miRNAs and piRNAs are provided. The compositions comprise single or double stranded oligonucleotides conjugated with Minor Groove Binders (“MGBs”). The oligonucleotides can vary in length, can contain nucleotides having one or more modifications, and have regions that are substantially complementary to one or more mature miRNAs or piRNAs.

Abstract: The present invention provides amide-substituted xanthene fluorescent dyes and reagent for the introduction of phosphonate or sulfo groups into the fluorescent dyes.

Abstract: The invention provides methods to identify pRNA- and pDNA oligomer affinity pairs. Affinity pairs comprised of nucleic acid oligomers which demonstrate no cross-reactivity (“orthogonal”) are designed using software and empirically verified by thermodynamic study and lateral flow testing. The design software uses a semi-random algorithm to build such sequences of nucleic acid oligomers based on user-input parameters for affinity strength and orthogonal stringency. These pairs can be applied for use in multi-analyte solid support and lateral flow diagnostic tests.

Abstract: Reagents are provided for the introduction of phosphonate groups into fluorescent dyes. Methods are also provided for preparing dye conjugates.

Abstract: Oligonucleotide probes containing two labels are provided and are useful in hybridization assays. The probes can also contain a minor groove binding group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a negatively charged minor groove binding compound, oligonucleotide conjugates comprising the same, and methods for using the same. The negatively charged minor groove binding compounds of the present invention comprises an acidic moiety that is capable of being ionized under physiological conditions. In particular, the negatively charged minor groove binding compound of the present invention comprises a binding moiety that binds preferentially into a minor groove of a double, triple or higher stranded DNA, RNA, PNA or hybrids thereof. The binding moiety comprises at least one aryl moiety and an acidic moiety which is covalently attached to a phenyl portion of the aryl moiety or to a heteroatom of a heteroaryl portion of the aryl moiety.

Abstract: Conjugates between a minor groove binding molecule, such as the trimer of 1,2-dihydro-(3H)-pyrrolo[3,2-e]indole-7-carboxylate (CDPI3), and an oligonucleotide form unusually stable hybrids with complementary target sequences, in which the tethered CDPI3 group resides in the minor groove of the duplex. These conjugates can be used as probes and primers. Due to their unusually high binding affinity, conjugates as short as 8-mers can be used as amplification primers with high specificity and efficiency. MGB conjugation also increases the discriminatory power of short oligonucleotides, providing enhanced detection of nucleotide sequence mismatches by short oligonucleotides.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for detection and/or genotyping of nucleic acids that utilizes the specificity of an AP endonuclease. In addition, the present invention provides a novel method for nucleic acid amplification.

Abstract: Reagents are provided for the introduction of phosphonate groups into fluorescent dyes. Methods are also provided for preparing dye conjugates.

Abstract: Minor groove binder-oligonucleotide probes are provided along with methods for their use wherein the probes have an attached fluorophore which, in an unhybridized form exhibits very low background signal.