Abstract: Diaryl-azo derivatives are efficient fluorescence quenchers as well as nucleic acid duplex-stabilizing agents and are useful in oligonucleotide conjugates and probes. The oligonucleotide-quencher conjugates may be used in detection methods for nucleic acid targets.

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: Diaryl-azo derivatives are efficient fluorescence quenchers as well as nucleic acid duplex-stabilizing agents and are useful in oligonucleotide conjugates and probes. The oligonucleotide-quencher conjugates may be used in detection methods for nucleic acid targets.

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: Fluorescence quenching nitrodiarylethene analogs are useful in oligonucleotide conjugates and probes. These analogs, whose absorption spectra are substantially blue-shifted relatively to emission spectra of common fluorophores (such as fluorescein), do not need to rely on spectral overlap of quencher absorbance and fluorophore's emission for their quenching abilities. The oligonucleotide-quencher conjugates may be used in detection methods for nucleic acid targets.

Abstract: Primers and probes specific to genes encoding carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CREs) that include KPC (Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase), NDM-1 (New Delhi Metallo-beta-lactamase), VIM (Verona Integron-Mediated Metallo-?-lactamase), IMP-type carbapenemase and OXA 48 (oxacillinase), that cause resistance in Enterobacteriaceae bacteria, are described herein, with methods and kits for using these primers and probes to detect target nucleic acids. In the methods described, nucleic acids present in a clinical or test sample obtained from a biological sample or tissue suspected of containing the the NDM1, KPC, IMP, VIM and OXA genes are amplified and corresponding sequences for the NDM1, KPC, IMP, VIM and OXA genes are detected. The amplified nucleic acid can be detected by a variety of state of the art methods, including fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), radiolabels, enzyme labels, and the like.

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: The present methods pertain to amplifying and/or detecting Staphylococcus aureus (“SA”) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (“MRSA”) nucleic acids based on a combined detection of ldh1 as a SA marker and mecA as a MRSA marker. In certain embodiments the methods also pertain to amplifying and/or detecting one or more SCCmec integration sites or bridge regions. Primers and probes are suitable to be used in the present methods to detect SA and MRSA simultaneously in a single reaction or in separate reactions. The amplified nucleic acid can be detected by a variety of state of the art methods, including fluorescence resonance energy transfer (“FRET”), radiolabels, enzyme labels, and the like.

Abstract: The present methods pertain to amplifying and/or detecting Staphylococcus aureus (“SA”) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (“MRSA”) nucleic acids based on a combined detection of ldh1 as a SA marker and mecA as a MRSA marker. In certain embodiments the methods also pertain to amplifying and/or detecting one or more SCCmec integration sites or bridge regions. Primers and probes are suitable to be used in the present methods to detect SA and MRSA simultaneously in a single reaction or in separate reactions. The amplified nucleic acid can be detected by a variety of state of the art methods, including fluorescence resonance energy transfer (“FRET”), radiolabels, enzyme labels, and the like.

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: 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.