Abstract: The teachings relate to methods and kits for detecting whether target nucleic acid sequences are present and/or quantitating target nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: The present invention provides mutant DNA polymerases, polynucleotides encoding the polymerases, cassettes and vectors including such polynucleotides, and cells containing the polymerases, polynucleotides, cassettes, and/or vectors of the invention. The present invention also provides methods for synthesizing polynucleotides and kits including a DNA polymerase of the invention.

Abstract: Recombinational cloning is provided by the use of nucleic acids, vectors and methods, in vitro and in vivo, for moving or exchanging segments of DNA molecules using engineered recombination sites and recombination proteins to provide chimeric DNA molecules that have the desired characteristic(s) and/or DNA segment(s).

Abstract: Novel cap analogs which are easily synthesized, resulting in high levels of capping efficiency and transcription and improved translation efficiencies are provided. Such caps are methylated at the N7 position of one or both guanosines of the dinucleotide cap as well as at the 3? position on the ribose ring. Substituent groups on the ribose ring also result in the cap being incorporated in the forward orientation. Also provided are methods useful for preparing capped analogs and using mRNA species containing such analogs are also contemplated herein, as well as kits containing the novel cap analogs.

Abstract: Methods and materials are disclosed for use in recovering a biopolymer from a solution. In particular, the invention provides methods for extraction and isolation of nucleic acids from biological materials. The nucleic acids can be separated by forming a stable complex with soluble polysaccharide polymers and magnetic particles, in the presence of detergents and solvent. When the particles are magnetically separated out of the solution, the nucleic acids are separated with them. The nucleic acids can subsequently be released and separated from the particles. The nucleic acid preparation is useful for achieving efficient and accurate results in downstream molecular techniques such as quantification, identification of the source of the nucleic acids, and genotyping.

Abstract: The present teachings relate to improved methods, kits, and reaction mixtures for amplifying nucleic acids. In some embodiments a novel direct buffer formulation is provided which allows for the direct amplification of the nucleic acids in a crude sample with minimal sample purification.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for separating different polynucleotide populations in a mixture are provided, wherein different polynucleotides or polynucleotide populations are captured on different solid support. After hybridization, polynucleotides are selectively released from a selected support by altering a physical property of that support. The released polynucleotides can be eluted from a common flow path and isolated.

Abstract: A composition for sequencing DNA is provided and comprises a nuclease and a nuclease-resistant sequencing primer. A method of preparing DNA for sequencing and a method of sequencing DNA are also provided. The method of sequencing DNA can comprise contacting amplification reaction products with the composition under conditions in which excess amplification primer is degraded by the nuclease and the nuclease-resistant sequencing primer is essentially non-degraded.

Abstract: This invention is related to compositions and methods pertaining to PNA synthons, PNA oligomers and/or PNA/DNA Chimeras comprising a universal base.