Abstract: An amino or thiol linker building block for the synthesis of amino or thiol functionalized amino acids and generally of the following structure: is provided. Such building block may be introduced in the 5? end position of an amino acid under standard coupling conditions. Such building block allows in-line coupling control, “trityl-on” purification, and solid support functionalization/derivatization. Such building block is a stable, solid compound and can therefore be easily handled. With the building block of the present invention, deprotection may be carried out under standard detritylation conditions.

Abstract: Methods and compounds, including compositions therefrom, are provided for determining the sequence of nucleic acid molecules. The methods permit the determination of multiple nucleic acid sequences simultaneously. The compounds are used as tags to generate tagged nucleic acid fragments which are complementary to a selected target nucleic acid molecule. Each tag is correlative with a particular nucleotide and, in a preferred embodiment, is detectable by mass spectrometry. Following separation of the tagged fragments by sequential length, the tags are cleaved from the tagged fragments. In a preferred embodiment, the tags are detected by mass spectrometry and the sequence of the nucleic acid molecule is determined therefrom. The individual steps of the methods can be used in automated format, e.g., by the incorporation into systems.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing oligonucleotides is claimed. The method utilizes a synthesis column incorporating a filter-like porous polymer cartridge which contains derivatized Controlled Pore Glass (CPG) or cross-linked Polystyrene (PS) directly embedded into the polymer cartridge. Small-scale synthesis of oligonucleotides of a predetermined sequence may be accomplished by introducing reagents of the phosphoramidite method into the synthesis column. These reagents flow through the cartridge allowing the reaction sequence to take place on the derivatized CPG or PS incorporated within the polymer cartridge.

Abstract: Methods and compounds, including compositions therefrom, are provided for determining the sequence of nucleic acid molecules. The methods permit the determination of multiple nucleic acid sequences simultaneously. The compounds are used as tags to generate tagged nucleic acid fragments which are complementary to a selected target nucleic acid molecule. Each tag is correlative with a particular nucleotide and, in a preferred embodiment, is detectable by mass spectrometry. Following separation of the tagged fragments by sequential length, the tags are cleaved from the tagged fragments. In a preferred embodiment, the tags are detected by mass spectrometry and the sequence of the nucleic acid molecule is determined therefrom. The individual steps of the methods can be used in automated format, e.g., by the incorporation into systems.

Abstract: A shipping container/rack for shipping and holding of specimen or culture tubes is claimed. The invention consists of a hollow housing with a plurality of wells for holding tubes upright during processing of their contents, and separate brackets for securing the tubes during shipment. The housings are joinable front-to-back for creating larger tube storage rack, and housings are also stackable one atop another. The housing provides a secure, shock-proof shipping container during shipping of filled specimen tubes and a convenient tube rack for multiple tubes during insertion, extraction, and processing of tube contents.

Abstract: Methods and compounds, including compositions therefrom, are provided for determining the sequence of nucleic acid molecules. The methods permit the determination of multiple nucleic acid sequences simultaneously. The compounds are used as tags to generate tagged nucleic acid fragments which are complementary to a selected target nucleic acid molecule. Each tag is correlative with a particular nucleotide and, in a preferred embodiment, is detectable by mass spectrometry. Following separation of the tagged fragments by sequential length, the tags are cleaved from the tagged fragments. In a preferred embodiment, the tags are detected by mass spectrometry and the sequence of the nucleic acid molecule is determined therefrom. The individual steps of the methods can be used in automated format, e.g., by the incorporation into systems.

Abstract: Tags and linkers specifically designed for a wide variety of nucleic acid reactions are disclosed, which are suitable for a wide variety of nucleic acid reactions wherein separation of nucleic acid molecules based upon size is required.