Abstract: A quantitative, sensitive, One-Step In Situ hybridization assay is provided which will detect as few as 1-5 copies of target biopolymer per cell and may be accomplished in 5 minutes to 4 hours. There is provided a simultaneous assay for detecting multiple biopolymers within the same cell.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of achieving RecA protein facilitated amplification of a double-stranded DNA target sequence having first and second complementary strands, each strand with 5' and 3' ends. The method involves complexing a primer complementary to a 5' end region of the first strand and a primer complementary to a 5' end region of the second strand with RecA protein in the presence of ATP-.gamma.-S. The complexed primers are then reacted in a mixture also containing the target sequence, all four dNTPs, RecA protein and DNA polymerase. The reaction is conducted below the temperature required for thermal dissociation of the two target strands and continued until a desired degree of amplification of the target sequence is achieved.The present invention further includes the cloning and identification of the coding sequences for the RecA protein of Thermus aquaticus.

Abstract: A marking device for marking numbers on tickets of games of chance, such as "throw-away" bingo tickets, includes a container having a mouth and a porous applicator body mounted into the mouth. An aqueous, translucent, vibrant colored, substantially freely flowing liquid ink composition is contained in the container, and is applied to the game-of-chance tickets through the porous applicator body. The ink contains, in the aqueous medium, a dyed melamine copolymer resin which is known and available in the trade under the DAYGLO mark. The dyed melamine copolymer pigment provides the unusually bright color to the ink composition of the invention.

Abstract: A method of assaying for the presence or quantity of a suspect nucleic acid in a suspect sample using a modified genetic probe in combination with an imaging procedure. The probe is modified by addition and provides an easy and very effective technique of modifying a genetic probe preparatory to its use in a kit. The genetic probe is then introduced into contact with DNA or RNA of the suspect sample and permitted to hybridize therewith. A kit for performing an assay using the modified probe is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gene and gene structure coding for an aminotransferase, and microorganisms which express this gene The preparation of L-2-amino-4-methylphosphinobutyric acid (L-PPT) by transamination of (3-carboxy-3-oxopropyl)-methylphosphinic acid with the aid of the L-PPT-specific transaminase from E. coli DH 1 is very much more efficient when the gene coding for this enzyme is isolated, incorporated into a plasmid and then a microorganism is transformed therewith.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and compositions are presented for ligating ligands together which bind to a common target. One embodiment includes polynucleotide probes having photoreactive functional groups. The probes are capable of assuming substantially contiguous reactive positions on a target polynucleotide placing the photoreactive groups in juxtaposition. Activation of the photoreactive functional groups with radiant energy form a probe reaction product in which the probes are bound to each other.

Abstract: DNA sequences encoding the beta-amyloid core protein, and beta-amyloid-related proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease are disclosed. These sequences are used in producing or constructing recombinant beta-amyloid core protein, beta-amyloid-related proteins and recombinant or synthetic immunogenic peptides. These sequences are also used to identify genomic mutations and/or restriction site alterations which are associated with a predisposition to Alzheimer's disease, for purposes of genetic screening. Antibodies generated against the recombinant proteins or immunogenic peptides derived therefrom can be used for cerebral fluid or serum protein diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Method for simultaneous identification of overlapping cosmid clones among multiple cosmid clones and the use of the method for mapping complex genomes are provided. A library of cosmid clones that contains the DNA to be mapped is constructed and arranged in a manner such that individual clones can be identified and replicas of the arranged clones prepared.In preferred embodiments, the clones are arranged in a two dimensional matrix. In such embodiments, the cosmid clones in a row are pooled, mixed probes complementary to the ends of the DNA inserts int he pooled clones are synthesized, hybridized to a first replica of the library. Hybridizing clones, which include the pooled row, are identified. A second portion of clones is prepared by pooling cosmid clones that correspond to a column in the matrix. The second pool thereby includes one clone from the first portion pooled clones. This common clone is located on the replica at the intersection of the column and row.

Abstract: A diagnostic reagent and system for determination of a single-stranded polynucleotide analyte having a selected target sequence. The reagent includes a solid support and multiple support-bound polymers designed to bind specifically to the analyte. Each polymer is composed of a sequence of base-complementary recognition moieties which can bind specifically to corresponding contiguous bases in the analyte target sequence, and an unbranched, substantially uncharged, substantially stereoregular backbone. A reporter in the system contains (a) a polycationic tail effective to bind electrostatically to the analyte, under conditions in which the reporter does not bind to the substantially uncharged polymers, and (b) reporter groups by which the presence of the reporter can be detected.

Abstract: A method of detecting point mutation in nucleic acids is described which comprises hybridizing a piece of control DNA or RNA without mutations with a piece of test DNA or RNA generally corresponding to the test DNA or RNA but possibly with mutations to produce a heteroduplex, treating the heteroduplex with hydroxylamine or osmium tetroxide and with piperidine, and subjecting the resulting material to separation treatment. Individual strands of both senses of control nucleic acid can be labelled in turn allowing detection of all possible mutations.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a nucleic acid probe containing a nucleic acid sequence, wherein the said sequence is linked at its 5' end, via a divalent bifunctional chemical "arm" L, to a "labeling component" M, M being a synthetic or natural molecule which is directly or indirectly detectable in a non-isotopic manner, according to the formula I: ##STR1## in which J=H or OHn denotes the number of nucleotides from 1 to 100,000B is a purine or pyrimidine nucleic acid base, which varies according to the nucleotide, as appropriate.The subject of the invention is also a process for preparing such probes, employing an intermediate compound consisting of a nucleotide synthon of formula IV ##STR2## in which J, B, L and R.sub.1 have the meanings given above, B optionally being protected,R.sub.2 denotes H or any phosphorylated group, optionally protected, suited to the introduction of the compound of formula IV at the 5' end of another nucleotide, for a given type of internucleotide-assembling synthesis.

Abstract: Methods of immobilizing nucleic acid on a solid surface for us in nucleic acid hybridization assays is disclosed. The methods of the invention comprise reacting a modified nucleic acid strand comprising a variable portion and an anchor portion wherein the variable portion comprises a nucleotide sequence having a selected base sequence and the anchor portion comprises at least one nucleotide base modified with a primary amine function or nucleotide base equivalent having a primary amine function and reacting the modified nucleic acid strand with a free aldehyde group of the solid surface in the presence of a reducing agent to form complexes of the modified nucleic acid strand and at least a portion of the free aldehyde groups on the solid surface.

Abstract: The present invention are nucleic acid probes which are highly selective for DNA specific to one sex of a livestock species, particularly pigs and chickens, and methods for their isolation, characterization, and utilization. These probes can be applied in a variety of methods for assaying the ratio of male to female mammalian sperm in an isolated fraction or the sex of an egg, as well as for determining the sex of an embryo in the early stages of development.Genomic DNA from whole blood taken from a male and a female animal was digested with various restriction enzymes and the products compared on agarose gels. A band of approximately 4 kilobases in a EcoR1 digest of male pig DNA was absent in female pig DNA. In the chickens, a band of approximately 600 bases and a band of approximately 1200 bases were present in a XhoI digest of female DNA which was not present in the male DNA. The sex-specific DNA was then ligated into a vector and transformed into E. coli.

Abstract: Specific nucleic acid sequences are amplified through the use of a hairpin probe which, upon hybridization with and ligation to, a target sequence is capable of being transcribed. The probe comprises a single stranded self-complementary sequence which, under hybridizing conditions, forms a hairpin structure having a functional promoter region, and further comprises a single stranded probe sequence extending from the 3' end of the hairpin sequence. Upon hybridization with a target sequence complementary to the probe sequence and ligation of the 3' end of the hybridized target sequence to the 5' end of the hairpin probe, the target sequence is rendered transcribable in the presence of a suitable RNA polymerase and appropriate ribonucleoside triphosphate (rNTPs).

Abstract: A method for determining the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide complementary to at least a portion of an original peptide or protein. In one aspect the method involves: (a) determining a first nucleotide sequence of a first nucleic acid coding for the biosynthesis of at least a portion of the original peptide or protein; (b) ascertaining a second nucleotide sequence of a second nucleic acid which base-pairs with the first nucleotide sequence of the first nucleic acid, the first and second nucleic acids pairing in antiparallel directions; and (c) determining the amino acid sequence of the complementary polypeptide by the second nucleotide sequence when read in the same reading frame as the first nucleotide sequence.

Abstract: A method for obtaining polynucleotide sequences which are useful for detecting Variable Tandem Repeat polymorphism at multiple genetic loci and other genetic analyses under high stringency conditions (hence, with high specificity) is herein disclosed. Also disclosed are polynucleotide sequences and other compositions useful for DNA polymorphism and other genetic analyses.

Abstract: A cleavage promoting agent comprising as an effective ingredient at least one of the polypeptides BUF-3, BUF-4 and BUF-5 is useful for the treatment of fertilized or unfertilized ova in order to promote cell division and improve reproduction efficiency.

Abstract: Single-stranded DNA probes complementary to a hypervariable region of Campylobacter 16S rRNA are useful in distinguishing species of this pathogen from one another. The probes find practical application in diagnosing human and animal diseases caused by this organism from clinical samples, such as fecal material. They are also useful in differentiating Campylobacter species based on RFLP analyses.

Abstract: The sequence of the protein coding regions of the bcl-2 gene are provided as well as bacterial clones which produce the proteins. Assays are provided for detecting a class of B-cell neoplasms associated with a chromosome translocation between chromosomes 14 and 18. The translocation is involved in the majority of cases of human follicular lymphomas. One assay employs an antibody which is immunoreactive with a human protein which is over-expressed due to the chromosome translocation. Another assay involves measurement of the amount of mRNA which hybridizes to the gene proximal to the translocation break-point.