Abstract: An apparatus and method for purification of nucleic acids of cells or viruses are provided. The nucleic acid purification apparatus includes: a cell lysis capillary having a sample inlet through which samples and magnetic beads are introduced; a vibrator attached to the capillary and mixing the samples and the magnetic beads in the capillary; a laser generator attached to the capillary and supplying a laser to the capillary; and a magnetic force generator attached to the capillary and fixing the magnetic beads to a capillary wall. According to the method and apparatus, PCR yield can be increased since PCR inhibitors can be readily removed by means of a phase separation in a capillary. The use of an electromagnet ensures the removal of the PCR inhibitors. In addition, since cell lysis and DNA purification process can be simultaneously performed, LOC steps can be reduced.

Abstract: A method for determining the sequence of at least a portion of a single-stranded nucleic acid molecule by base-specifically labeling the exposed bases of the nucleic acid molecule using heavy element-substituted nucleotide bases which form Watson-Crick type base-pairs with the exposed bases of the nucleic acid molecule and then imaging the labeled single-stranded nucleic acid molecule using electron microscopy, e.g., transmission electron microscopy (TEM), or some other method that permits discrimination of the heavy element substituted nucleotide bases is described. The image is analyzed to determine the base sequence of at least a portion of the nucleic acid molecule.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of sequencing a target nucleic acid molecule having a plurality of bases. In its principle, the temporal order of base additions during the polymerization reaction is measured on a molecule of nucleic acid, i.e. the activity of a nucleic acid polymerizing enzyme on the template nucleic acid molecule to be sequenced is followed in real time. The sequence is deduced by identifying which base is being incorporated into the growing complementary strand of the target nucleic acid by the catalytic activity of the nucleic acid polymerizing enzyme at each step in the sequence of base additions. A polymerase on the target nucleic acid molecule complex is provided in a position suitable to move along the target nucleic acid molecule and extend the oligonucleotide primer at an active site.

Abstract: The present invention features a method and associated kit for increasing the association rate between polynucleotides having complementary, single-stranded regions, where the method includes providing to a test sample containing the complementary polynucleotides one or more synthetic, water soluble polycationic polymers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and methods for assaying nucleic acid molecules with reduced levels of background signal and enhanced specificity and sensitivity. In particular, the present invention provides a system and methods for detecting, sorting, tracking and characterizing nucleic acid molecules using hybridization assays with reduced levels of undesirable cross hybridization and reduced levels of intramolecular secondary structure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of sequencing a target nucleic acid molecule having a plurality of bases. In its principle, the temporal order of base additions during the polymerization reaction is measured on a molecule of nucleic acid, i.e. the activity of a nucleic acid polymerizing enzyme on the template nucleic acid molecule to be sequenced is followed in real time. The sequence is deduced by identifying which base is being incorporated into the growing complementary strand of the target nucleic acid by the catalytic activity of the nucleic acid polymerizing enzyme at each step in the sequence of base additions. A polymerase on the target nucleic acid molecule complex is provided in a position suitable to move along the target nucleic acid molecule and extend the oligonucleotide primer at an active site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to two new wave field microscopes, type I and type II, which are distinguished by the fact that they each have an illumination and excitation system, which include at least one real and one virtual illumination source, and at least one objective lens (in the case of type II), i.e., two objective lenses (in the case of type I), with the illumination sources and objective lenses being so positioned with respect to one another that they are suited for generating one-, two-, and three-dimensional standing wave fields in the object space. The calibration method in accordance with the present invention is adapted to this wave field microscopy and permits geometric distance measurements between fluorochrome-labeled object structures, whose distance can be less than the width at half maximum intensity of the effective point spread function. The invention relates moreover to a method of wave-field microscopic DNA sequencing.

Abstract: A novel biosensor comprises at least one fluorophore and at least two quenchers, and is capable of selectively and specifically detecting the presence of an ion in the presence of other ions.

Abstract: Novel DNA sequence determination method and DNA sequencer system providing a sequencing speed 103 to 104 times faster than the current DNA sequencing speed (105 bases per day with a lane at maximum) of the existing DNA sequencer based on electrophoresis. The method includes the step of discriminating base-specific labels of heavy elements using a magnified image of elongated single-chain DNA or RNA produced by a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The DNA sequencer system uses this method. The invention provides a DNA sequencing speed that is higher than the existing speed by 3 or 4 orders of magnitude.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for the detection of one or more mRNA transcripts in paraffin-embedded tissue by “mRNA liberation in fixed-treated tissue or ‘MLIFTT’”. This method includes treating the tissue with ammonia-ethanol and sodium borohydride combined with pressure cooking of the tissue. The chemical treatments reduce the tissue autofluorescence and the physical treatments overcome the interference created by the fixation-induced chemical bonds. The methods of the present invention can be utilized to identify a plurality of mRNA transcripts in a microarray format.

Abstract: An assay for detection of a mammalian cell proliferative disorder associated with a hypermutable nucleic acid sequences is provided. The identification of particular hypermutable sequences such as microsatellite loci correlates with a particular cancer, thereby allowing detection of both primary tumors and metastatic sites within a patient.

Abstract: This invention provides improved components (e.g. array “pins”, print head, substrate platen, print head platen, and the like) for microarray printing devices as well as microarray printing devices incorporating such components. In one embodiment, this invention provides a microarray print head comprising a plurality of glass or quartz spotting capillaries disposed in a support that maintains a fixed spacing between the spotting capillaries and that permits the spotting capillaries to move in a direction parallel to the long axis of the capillaries.

Abstract: An oligonucoeotide selected from the group consisting of ISN2 (SEQ ID NO: 43), ISN2* (SEQ ID NO: 44), ISN (SEQ ID NO: 34), ISP2 (SEQ ID NO: 46), ISP2* (SEQ ID NO: 45) and ISP (SEQ ID NO: 33).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for to conduct transgenic and targeted mutagenesis screening of genomic DNA. This invention also provides a system for screening DNA for a designated genetic sequence. The system includes a computer having a processor, memory and web browser, wherein the computer receives instructions concerning the designated genetic sequence and other screening parameter selected from a remote user via a form of electronic communication, and an automatic screening device that analyzes samples of genomic DNA for the designated sequence.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods related to human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTRT), the catalytic protein subunit of human telomerase. The polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention are useful for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of human diseases, for changing the proliferative capacity of cells and organisms, and for identification and screening of compounds and treatments useful for treatment of diseases such as cancers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are substrates comprising reactive ion etched surfaces and specific binding agents immobilized thereon. The substrates may be used in methods and devices for assaying or isolating analytes in a sample. Also disclosed are methods of making the reactive ion etched surfaces.

Abstract: Haplotypes in the CDK5 gene associated with cognitive response to galantamine treatment are disclosed. Compositions and methods for detecting and using these CDK5 haplotypes in a variety of clinical applications are disclosed. Such applications include articles of manufacture comprising galantamine or derivatives thereof that are approved for treating patients having one of these CDK5 haplotypes, methods and kits for predicting the response of an individual to galantamine based upon his/her haplotype profile, and methods for treating Alzheimer's patients based upon their haplotype profile.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for conducting chemical or biochemical reactions on a solid surface within an enclosed chamber. The invention may be used in conducting hybridization reactions, as of biopolymers such as DNA, RNA, oligonucleotides, peptides, polypeptides, proteins, antibodies, and the like. In another aspect, the invention provides an improved method for mixing a thin film of solution, as in a hybridization chamber. The invention further provides a kit for carrying out the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dendrimer-based biochip, wherein a flow channel through which a solution containing biopolymer molecules is flowed is formed in the substrate of the biochip, a plurality of dendrimer molecules one end of each of which is bound to the walls of the flow channel are formed thereon, and probe biopolymer or antibody molecules are bound to the tips of the dendrimer molecules so that, if the probe biopolymer molecules are bound, then target biopolymer molecules can be captured by means of a complementary combination and, if the antibody molecules are bound, then protein can be extracted by means of antigen-antibody reaction, whereby biopolymers can be retrieved in a highly efficient manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods for labeling nucleotides. The method of the invention for labeling nucleotides comprises the steps of: reacting a reactive moiety of a linker, which linker is a platinum compound having a stabilizing bridge and two reactive moieties, with an electron donating moiety of a spacer, which spacer comprises a chain having at least four atoms and at least one heteroatom in the chain, which spacer further comprises said electron donating moiety at one end of the chain and a reactive moiety at the other end of the chain; reacting the reactive moiety of said spacer with a label; reacting the other reactive moiety of said linker with a nucleotide. A major advantage of the invention is that all nucleotides can be labeled by the method of the invention, whereas until now the attachment of a label was mostly restricted to one or certain nucleotides.