Abstract: The present invention provides methods to obtain dry compositions of reaction compounds that maintain the biological activity of the compounds upon re-solubilization after a certain storage time. Preferably, the dry composition comprises a polymerase, and the dry composition is usable for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification after re-solubilization.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for detecting contaminated food products. For example, methods and materials for using an enzymatic amplification cascade of restriction endonucleases to detect nucleic acid of a microorganism or virus (e.g., a pathogen) within a sample (e.g., food product sample) being tested, thereby assessing a food product for possible contamination are provided.

Abstract: Efficient methods are disclosed for the high throughput identification of mutations in genes in members of mutagenized populations. The methods comprise DNA isolation, pooling, amplification, creation of libraries, high throughput sequencing of libraries, preferably by sequencing-by-synthesis technologies, identification of mutations and identification of the member of the population carrying the mutation and identification of the mutation.

Abstract: An example embodiment of the present invention discloses a method for analyzing nucleic acids in a microfluidic device. The method includes the following steps: a) nucleic acids are amplified in a first chamber in the microfluidic device; b) the amplified nucleic acids are brought into contact with an additive including: i) monovalent cations and ii) an Mg2+ ion-binding agent, the additive being provided in a second chamber in the microfluidic device; and c) the amplified nucleic acids are hybridized on at least one probe oligonucleotide.

Abstract: There is a need for nucleic acid analysis which is both specific and rapid, and in which no nucleic acid sequencing is required. The present invention addresses this need, among others by providing a method of nucleic acid amplification of overlapping sub-segments of a nucleic acid followed by molecular mass measurement of resulting amplification products by mass spectrometry, and determination of the base compositions of the amplification products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions, methods and systems for analyzing the methylation state of nucleic acids. Some embodiments relate to a compositions, methods and systems for analyzing the methylation state of DNA with a gene array.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combination of genes useful for information which can be used for the prediction of postoperative recurrence of gastric cancer and the acquisition of the information, a probe detecting these genes and a primer set for PCR, a method for detecting these genes using the primer and the primer set and a method for obtaining the information which can be used for the prediction of recurrence. Information useful for the prediction of postoperative recurrence can be obtained by determining the presence or absence of gastric cancer cells which show a possibility of postoperative recurrence in a sample such as an peritoneal wash collected from a patient by detecting a particular gene specific to gastric cancer cells or a gene product thereof.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to methods related to cloning nucleic acids from biological samples, particularly pathological tissue samples. This method includes hybridizing a population of oligonucleotide sequence probes comprising degenerate sequence tags to a fixed tissue, isolating the hybridized oligonucleotide sequence probes and amplifying the sequence tags in the hybridized oligonucleotide sequence probes. This method can be utilized to identify genes associated with disease and to quantitate the expression of disease-related transcripts. The method can also be used to identify truncated mRNAs.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to the use of novel oligonucleotides as temperature-sensitive inhibitors for thermostable DNA polymerases. Some inhibitors exhibit temperature-dependent and, in some cases, reversible inhibitory property by changing the conformation of at least a portion of the oligonucleotides from double-stranded to single stranded or in some cases vice versa in a temperature-dependent manner. Aspects also relate to the use of an the inhibitors in a hot-start PCR compositions, wherein the inhibitor may act to suppress the activity of the thermostable DNA polymerase below a desired activation temperature, Tact, and wherein the inhibitor is thermally inactivated above Tact, thus liberating the polymerase activity and initiating the DNA amplification process. Aspects further relate to a procedure for formulating the composition of a hot-start PCR reaction mixture. The hot-start PCR methods disclosed herein are generally faster, more flexible and lower in cost than existing methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions for making paired tags and paired tag libraries.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aptamer-based colorimetric sensor system for determining the presence and optionally the concentration of an analyte in a sample. Methods of utilizing the sensor system and kits that include the sensor also are provided. The sensor utilizes a linker and oligonucleotide functionalized particles to form an aggregate, which disaggregates in response to the analyte.

Abstract: The technology relates in part to quantification of a minority nucleic acid species from a nucleic acid sample. In some embodiments, methods for determining the amount of fetal nucleic acid (e.g. absolute amount, relative amount) in a maternal sample are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, and kits comprising snap-back primers used for forming 3? hairpin structures, 5? hairpin structures, and double hairpin structures. The hairpin structures may be used for detecting target sequences (e.g., such as small RNA target sequence), for detecting polymorphisms in target sequences (e.g., such as polymorphisms located near the 5? or 3? ends of the target sequence), or other nucleic acid characterization methods. In certain embodiments, the hairpin structures form invasive cleavage structures (e.g., in combination with a probe or upstream oligonucleotide) which may be cleaved by structure-specific enzymes in order to detect the presence or absence of a particular nucleotide or nucleotide sequence.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for detecting a target nucleic acid and a target protein in a single assay.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the in vivo presence of a factor that prevents the biological effect of a type I (IFN) in an individual that is under treatment with type I interferon is described. The in vivo presence of antibodies directed against a type I interferon (IFN) is evaluated in an individual that is under treatment with type I interferon. The method includes incubating a blood sample of the individual in vitro with a suitable amount of the type I interferon for a suitable period of time, and determining mRNA levels of a biological marker of IFN activity, preferably MxA, in the blood sample. The treatment may involve a treatment of multiple sclerosis, HCV or HBV using a type I interferon.

Abstract: Method of processing a biological sample to yield nucleic acid appropriate for use in a subsequent in vitro nucleic acid amplification reaction. The method involves a rapid, transient exposure to alkaline conditions which can be achieved by mixing an alkaline solution with a pH-buffered solution that includes a detergent and the biological sample to be tested for the presence of particular nucleic acid species using in vitro amplification. The invented method advantageously can improve detection of some target nucleic acids without substantially compromising detectability of others. The method is particularly useful for simultaneously preparing RNA and DNA templates that can be used in multiplex amplification reactions.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting the presence of nucleic acid sequence variants in a subpopulation of nucleic acid molecules in a biological sample. These methods are particularly useful for identifying individuals with mutations indicative of cancer.

Abstract: Encoded bead multiplex assays for chromosomal gains and losses are provided that provide the benefits of complex, large template DNA sources, such as BAC DNA, as the probe material without bead networking or other assay performance problems. Reagents for assaying DNA are described herein which include a plurality of encoded particles having attached amplicons amplified from a template DNA sequence. Each individual attached amplicon includes a nucleic acid sequence identical to a random portion of the template DNA sequence, wherein the amplicons together represent substantially the entire template DNA and wherein the nucleic acid sequence identical to a random portion of the template DNA sequence of each individual amplicon is shorter than the entire template DNA.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a novel convenient approach for DNA quantitative analysis that overcomes the disadvantages of conventional formulations. A standard DNA sample is prepared by introducing a single-base substitution into target DNA, and a predetermined amount thereof is mixed with a target DNA sample. The target and standard DNAs are amplified using the same primers designed to amplify a region comprising the single-base substitution site. To a hybridization product of a probe capable of binding to a site immediately before the single-base substitution site, ddATP, ddGTP, ddCTP, and ddTTP are sequentially added one by one to perform a complementary strand synthesis reaction. Luciferase reaction-induced luminescence derived from the formed pyrophosphoric acid is detected. The target DNA is quantitated from the amount of the detected luminescence and the amount of the added standard DNA sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the detection and characterization of HPV sequences. More particularly, the present invention provides compositions, methods and kits for using invasive cleavage structure assays (e.g. the INVADER assay) to screen nucleic acid samples, e.g., from patients, for the presence of any one of a collection of HPV sequences. The present invention also provides compositions, methods and kits for screening sets of HPV sequences in a single reaction container.