Abstract: A novel gene, AF1q, is described and its cDNA sequence provided. Methods are provided for detection of malignancies in humans by examining the level of expression of or the integrity of the AF1q gene.

Abstract: A cell-free system for polynucleotide amplification and translation is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for using the system and a composition which allows the various components of the system to function under a common set of reaction conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of synthesizing oligonucleotides having random tuplets using individual monomers. The steps consist of: (1) sequentially coupling monomers on separate supports to form at least two different tuplets, the coupling is performed in separate reaction vessels; (2) mixing the supports from the reaction vessels; (3) dividing the mixed supports into two or more separate reaction vessels; and (4) repeating steps (1) through (3) one or more times in the reaction vessels of step (3), wherein the last step ends at step (2). Additionally, the oligonucleotides can be cleaved from the supports.

Abstract: Methods for identifying differentially expresses genes and differences between genomic nucleic acid sequences are described. These methods typically include: (a) providing a tester DNA molecule with an amplification tag at the 5' and 3' ends of the molecule and a driver DNA or RNA molecule lacking said amplification tag; (b) hybridizing said tester and said driver molecules to form a reaction mixture, wherein said reaction mixture comprises a tester--tester homoduplex, a tester-driver heteroduplex, a driver--driver homoduplex, a single stranded driver DNA molecule and a single stranded tester DNA molecule; (c) treating said reaction mixture to reduce the number of single stranded molecules in said mixture; (d) treating said reaction mixture to remove said amplification tag from said tester-driver heteroduplex; and (e) amplifying said tester--tester homoduplex from said reaction mixture to form an amplification product, wherein steps (c) and (d) occur before step (e).

Abstract: Sets of fluorescent energy transfer labels and methods for their use in multi component analysis, particularly nucleic acid enzymatic sequencing, are provided. In the subject sets, at least two of the labels are energy transfer labels comprising a common donor and acceptor fluorophore in energy transfer relationship separated by different distances and capable of providing distinguishable fluorescence emission patterns upon excitation at a common wavelength. The subject labels find particular use in a variety of multi-component analysis applications, such as probes in FISH and multi array analyses, as well as primers in nucleic acid enzymatic sequencing applications.

Abstract: A method of mutagenesis by which a predetermined amino acid is introduced into each and every position of a selected set of positions in a preselected region (or several different regions) of a protein to produce library of mutants. The method is based on the premise that certain amino acids play crucial role in the structure and fuction of proteins. Libraries can be generated which contain a high proportion of the desired mutants and are of reasonable size for screening. This libraries can be used to study the role of specific amino acids in protein structure and function and to develop new or improved proteins and polypeptides such as enzymes, antibodies, single chain antibodies and catalytic antibodies.

Abstract: A method for quantitative and qualitative analysis of a nucleic acid analyte in a sample suspected to contain the nucleic acid analyte first combines the sample with a control nucleic acid, and two primer pairs, a first primer pair effective to amplify a conserved region of the nucleic acid analyte if present in the sample to produce a conserved fragment having a first length and to amplify the control nucleic acid to produce a control fragment having a second length different from the first length, and a second primer pair effective to amplify a second region of the nucleic acid analyte to produce a sequencing fragment. One member of the first primer pair is labeled with a detectable label, and one member of the second primer pair may be labeled with a label such as biotin effective to permit capture of the primer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to probes and primers for the detection of periodontal pathogens such as Bacteroides forsythus, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens. As well, the invention relates to rapid and sensitive methods for the detection and identification of periodontal pathogens from an oral sample taken from a patient. Diagnostic kits for the detection and identification of periodontal pathogens in an oral sample from a patient, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a number of cDNA libraries constructed from unfertilized eggs and 2-cell, 8-cell and blastocyst stage embryos, as well as a number of novel genes expressed in the 2-cell libraries.

Abstract: The invention relates to a single-stranded oligonucleotide chosen from oligonucleotides having a sequence of at least 12 consecutive nucleotide units which is included in one of the sequences SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 52, and from the oligonucleotides complementary to these oligonucleotides, and to the applications of this oligonucleotide for detecting enterobacteria.

Abstract: A method for amplification of a nucleic acid strand in a test sample. The method includes contacting the nucleic acid strand from the test sample simultaneously with at least three oligonucleotide primers. At least one primer is a promoter-primer, and at least one other primer is complementary to the nucleic acid strand, and one other primer is complementary to a strand complementary to the nucleic acid strand. The method further includes contacting the nucleic acid strand and primers with one or more proteins having RNA-directed and/or DNA-directed DNA polymerase activities, an RNA polymerase activity, and an RNAse H activity under primer-extension conditions to allow amplification of a target region in the nucleic acid strand at essentially constant temperature.

Abstract: The subject invention disclosed herein is a new gene probe biosensor and methods thereof based on surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) label detection. The SER gene probe biosensor comprises a support means, a SER gene probe having at least one oligonucleotide strand labeled with at least one SERS label, and a SERS active substrate disposed on the support means and having at least one of the SER gene probes adsorbed thereon. Biotargets such as bacterial and viral DNA, RNA and PNA are detected using a SER gene probe via hybridization to oligonucleotide strands complementary to the SER gene probe. The support means supporting the SERS active substrate includes a fiberoptic probe, an array of fiberoptic probes for performance of multiple assays and a waveguide microsensor array with charge-coupled devices or photodiode arrays.

Abstract: Novel fluorescent dyes are provided, characterized by having a fluorophore joined to a cationic chain. The dyes are found to provide for high enhancement upon binding to nucleic acid and have strong binding affinities to the nucleic acid, as compared to the fluorophore without the polycationic chain. The dyes find use in detection of dsDNA in gel electrophoresis and solution at substantially higher sensitivities using substantially less dye.

Abstract: A method of producing libraries of genes encoding antigen-combining molecules or antibodies; a method of producing antigen-combining molecules which does not require an in vivo procedure; a method of obtaining antigen-combining molecules of selected specificity which does not require an in vivo procedure; vectors useful in the present method; and antigen-combining molecules produced by the method. The antigen-combining molecules are useful for the detection, quantitation, purification and neutralization of antigens, as well as for diagnostic, therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.

Abstract: A description of an isolated CMTIA-REP sequence and DNA probes to the sequence. Methods for the use of such sequences and probes to detect peripheral neuropathies. A method for detecting Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1 by measuring the presence or absence of a DNA duplication in a gene locus associated with the CMTIA-REP sequence. A method for detecting Hereditary Neuropathy with Liability to Pressure Palsies by measuring the presence or absence of a DNA deletion in a gene locus associated with the CMTIA-REP sequence.

Abstract: A single stranded nucleic acid probe having a base sequence complementary to the gene to be detected is immobilized onto the surface of an electrode or the tip of an optical fiber, and the nucleic probe is reacted with the gene sample denatured to a single stranded form, and then the nucleic acid probe hybridized with the gene is detected. In this procedure, to the reaction system consisting of the nucleic acid probe and the gene sample, a double stranded nucleic acid recognizing substance capable of binding specifically to the double stranded nucleic acid and being active electrochemically or optically is added. The detection of the nucleic acid probe is conducted by electrochemical or optical determination utilizing the electrode or optical fiber mentioned above. By this method, safer and more convenient detection of the gene is possible at a higher sensitivity even in a reduced time period.

Abstract: The present invention provides chemically regulatable DNA sequences capable of regulating transcription of an associated DNA sequence in plants or plant tissues, chimeric constructions containing such sequences, vectors containing such sequences and chimeric constructions, and transgenic plants and plant tissues containing these chimeric constructions. In one aspect, the chemically regulatable DNA sequences of the invention are derived from the 5' region of genes encoding pathogenisis-related (PR) proteins. The present invention also provides anti-pathogenic sequences derived from novel cDNAs coding for PR proteins which can be genetically engineered and transformed into plants to confer enhanced resistance to disease.

Abstract: A process for lysing Mycobacteria to liberate nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA comprises heating the Mycobacteria in an aqueous solution to lyse the Mycobacteria and release the nucleic acids, with the aqueous solution containing a chelating agent such as EDTA or EGTA in an amount effective to inhibit degradation of the released nucleic acids. Examples of Mycobacteria which can be lysed include Mycobacterium fortuitum and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. After lysis, the nucleic acid is preferably then amplified and detected. Kits useful for carrying out the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: Heteromultimeric fluorophores are provided for binding to DNA, which allow for the detection of DNA in electrical separations and preparation of probes having high-fluorescent efficiencies and large Stokes shifts. In addition, by appropriate choice of fluorescent molecules, one can use a single narrow wavelength band excitation light source, while obtaining fluorescent emissions having sufficient separation to be readily discriminated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel human serum protein referred to as AFM, which has one or more activities in common with human serum albumin, human a-fetoprotein, or human vitamin D binding protein and which has an apparent molecular weight by SDS-PAGE of 87 kd; variants thereof; and related genes, vectors, cells and methods.