Abstract: Oligonucleotide primers and methods for identifying strains of bacteria by genomic fingerprinting are described. The methods are applicable to a variety of samples. The testing procedure includes amplifying the bacterial DNA in the sample to be tested by adding a pair of outwardly-directed primers to the sample. The primers are capable of hybridizing to repetitive DNA sequences in the bacterial DNA and extending outwardly from one hybridizable repetitive sequence to another hybridizable repetitive sequence. After amplification the extension products are separated by size and the specific strain of bacteria is determined by measuring the pattern of sized extension products. The procedure to identify strains of bacteria by fingerprinting has a variety of uses including: identifying bacteria in infections, agriculture and horticulture plots, bioremediation, food monitoring, production monitoring and quality assurance and quality control.

Abstract: Novel mycoplasmas are described which are prominent in patients who are thought to be suffering from AIDS. Devices are also provided for the in vitro detection of mycoplasmas in biological fluid by means of a reagent which is specific for the mycoplasma group without being specific for particular species within said group. Devices for testing mycoplasma sensitivity to antibiotics are also described.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for extending a primer to produce a single stranded polydeoxynucleotide that has two or more defined sequences. A combination is provided which comprises a template polynucleotide, a blocker polynucleotide, a primer polynucleotide and a polynucleotide Q. The template polynucleotide has three sequences T1, T2 and T3 wherein T1 is non-contiguous and 3' of T3 and wherein the 5' end of T3 is 5' of the 5' end of T2. The primer polynucleotide has a second defined sequence at its 3' end that is hybridizable with T1. The blocker polynucleotide has sequence B1 that is hybridizable with T3. Polynucleotide Q has sequences S1 and S2 wherein S1 is 3' of S2 and homologous with T2 and S2 is complementary to a first defined sequence that is to be introduced at the 3' end of the polynucleotide primer, when it is extended during the method of the invention. Polynucleotide Q is either attached to the 5' end of the blocker polynucleotide or present as a separate reagent.

Abstract: A method of detecting nucleic acid sequences in which polymers of selected oligonucleotide probes which are complementary to a region in a nucleic acid sequence that is to be detected are bound to a substrate. The polymers bound to the substrate contain multiple randomly repeated copies of a specific oligonucleotide probe and may be synthesized using enzymatic amplification techniques.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for extending a primer to produce a single stranded polydeoxynucleotide that has two or more defined sequences. A combination is provided which comprises a template polynucleotide, a blocker polynucleotide, a primer polynucleotide and a polynucleotide Q. The template polynucleotide has three sequences T1, T2 and T3 wherein T1 is non-contiguous and 3' of T3 and wherein the 5' end of T3 is 5' of the 5' end of T2. The primer polynucleotide has a second defined sequence at its 3' end that is hybridizable with T1. The blocker polynucleotide has sequence B1 that is hybridizable with T3. Polynucleotide Q has sequences S1 and S2 wherein S1 is 3' of S2 and homologous with T2 and S2 is complementary to a first defined sequence that is to be introduced at the 3' end of the polynucleotide primer, when it is extended during the method of the invention. Polynucleotide Q is either attached to the 5' end of the blocker polynucleotide or present as a separate reagent.

Abstract: Novel mycoplasmas are described which are prominent in patients who are thought to be suffering from AIDS. Devices are also provided for the in vitro detection of mycoplasmas in a biological fluid by means of a reagent which is specific for the mycoplasma group without being specific for particular species within said group. Devices for testing mycoplasma sensitivity to antibiotics are also described.

Abstract: Nucleic acids can be amplified and detected using a very rapid polymerase chain reaction procedure in which two different nucleic acid sequences are present. This method allows one to preferentially modulate (for example, suppress) the degree of amplification of one or more nucleic acid sequences relative to other nucleic acid sequences. This modulation is achieved by exploiting differences in the relative primer melt temperatures, or by using certain ratios of primers. Each PCR cycle is very fast, that is less than about 90 seconds. This method is particularly useful for amplification and detection of DNA associated with infectious agents that may be present in a specimen in very small quantities compared to other nontargeted nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for detecting chromosome abnormalities correlated with lung cancer. The method contacting a nucleic acid sample from a patient with a probe which binds selectively to a target polynucleotide sequence correlated with lung cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for isolating and cloning receptor DNA sequences. The invention also provides novel DNA sequences encoding a novel somatostatin receptor subtype.

Abstract: Assays for target molecules in cells and viruses whereby the use of free radical scavengers leads to decreased autofluorescence.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of detecting infection of a blood sample by various strains of bovine diarrhoea virus (BVD) including a first test wherein anti-bovine diarrhoea virus antibodies are detected by means of a recombinant antigen comprising the BVD p80 protein expressed by a eukaryotic host and a second test wherein viral particles are detected by means of antibodies directed against the BVD p80 viral protein. The method is particularly useful in detecting pathogenic conditions such as persistent viremias and acute infections caused by BVD viruses, and is particularly advantageous because it is an extremely sensitive and efficient test and because it is capable of detecting infections caused by any one of a wide variety of BVD strains. The recombinant antigen employed in the method is preferably encoded by the nucleotide sequence listed as SEQ ID No: 1.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel methods of optimally analyzing commonly obtained prenatal cell samples by in situ hybridization. In addition, this method diagnoses gene deletion and gene multiplication using multicolor in situ hybridization. A method is also provided to use multicolor in situ hybridization to identify chromosomal haplotypes co-segregating with disease-related genetic alterations and with normal genes. This haplotype in situ protocol simplifies haplotype segregation analysis in pedigrees.

Abstract: Y-chromosome specific hybridization probes for prenatal sexing are provided capable of hybridizing only to Y-chromosome specific DNA sequences of bovine and other ruminants and are suitable for sexing embryos at or before the time of embryo transfer with essentially 100% accuracy.

Abstract: An RNA amplification method is particularly useful for diagnosing bacterial or viral infections or genetic disorders and for cell typing. The method includes the steps of denaturing a solution containing RNA, synthesizing a first cDNA strand from a suitable primer in the presence of reverse transcriptase, denaturing the heteroduplex formed, synthesizing a second cDNA strand from a second primer in the presence of DNA polymerase and then subjecting the cDNA formed to a sufficient number of amplification cycles. All the reactants and solvents are first placed in the same container to provide a single manipulation step that avoids the risk of contamination.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel methods of optimally analyzing commonly obtained prenatal cell samples by in situ hybridization. In addition, this method diagnoses gene deletion and gene multiplication using multicolor in situ hybridization. A method is also provided to use multicolor in situ hybridization to identify chromosomal haplotypes co-segregating with disease-related genetic alterations and with normal genes. This haplotype in situ protocol simplifies haplotype segregation analysis in pedigrees.

Abstract: An aqueous composition containing primers for opposing strands of two or more target nucleic acids can be used in polymerase chain reaction to provide simultaneously rapid and efficient amplification and detection of those nucleic acids. The primers for each target DNA differ in length by no more than 5 nucleotides and have a T.sub.m within the range of from about 65.degree. to about 74.degree. C., while the T.sub.m 's are within about 5.degree. C. of each other. Such compositions are useful in diagnostic test kits and methods for amplification and detection of multiple nucleic acids, or in "multiplexing", using multiple capture probes. All of the capture probes have T.sub.m 's which are greater than 50.degree. C. and are within 15.degree. C. of each other.

Abstract: A new process and kit are described that combines methods for generating the nucleotide base sequence of a DNA molecule with an ultra-sensitive silver staining protocol. This new combination of technologies allows for a direct, non-instrument based visualization of electrophoretically separated sequencing fragments. This non-radioactive system includes sequencing the DNA molecule by forming a set of fragments using an enzymatic dideoxy-mediated chain termination method, electrophoretically separating the DNA fragments on a gel medium, and exposing the gel medium to ultra-sensitive silver-staining solutions for a time determined by viewing the silver stain reacted primer extension products.

Abstract: The present invention concerns products and methods particularly useful for activating and analyzing non-dividing cell nuclei. The featured products include activating egg extracts, cytostatic factor (CSF) extracts, kits containing these extracts, and a microchamber microscope slide useful in analyzing nucleus activation.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a method of diagnosing tumorigenic mammalian cells or the propensity of a mammalian cell to become tumorigenetic. Additionally, the present invention relates to a cloned cDNA or genomic DNA for reducing the propensity of a cell to become tumorigenic or suppressing tumorigenic phenotype of a cell; a method of reducing the propensity of a cell to become tumorigenic or suppressing the tumorigenic phenotype of a cell; a method of treating a patient suffering from or predisposed to subsequent cancer development; and a method of diagnosing tumorigenic tissue of a human or tissue predisposed to become tumorigenic.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel human serum protein and nucleic acid 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.