Abstract: We have now discovered that eukaryotes, including mammals, have a DNA mismatch repair pathway analogous to the pathway that exists in bacteria. Defects or alterations in this mismatch repair pathway in a mammal, such as a human, will result in the accumulation of unstable repeated DNA sequences. Such a phenotype has a high correlation to disease state in a number of cancers, such as hereditary colon cancers. Accordingly, discovering a defect or alteration in the pathway can be diagnostic of a predisposition to cancer, and prognostic for a particular cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the amplification of mRNA of a sample, comprising the steps of i.) generating cDNA from polyadenylated RNA employing at least one primer hybridizing to said polyadenylated RNA and comprising a 5? poly(C) or a 5? poly(G) flank; ii.)(aa) if present, removing non-hybridized, surplus primer(s) and/or surplus dNTPs; ii.)(ab) 3? tailing of said generated cDNA with a poly(G) tail when in step i.(a) primer(s) comprising a 5? poly(C) flank was employed or a poly(C) tail when in step i.(a) primer(s) comprising a 5? poly(G) flank was employed; or ii.)(b) 3? tailing of said generated cDNA with a poly(G) tail when in step i.(a) primer(s) comprising a 5? poly(C) flank was employed or a poly(C) tail when in step i.(a) primer(s) comprising a 5? poly(G) flank was employed using an RNA-ligase, irrespective of the presence or absence of surplus primer(s) and/or surplus dNTPs; and iii.

Abstract: The present invention provides diagnostic/prognostic screening methods for identifying alternations in the sequence of a km23 nucleic acid or polypeptide form. Furthermore, the invention relates to mutations in the km23 gene in human cancers and their use in the diagnosis and prognosis of human cancer. Specific mutations in the km23 gene associated with ovarian cancers have been identified. The invention also provides human km23 polypetides, fragments and mutants thereof, oligonucleotides and primers directed to km23 nucleic acid forms, expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, antagonists and their use for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases associated with the expression or activity of km23, or with defects in the signaling pathway for TGF? superfamily members.

Abstract: The present invention provides for selection of bovine animals that will display phenotypes associated with increased rates of growth. These phenotypes include hot carcass weight, average daily gain, shipping weight, end of test rib eye area, and adjusted weaning weight which is a measure of post-natal growth, based on the knowledge of their CRH, POMC and MC4R genotypes. The predictive value comes from the discovery that certain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in these genes are linked to higher growth rate phenotypes. Specifically, the phenotypes that correlated with specific SNP's are end-of-test rib-eye area, adjusted weaning weight, average daily gain, shipping weight and hot carcass weight. The invention also provides novel kits that can be used in making the determination of these genotypes.

Abstract: Unsymmetrical cyanine dyes that incorporate an aza-benzazolium ring moiety are described, including cyanine dyes substituted by a cationic side chain, monomeric and dimeric cyanine dyes, chemically reactive cyanine dyes, and conjugates of cyanine dyes. The subject dyes are virtually non-fluorescent when diluted in aqueous solution, but exhibit bright fluorescence when associated with nucleic acid polymers such as DNA or RNA, or when associated with detergent-complexed proteins. A variety of applications are described for detection and quantitation of nucleic acids and detergent-complexed proteins in a variety of samples, including solutions, electrophoretic gels, cells, and microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for rapid forensic investigations by identification of bioagents associated with biowarfare and acts of terrorism or crime. The methods are also useful for epidemiological investigations by genotyping of bioagents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods of detecting a target using a labeled substrate or substrate analog. The methods comprise reacting the substrate or substrate analog in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction which produces a labeled moiety with independently detectable signal only when such substrate or substrate analog reacts. The present invention, in particular, describes methods of detecting a nucleic acid in a sample, based on the use of terminal-phosphate-labeled nucleotides as substrates for nucleic acid polymerases. The methods provided by this invention utilize a nucleoside polyphosphate, dideoxynucleoside polyphosphate, or deoxynucleoside polyphosphate analogue which has a colorimetric dye, chemiluminescent, or fluorescent moiety, a mass tag or an electrochemical tag attached to the terminal-phosphate. When a nucleic acid polymerase uses this analogue as a substrate, an enzyme-activatable label would be present on the inorganic polyphosphate by-product of phosphoryl transfer.

Abstract: Nature evolves biological molecules such as proteins through iterated rounds of diversification, selection, and amplification. The present invention provides methods, compositions, and systems for synthesizing, selecting, amplifying, and evolving non-natural molecules based on nucleic acid templates. The sequence of a nucleic acid template is used to direct the synthesis of non-natural molecules such as unnatural polymers and small molecules. Using this method combinatorial libraries of these molecules can be prepared and screened. Upon selection of a molecule, its encoding nucleic acid template may be amplified and/or evolved to yield the same molecule or related molecules for re-screening. The inventive methods and compositions of the present invention allow for the amplification and evolution of non-natural molecules in a manner analogous to the amplification of natural biopolymer such as polynucleotides and protein.

Abstract: Devices for detecting a transient electrical signal in a sample are provided. Also provided are systems that include the subject devices. The subject devices and systems find use in a variety of applications, particularly in the characterization of a sample, and more particularly in the characterization of molecular entities in the sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to DNA polymorphisms in sterol regulator element binding proteins (SREBP) that are characteristic of a higher risk of genetic diseases in humans such as hyperchlolesterolemia. The corresponding polymorphisms, especially the polymorphisms on SREBP-1 and SREBP-2 are frequently observed in Alzheimer patients (SREBP-2). They are also characterized by a specific behavior in the therapy of HIV patients with proteas inhibitors and appear to have an influence on the mortality.

Abstract: Aplasia of the corpus callosum or aspermatogenesis is diagnosed by investigating existence or expression of the BT-IgSF gene with use of a primer for PCR or probe for hybridization comprising a DNA coding for a novel cell adhesion molecule (BT-IgSF) defined in the following (A) or (B) or a partial sequence thereof: (A) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of the amino acid numbers 1 to 409 of SEQ ID NO: 2; (B) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence of the amino acid numbers 1 to 409 of SEQ ID NO: 2 including substitution, deletion, insertion or addition of one or several amino acids and having a function as a cell adhesion molecule.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the identification, isolation and characterization of regulatory DNA sequences in a cell of interest are provided. Also provided are libraries of regulatory sequences obtained according to the methods, and databases comprising collections of regulatory sequences for a particular cell of interest. In addition, various uses for the regulatory sequences so obtained, and uses for the databases of regulatory sequences, are provided. Also disclosed are computer systems and computer program products for utilizing the databases to conduct various genetic analyses, and uses of accessible regulatory sequences in the design of vectors bearing transgenes.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of lymphadenopathy virus, which has been designated Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1). This invention relates to a diagnostic means and method to detect the presence of DNA, RNA or antibodies of the lymphadenopathy retrovirus associated with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome or of the lymphadenopathy syndrome by the use of DNA fragments or the peptides encoded by said DNA fragments. The invention further relates to the DNA fragments, vectors comprising them and the proteins expressed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of investigational bioinformatics and more particularly to secondary structure defining databases. The present invention further relates to methods for interrogating a database as a source of molecular masses of known bioagents for comparing against the molecular mass of an unknown or selected bioagent to determine either the identity of the selected bioagent, and/or to determine the origin of the selected bioagent. The identification of the bioagent is important for determining a proper course of treatment and/or irradication of the bioagent in such cases as biological warfare. Furthermore, the determination of the geographic origin of a selected bioagent will facilitate the identification of potential criminal identity.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides having nucleoside phosphoramidase activity, and methods of screening for nucleoside phosphoramidate compounds that are cleaved by a phosphoramidase or for phosphoramidases that are able to cleave phosphoramidate compounds. The invention also provides methods of delivering a nucleoside monophosphate.

Abstract: The invention relates to kits and methods for assessing skin health for a human and the human's susceptibility to skin disorders. The methods involve assessing occurrence in the human's genome of one or more polymorphisms (e.g., single nucleotide polymorphisms) that occur in one or more genes associated disclosed herein and that are associated with a disorder in humans. Preferred assessment and scoring methods are disclosed, as are kits for performing the methods.

Abstract: A method of protecting the 3? end of a DNA molecule from nuclease damage is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises the step of exposing the DNA molecule to a preparation of DdrA protein.

Abstract: The present teachings relate to methods, compositions, and kits for detecting one or more target polynucleotide sequences in a sample, and methods compositions and kits for forming concatameric ligation products. In some embodiments of the present teachings, oligonucleotides are hybridized to complementary target polynucleotides and are ligated together to form a concatameric ligation product. In some embodiments of the present teachings, the concatameric ligation product can be amplified, and the identity and quantity of the target polynucleotides determined based on sequence introduced in the ligation reaction. Some embodiments of the present teachings provide methods for removing unligated probes from the reaction mixture. Some embodiments of the present teachings provide for highly multiplexed detection, identification, and quantification of a plurality of target polynucleotides using a variety of analytical procedures.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of lymphadenopathy virus which has been designated Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1). This invention relates to a diagnostic means and method to detect the presence of DNA, RNA or antibodies of the lymphadenopathy retrovirus associated with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome or of the lymphadenopathy syndrome by the use of DNA fragments or the peptides encoded by said DNA fragments. The invention further relates to the DNA fragments, vectors comprising them and the proteins expressed.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an identification and/or quantification method of a large number of biological organisms groups at different levels (family, genus, species) or part of those (possibly present in a biological sample) by a detection of their nucleotide sequence.