Abstract: Nucleic acid probes for detecting different strains of Citrus Tristeza Virus (CTV) were made and shown to be highly sensitive, specific, and selective. The invention also concerns a method of detection, a method of identifying novel strains of CTV, and a detection kit which employs the subject probes.

Abstract: A method for detecting a target nucleic acid molecule is provided, comprising the steps of (a) reacting a mixture comprising (i) a target nucleic acid molecule; (ii) a single-stranded nucleic acid probe containing a scissile linkage; (iii) an enzyme capable of cleaving the probe portion of a double-stranded target-probe complex at the scissile linkage; and (iv) ribosomal protein and/or spermine, under conditions and for a time sufficient to allow the target nucleic acid and probe to hybridize to each other and form a double-stranded target-probe complex, followed by cleavage of the probe and cycling of the target to a new uncleaved probe, such that one or more portions of the cleaved nucleic acid probe are released from the target-probe complex; and (b) determining whether cleaved portions of the nucleic acid probe are produced, and thereby detecting the presence of the target nucleic acid.

Abstract: A highly statistically significant correlation between ER and GATA-3 expression in breast cancers is demonstrated. Detection of GATA-3 in breast carcinoma samples provides a diagnostic test for a hormone responsive tumor. Screening for pharmacologic agents and molecular targets utilizes the GATA-3 association with breast carcinoma.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of (a) diagnosing; (b) determining the stage of; and (c) monitoring the effect of a therapeutic intervention for a renal cell carcinoma in a human subject which comprises detecting the expression of the MN gene. In one embodiment, the method is directed to detection of the renal cell carcinoma known as clear cell carcinoma. In another embodiment, the method is used as a peripheral blood assay. In another embodiment, the method is a polymerase chain reaction assay for amplifying and detecting the presence of the cDNA molecule encoding the MN protein.

Abstract: A method determining the number of repeats in a tandem repeat sequence of a nucleic acid target comprises providing an array of nucleic acid probes immobilized at spaced locations on a surface of a support. Each probe of the array has a tandem repeat sequence complementary to that in the target and containing a different number of repeats. When the target is hybridized with the array and forms a perfect match with the probe having the same number of repeats in the tandem repeat sequence, it is not removed by exonuclease treatment and can be detected on the array.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human cytochrome b5 (HCB5) and polynucleotides which encode HCB5. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells and a method for producing HCBS. The invention also provides for agonists, antisense molecules, antibodies, or antagonists of HCB5, and their use in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with expression of HCB5. The invention also provides a method for detecting polynucleotides which encode HCB5.

Abstract: The present invention relates to kits and methods for conducting fluorescence based detection assays. The kits are configured in a manner to perform the method so as to reduce or eliminate interfering fluorescence signal.

Abstract: A test method and test kit for determining a risk of diabetic complications based upon abnormal aldose reductase genetic material expression is described. Cells isolated from a patient which exhibit elevated levels of aldose reductase genetic material expression at pathophysiologic levels of glucose (about 20 mM) which can occur commonly in the cells of diabetic patients are evaluated based upon a level of expression of DNA or RNA in the cells with the glucose at the pathophysiologic level. The cells can be used to isolate DNA or RNA for a probe which detects the abnormal aldose reductase gene expression. The method can be used to determine when particular aldose reductase inhibitors can be effective for a particular patient.

Abstract: A novel Pseudomonas fluorescens is disclosed which has an antagonist property against pathogenic fungi of the genera Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Sclerotinia and Gaeumannomyces and which has a DNA that forms a PCR product band at about 800 bp when replicated and amplified by PCR using a primer DNA having the base sequence of 5'-GGCAACTGCACAAGCGCCA (SEQ ID NO: 1) and a primer DNA having the base sequence of 5'-GCCAATCACGCCCTCAAGCT (SEQ ID NO: 2) and then electrophoresed on agarose gel. This microorganism can also promote the growth of plants. A material for controlling pathogenic fungi of plants, particularly, lawn grass, a plant growth promoting material and a compost comprising the microorganism are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining whether an individual is at increased risk for thrombosis, comprising detecting the presence or absence of a genetic mutation located in the 3' untanslated region of the prothrombin gene (G to A mutation at position 20210) that is correlated with elevated prothrombin levels in individuals with the mutation, wherein the elevated prothrombin levels are associated with increased risk for thrombosis. Also provided are kits and primers that specifically hybridize adjacent to the region of the prothrombin gene that contains the G to A mutation at position 20210.

Abstract: This invention is directed to cytochrome c.sub.551 polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides.

Abstract: A method of detecting the metastasis of primary breast cancer to a lymph node is provided, comprising detecting, in lymph node tissue, the presence of a nucleic acid of c-myc, PIP or keratin-19. The presence of any one of these nucleic acids in lymph node tissue is associated with metastatic breast cancer. The presence of one or more of these markers in lymph node tissue or other tissue indicates that cells from the primary tumor have migrated from the breast tissue to the lymph node or other tissue. Also provided is a method of predicting the histopathologic stage of a cancer in a patient without having to perform a histopathologic analysis, comprising detecting, in lymph node tissue from the patient, the presence of a nucleic acid of c-myc, the presence of a nucleic acid of c-myc being correlated with stage I cancer as determined by histopathology.

Abstract: The present invention provides new methods, employing a nucleotide integrase, for cleaving single-stranded RNA substrates, single-stranded DNA substrates, and double- stranded DNA substrates at specific sites and for inserting a nucleic acid molecule into the cleaved substrate. One method uses a nucleotide integrase to cleave one strand of a double-stranded DNA substrate. The method comprises the steps of: providing a nucleotide integrase comprising a group II intron RNA having two hybridizing sequences that are capable of hybridizing with two intron RNA binding sequences on the one strand of the DNA substrate, and a group II-intron encoded protein which binds to a first sequence element of the substrate; and reacting the nucleotide integrase with the double-stranded DNA substrate under conditions that permit the nucleotide integrase to cleave the one strand of the DNA substrate and to insert the group II intron RNA into the cleavage site.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus for holding cells. The apparatus comprises a mechanism for incubating cells having a dynamically controlled closed environment in which the cells are grown, which are maintained in a desired condition and in which cells can be examined while the environment is dynamically controlled and maintained in the desired condition. The apparatus also comprises a mechanism for determining the state of the cells. The determining mechanism is in communication with the incubating mechanism. The present invention pertains to a method for holding cells. The method comprises the steps of incubating the cells in a dynamically controlled closed environment which is maintained in a desired condition and in which the cells can be examined while the environment is dynamically controlled and maintained in the desired condition. Additionally, there is the step of determining the state of the cells.

Abstract: Specific mutations in the connexin-32 gene that are associated with X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease are disclosed. Methods of diagnosing X-linked CMT disease are also disclosed. Methods include hybridization analysis, such as Southern or Northern analysis, which use hybridization of mutant connexin-32 nucleic acid probes to connexin-32 genes; direct mutation analysis by restriction digest; sequencing of the connexin-32 gene; hybridization of an allele-specific oligonucleotide with genomic DNA; or identification of mutant connexin-32 proteins. Mutant connexin-32 nucleic acid probes are also disclosed. The mutant connexin-32 nucleic acid probes have a mutation in at least one of the following codons: 13, 16, 20, 28, 29, 41, 75, 79, 80, 85, 86, 94, 106, 124, 131, 158, 161, 169, 178, 180, 189, 191, 193, 219, 220, 230, and 267.

Abstract: The present invention relates to means for the detection and characterization of nucleic acid sequences, as well as variations in nucleic acid sequences. The present invention also relates to methods for forming a nucleic acid cleavage structure on a target sequence and cleaving the nucleic acid cleavage structure in a site-specific manner. The 5' nuclease activity of a variety of enzymes is used to cleave the target-dependent cleavage structure, thereby indicating the presence of specific nucleic acid sequences or specific variations thereof. The present invention further relates to methods and devices for the separation of nucleic acid molecules based by charge.

Abstract: A purified polynucleotide having a chain of nucleotides corresponding to a mutated sequence, which in a wild type form encodes a polypeptide implicated in hereditary sensory defect, wherein said mutated purified polynucleotide presents a mutation responsible for prelingual non-syndromic deafness selected from the group consisting of a specific deletion of at least one nucleotide.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for detecting mammalian genes encoding proteins which can function in microorganisms, particularly yeast, to modify, complement, or suppress a genetic defect associated with an identifiable phenotypic alteration or characteristic in the microorganism. Disclosed also are mammalian DNA sequences cloned by the above method, as well as polypeptide products of the expression of the DNA sequences in procaryotic or eucaryotic host cells and antibody substances which are specifically immunoreactive with said expression products. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods for cloning mammalian genes which encode products which modify, complement or suppress a genetic defect in a biochemical pathway in which cAMP participates or in a biochemical pathway which is controlled, directly or indirectly, by a RAS-related protein, to products (RNA, proteins) encoded by the mammalian genes cloned in this manner, and to antibodies which can bind the encoded proteins.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for activating a thermo-enzyme reaction, such as a polymerase chain reaction or other temperature-sensitive transformation of biological systems are provided. Electromagnetic energy is applied to a target to produce a rapid elevation in the temperature of at least a portion of the target. The electromagnetic energy can be laser energy provided via a laser beam supplied from one or more laser sources. The laser beam can have a wavelength in the infrared range from 750 nm to mm. The source of electromagnetic energy can be used in association with a microscope and/or objective lens to irradiate microscopic targets.

Abstract: This invention relates to a solid phase helicase assay for identifying helicase inhibitors. The assay having a model helicase substrate adsorbed on a solid support, the model helicase substrate being an immobilized extended single-stranded nucleic acid polymer hybridized to a labeled helicase reaction product. The presence of the labeled helicase reaction product is detectable in solution on helicase activity. Also described is a method for measuring the helicase inhibiting ability of test substances thus, making the assay useful for identifying pharmaceutically important helicase inhibitors.