Abstract: The invention refers to a method for determining the relative amounts of all cholesterol-containing lipoproteins in body fluids comprising electrophoretically separating the lipoproteins of an aliquot of body fluid on a thin layer carrier matrix, incubating the carrier matrix, containing the separated lipoproteins with cholesterol esterase and cholesterol dehydrogenase, forming a provable complex, and determining the relative amounts of the different lipoprotein classes2. The new method makes it possible to simultaneously determine HDL-, LDL-, VLDL- and LP (X)-cholesterol in body fluids with a high accuracy even at small concentrations. The thin layer matrices obtained electrophoretically, are very easy to handle and to record.

Abstract: Calcium channel .gamma.-subunit-encoding cDNAs, and related compositions and methods, are provided.

Abstract: Amplification, replication or detection of a predetermined target nucleic acid can be carried out using a unique primer composition. This composition comprises and aqueous mixture of a first oligonucleotide primer which is substantially complementary to a first nucleic acid sequence of the target, but which is suspected of having one or more mismatches with the target at or near its 3' end. Also included in the composition is one or more additional primers which are complementary to a nucleic acid sequence of the target. This sequence is either: (i) inclusive of only a portion of the first nucleic acid sequence, (ii) immediately adjacent to the first nucleic acid sequence, or (iii) removed from the first sequence by one or more bases, but which additional primer is capable of forming a primer extension product complementary to the first sequence. These composition components can be supplied as part of a diagnostic test kit which can include other regents if desired.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to sodium channel proteins and more particularly to mammalian cardiac sodium channel proteins, to DNA sequences encoding sodium channel proteins, to the polypeptide products of recombinant expression of these DNA sequences, to peptides whose sequences are based on amino acid sequences deduced from these DNA sequences, to antibodies specific for such proteins and peptides, and to procedures for detection and quantitation of such proteins and nucleic acids related thereto, as well as to procedures relating to the development of anti-arrhythmic and cardiotonic drugs.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymorphic markers (two tetranucleotide, one dinucleotide repeat polymorphisms and 27 markers characterized by primer pairs 1A-27A) that are useful for human individualization. Applications are in forensic medicine and for paternity and prenatal screening as well as genetic mapping. These markers are characterized by sets of oligonucleotide primers according to the invention useful in PCR amplification and DNA segment resolution.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for disrupting cells, including microorganisms, and facilitating thereby the release of cellular components including RNA and DNA into solution. Solutions or suspensions of cells are placed in a container with minute beads of various composition. The container is then placed in an ultrasound bath or otherwise subjected to sonication until the cells disrupt releasing their cellular components, including RNA and DNA. The released RNA and DNA are then available for hybridization with genetic probes.

Abstract: Isolated DNA molecules that encode a novel PDGF receptor are disclosed. The receptor binds the AA, AB and BB isoforms of PDGF with high affinity. Cells transfected or transformed with the DNA molecules are also disclosed. The cells can be used within methods for detecting PDGF agonist or antagonist activity in a test compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymorphic markers (two tetranucleotide, one dinucleotide repeat polymorphisms, 27 markers characterized by primer pairs 1A-27A, and five markers characterized by primer pairs 1B-5B that are useful for human individualization. Applications are in forensic medicine and for paternity and prenatal screening as well as genetic mapping. These markers are characterized by sets of oligonucleotide primers according to the invention useful in PCR amplification and DNA segment resolution.

Abstract: A method and reagents are provided for determining whether a human cell is a hemopoietic cell and whether a human tissue cell is in a neoplastic state. Human cells which express only leukocyte-plastin (l-plastin) are hemopoietic cells and human cells which express both l-plastin and tissue-plastin (t-plastin) are neoplastic. The method can be performed using isoform-specific plastin nucleotide probes or isoform-specific anti-plastin antibodies.

Abstract: Strains of the Lactobacillus delbrueckii species are identified by a probe having a DNA fragment which hybridizes specifically to chromosomal DNA of strains of the L. delbrueckii species.

Abstract: A purified DNA molecule comprises a DNA sequence of approximately 15.1 kb coding for normal or mutant RYR1 protein having a molecular weight of approximately 564,740 daltons. The DNA molecule has an endonuclease restriction map of FIG. 1 and a sequence of FIG. 2.

Abstract: An improved method of determining the nucleotide base sequence of DNA is disclosed. The method comprises preparing a DNA substrate comprising a set of molecules, each having a template strand and a primer strand, wherein the 3' ends of the primer strands terminate at about the same nucleotide position on the template strands of the molecules within each set. DNA synthesis is induced to obtain labeled reaction products comprising newly synthesized DNA complementary to the template strands using the 3' ends of the primer strands to prime DNA synthesis, labeled nucleoside triphosphates, and at least one modified nucleoside triphosphate, wherein the modified nucleoside triphosphate is selected to substantially protect newly synthesized DNA from cleavage. The labeled reaction products are cleaved at one or more sites to obtain labeled DNA fragments wherein the newly synthesized DNA is substantially protected from cleavage at the selected site or sites.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the detection of nucleic acids of definite sequence by hybridisation with two single-stranded nucleic acid probes present in the same solution phase complementary to different regions of the nucleic acid to be detected, one nucleic acid probe serving as detector probe and containing as labelling at least one hapten bound via a chemical linkage and the other nucleic acid probe serving as capturing probe and being bound to a solid matrix, wherein, as hapten, a steroid is used which on at least one position of the detector probe, which does not participate in the hydrogen bridge formation with the nucleic acid to be detected, is covalently bound via a bridge of at least four atoms, the nucleic acid to be detected, present in solution, is incubated with the detector probe and the capturing probe in any desired sequence, whereby the binding of the capturing probe on the matrix with the nucleic acid to be detected is brought about before, during or after the incubation,

Abstract: A method of purifying full length synthetic target oligonucleotides from a mixture of oligonucleotides, particularly from a mixture containing truncated or failed sequences is disclosed. The method involves attaching a short nucleotide sequence complementary to the 5' end of a target oligonucleotide to a solid support. The complementarity between the most 5' nucleotides of the target oligonucleotide and the bound oligonucleotide results in hybridization which serves to retain the target oligonucleotide. Truncated or failed sequences lacking 5' sequences complementary to the attached oligonucleotide, fail to hybridize and therefore are not retained. The method makes it possible to purify gram quantities of synthetic deoxyribonucleic acids or ribonucleic acids and sequences which have modifications, such as on the phosphate backbone. The support-bound nucleotide sequences are stable under conditions of purification and therefore can be reused.

Abstract: A purified thermostable enzyme is obtained that has unique characteristics. Preferably the enzyme is isolated from the Thermus aquaticus species and has a molecular weight of about 86,000-95,000 daltons. The thermostable enzyme may be native or recombinant and may be used in a temperature-cycling chain reaction wherein at least one nucleic acid sequence is amplified in quantity from an existing sequence with the aid of selected primers and nucleotide triphosphates. The enzyme is preferably stored in a buffer containing non-ionic detergents that lends stability to the enzyme.

Abstract: This invention provides for a method of quantifying bacteria using a bacterial specific nucleic acid probe which is complementary to a unique and highly conserved region of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) of bacteria. This probe permits the rapid detection of 16S rRNA in a sample and by comparison with known standards, one can estimate the total bacterial count in the sample. The method is accurate and reproducible and conducted at temperatures of between about 120.degree. to about 40.degree. C.

Abstract: Improvements in the efficiency and sensitivity of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) detection in target sequences are realized by developing primers that are specific for nucleic acid sequences, labelling those primers with distinguishable, non-radioactive labels, such as chromophores, and applying the primers in sets such that, after amplification of the target sequence, specific sequences, in particular those of RFLPs, can be identified by virtue of the probe(s) which hybridized.

Abstract: Specific fragments of the protein PP15 were prepared by enzyme cleavage. Using statistical data, specific oligonucleotides were selected from the oligonucleotides coding for the specific PP15 fragments. These oligonucleotides were then used as probes to successfully screen a cDNA bank of mature human placenta and isolate the complete cDNA of PP15. The cDNA was sequenced and characterized. This cDNA can be used to prepare PP15 protein in prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells.

Abstract: A process for determining the genotype of an individual with respect to the alleles at the HLA DP locus involves obtaining a sample of nucleic acid from the individual, and hybridizing the nucleic acids with a panel of probes specific for variant segments of DPalpha and DPbeta genes. Because the variation between DPbeta alleles is highly dispersed throughout the second exon of the DPbeta gene, the discovery of many different DPbeta alleles makes the process far more discriminating and informative than cellular, RFLP, or serological methods. The process can also be carried out on amplified nucleic acid produced by the polymerase chain reaction using primers specific for the second exon of the DPalpha and DPbeta genes. HLA DP DNA typing methods are useful in the prevention of graft rejection and host versus graft disease, in determining susceptibility to autoimmune diseases, in providing evidence concerning the derivation from an individual of forensic samples, and in paternity testing.

Abstract: Immunoassays and nucleic acid assays are provided along with liquid perfluorocarbon supports utilized in these methods. The support is based on an inert perfluorocarbon carrier with ligands or binders for the ligands attached to its surface through a highly fluorinated isocyanate anchor group.