Abstract: A novel heterogenous purification method is disclosed. The method removes a macromolecule from a liquid by allowing the macromolecule to undergo a specific binding affinity reaction with a bidentate conjugate. The method is carried out by immobilizing the bidentate conjugate on a solid phase, contacting the bidentate conjugate with the liquid comprising the macromolecule, and separating the immobilized bidentate conjugate from contact with the liquid, thereby removing the macromolecule from the liquid to obtain either purified macromolecule or a purified liquid.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates chromophore-containing polynucleotides having at least two donor chromophores operatively linked to the polynucleotide by linker arms, such that the chromophores are positioned by linkage along the length of the polynucleotide at a donor-donor transfer distance, and at least one fluorescing acceptor chromophore operatively linked to the polynucleotide by a linker arm, such that the fluorescing acceptor chromophore is positioned by linkage at a donor-acceptor transfer distance from at least one of the donor chromophores, to form a photonic structure for collecting photonic energy and transferring the energy to an acceptor chromophore, and methods using the photonic structures.

Abstract: New methods for purifying Hepatitis A virus (HAV) are to commercial scale-up and manufacture of specific HAV vaccines, including formalin-inactivated HAV and attenuated HAV.

Abstract: Polynucleotide sequences and cloned DNA fragments useful for visualizing DNA polymorphism and other genetic analyses are disclosed herein. Specifically, polynucleotide probes and methods are employed to identify Variable Tandem Repeat (VTR) polymorphisms useful in paternity determination, forensics testing, disease diagnostics, cell line identification, ro chimerism/mosaicism determination as in distinguishing zygosity or following transplantation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a quantitative sensitive method to enable the detection of point mutations at a known site to a diagnostic kit which uses a multi step (for example, four steps) or a single step reaction. The method uses selective polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of mutant test gene sequences involving first stage amplification of both mutant and wild-type sequences, first stage restriction enzyme digestion of only wild-type sequences, second stage amplification of undigested amplified fragments enriched in mutant sequences and second stage digestion of previously undigested wild-type sequences. Long and short tail primers are used in the first and second stages of amplification respectively to enable selective amplification (in the second stage) of only previously amplified material and none of the original test genomic DNA.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating the activity of RNA are provided. Oligonucleotides are hybridized with an RNA structure to form a stable heteroduplex so that the RNA is no longer recognized by its regulatory protein after oligonucleotide binding. Reactive moieties can be tethered to the oligonucleotide that enhance its activity. Antisense oligonucleotides directed against HIV TAR are provided.

Abstract: Monodisperse, superparamagnetic particles carrying a plurality of molecules of an oligonucleotide are disclosed and may be used inter alia for sequencing single-stranded nucleic acids. The oligonucleotide may be covalently attached or affinity bonded to the particles either by their 3' or 5' termini. The particles have a specific gravity in the range 1.1-1.8 and are 1-10 microns in diameter. A kit for the isolation or processing of target nucleic acid is also disclosed.

Abstract: Four new strains of Bacillus thuringiensis are disclosed which are active against Coleoptera. The novel strains are identified through PCR technology using mixtures of carefully selected oligonucleotide primers that aid in the prediction of insect toxicity profile for the proteins produced by the strains.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing prostate metastasis is provided by the present invention whereby RNA from a patient's blood is isolated and amplified using a pair of primers which are complementary to regions of the prostate specific antigen gene. The presence or absence of amplified RNA is detected and the presence of amplified RNA is indicative micrometastasis of prostate cancer.

Abstract: This invention is directed to methods for determining a nucleotide sequence of a nucleic acid using positional sequencing by hybridization, and to the creation of nucleic acids probes which may be used with these methods. This invention is also directed to diagnostic aids for analyzing the nucleic acid composition and content of biological samples, including samples derived from medical and agricultural sources.

Abstract: The present invention concerns oligonucleotide probes for detecting Coccidioides immitis. The probes are capable of distinguishing between Coccidioides immitis and closely related phylogenetic neighbors. These probes are targeted to unique Coccidioides immitis 28S rRNA and gene sequences encoding 28S rRNA, and may be used in an assay for the detection and/or quantitation of Coccidioides immitis, e.g., in samples of sputum, urine, blood, tissue sections, food, soil and water.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the amplification of nucleic acids in the form of DNA or RNA from blood samples by means of an enzymatic amplification method, characterized in that no preparation of the blood sample otherwise necessary to prepurify the nucleic acid to be amplified is performed and the proportion of the sample in the reaction mixture for the amplification process is greater than 5 volume % if a specific amount of salt is present in the reaction mixture. Depending on the proportion of blood sample and its salt contribution of monovalent and/or bivalent ions, the salt concentration in the reaction mixture in which the amplification is performed is, where applicable, adapted to the enzyme requirements by the use of an appropriately concentrated salt solution.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method that relates to the measurement of determinants related to the in-vivo induction of spermidine/spermine N.sup.1 -acetyltransferase (SSAT), subsequent to polyamine analog treatment (such as with a bis-ethyl spermine analog) of human malignant solid tumor types responsive to the polyamine analog. The method comprises the measurement of one or more SSAT-specific determinants that include SSAT enzyme activity, SSAT enzyme protein, and SSAT m-RNA transcripts. Alternatively, other determinants related to the SSAT induction may be measured. Such determinants include SSAT co-factor acetylCoenzyme A, and SSAT products N.sup.1 -acetylspermidine and N.sup.1 -acetylspermine. Measurements of these determinants may be useful as prognostic indicia and tumor response markers to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of anticancer agents comprising polyamine analogs.

Abstract: A method for preselecting a nucleic acid sequence of interest is provided. The method comprises immobilizing an affinity molecule to a solid support matrix, wherein the affinity molecule is specific for a hapten or target molecule; hybridization of a "hook" comprised of either an oligonucleotide (complementary to the sequence of interest) labeled with a hapten or target molecule to the target recombinant vector containing the nucleic acid sequence of interest; capturing of the vector-hook via the hapten or target molecule by the respective immobilized affinity molecule for which it has binding specificity; liberating the captured vector DNA by enzymatic digestion of either the hook, or of the immobilized affinity molecule; and adding and incubating competent host cells to promote the introduction of recombinant vector DNA into the competent host cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transformed yeast cell containing a first heterologous DNA sequence which codes for a mammalian G protein coupled receptor and a second heterologous DNA sequence which codes for a mammalian G protein .alpha. subunit (mammalian G.sub..alpha.). The first and second heterologous DNA sequences are capable of expression in the cell, but the cell is incapable of expressing an endogenous G protein .alpha.-subunit (yeast G.sub..alpha.). The cells are useful for screening compounds which affect the rate of dissociation of G.sub..alpha. from G.sub..beta..gamma. in a cell. Also disclosed is a novel DNA expression vector useful for making cells as described above. The vector contains a first segment comprising at least a fragment of the extreme amino-terminal coding sequence of a yeast G protein coupled receptor.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process to test the association of an allele and a disease, especially a non-Mendelian disease. The process involves a comparison of the proportion of test individuals who have the disease and carry the allele from a set of families in which the allele is present and the proportion of test individuals expected to carry the allele if there is no association between the gene and the disease.

Abstract: Hepatitis C virus oligonucleotides and a system to determine hepatitis C virus genotypes with polymerase chain reaction utilizing those oligonucleotides as primers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a promoter screening vector, to methods for the identification and isolation of Streptomyces promoters using the screening vector, and to the isolated promoters themselves, preferably the pS1 and P14 (SEQ2ID NO: 1) promoters of the S. ghanaensis phase I19.

Abstract: A nucleotide polymer probe having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 or SEQ ID NO. 6 able to hybridize at 60.degree. C. in 0.1M lithium succinate buffer containing 10% lithium lauryl sulfate to rRNA or rDNA from Coccidioides immitis and not to rRNA or rDNA from Auxarthron thaxteri, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Geotrichum candidum, Gymnoascus dugwayensis, Histoplasma capsulatum, and Malbranchea albolutea. A method to distinguish Coccidioides immitis from Auxarthron thaxteri, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Geotrichum candidum, Gymnoascus dugwayensis, Histoplasma capsulatum, and Malbranchea albolutea using said probe is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for isolating mRNAs as cDNAs employs a polymerase amplification method using at least two oligodeoxynucleotide primers, one being short with arbitrary sequence and another being either short with arbitrary sequence or being capable of hybridizing to the region near the mRNA polyA tail. The oligodeoxynucleotide that is capable of hybridizing to the region near the polyA tail is used as a primer for reverse transcription of the mRNA and the resultant cDNA is amplified with a polymerase using both oligodeoxynucleotides as a primer set.