Abstract: The present invention provides novel polymorphisms on the Y chromosome and methods of using these polymorphisms as well as known polymorphisms on the Y chromosome as indicators of evolutionary heritage. The polymorphisms of the present invention clustered to specific regions of the Y chromosome, and polymorphisms of particular use to the present methods are found in the non-recombining region of the human Y chromosome (NRY). These polymorphisms, including SNPs, insertions, and deletions, may be useful for numerous applications, including forensics, paternity testing, diagnosis and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for detecting disease by analysis of a patient sample to determine the integrity of nucleic acids in the sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery that a putative gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with no previously identified function is responsible for the ability of the bacterium to activate thioamide drugs. Since M. tuberculosis has a low rate of synonymous mutations, all mutations in this gene, identified as Rv3854c and now termed “EtaA,” are expected to inhibit the ability of a bacterium with the mutation to activate a thioamide or thiocarbonyl drug. Thus, detecting a bacterium with a mutation in this gene indicates that the bacterium is resistant to treatment with thioamides.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a rapid and simple method for determining organisms and/or cells in a sample. Generally, the method is directed to the use of molecular probes to selectively stain the organisms and/or cells for determination wherein growth medium, fixative reagents and/or excess molecular probes need not be separated before a determination is made.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diagnostic test method for detecting a tendency to rifampin resistance caused by mutations in a rpoB gene of M. tuberculosis, comprising the steps of (i) extracting genomic DNA from a biological sample containing M. tuberculosis cells; (ii) amplifying from the extracted genomic DNA the rpoB gene coding sequence or at least one distinct fragment thereof containing nucleotides encoding at least one test amino acid of the group consisting of amino acid numbers 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516, 517, 518, 522, 526, 529, 531, 533 to produce fluorescently labeled amplification product; (iii) contacting said fluorescently labeled amplification product with a first control array of oligonucleotide probes having DNA sequences specific to the wildtype M. tuberculosis rpoB gene coding sequence, including the nucleotides encoding the at least one test amino acid, and with a second test array of oligonucleotide probes having DNA sequences specific to the M.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for desalting nucleic acid samples. The method involves contacting a liquid sample comprising a nucleic acid and an ionic salt with an ion exchanger comprising an insoluble phosphate salt, removing said liquid, and eluting said nucleic acid from the ion exchanger. The desalted nucleic acids provided by the methods of the invention are suitable for a wide variety of analytic and diagnostic applications, including high-throughput assays.

Abstract: The present invention is based upon the identification of genes which are differentially expressed in hypertrophic cardiac tissue as compared to normal cardiac tissue. Accordingly, the present invention provides nucleotide sequences of genes selected from the group consisting of CH-1, CH-2, CH-3, CH-4, CH-5, CH-6, CH-7, CH-8, and CH-9, and amino acid sequences of their encoded proteins, as well as derivatives (e.g., fragments) and analogs thereof. The invention also provides therapeutic methods and pharmaceutical compositions which are based on the promotion or inhibition of the function of the differentially expressed genes. The invention further provides methods of diagnosis, prognosis and screening for a disposition for diseases or disorders associated with cardiac hypertrophy. Methods for screening for modulators of the protein products of the differentially expressed genes in cardiac hypertrophy tissue are additionally provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods to detect VZV in biological samples using real-time PCR. Primers and probes for the detection of VZV are provided by the invention. Articles of manufacture containing such primers and probes for detecting VZV are further provided by the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting microorganisms in a sample by means of a nucleic acid probe. Conventional detection methods are, for example, the in-situ hybridization of microorganisms with fluorescence-labeled oligonucleotide probes (fluorescent in-situ hybridization). A disadvantage of said method is that an epifluorescence microscope is required for evaluating the results. According to the invention, the disadvantages of the in-situ hybridization method are overcome by hybridizing the microorganisms to be detected in a sample with a specific nucleic acid probe, removing non-hybridized nucleic acid probe molecules, separating and then detecting and optionally quantifying the hybridized nucleic acid probe molecules.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing prostate cancer in a human patient comprising the steps of obtaining a sample containing nucleic acid and/or protein from prostate cells of a patient, and determining whether the sample contains a level of Pax 2 nucleic acid or protein associated with prostate cancer. A method of treating prostate cancer comprising the step of administering to the patient an agent which selectively prevents the function of Pax 2. A genetic construct comprising a nucleic acid encoding a molecule capable of preventing the function of Pax 2 expressed in a prostate cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel diagnostic method for the detection of infertility in males. In particular, the present invention relates to a diagnostic method for detecting the presence or absence of a mutation or mutations in the POLG gene encoding mitochondrial DNA polmerase in a biological sample. The invention relates also to the use of a mutant POLG gene in the detection of infertility in males and in the screening of human populations for the presence of such mutation or mutations as a predictive test for male infertility. The invention also relates to the use of the POLG gene as an indicator of other pathological conditions associated with or related to male infertility, including those manifesting in women.

Abstract: The present invention relates to prognostic method and means for determining susceptibility to heart disease in a subject by screening for polymorphisms in the Vitamin D receptor gene. In particular, the present invention provides a method for determining susceptibility to heart disease, the method comprising analysing the genetic material of a subject to determine which of the B/b, A/a or T/t alleles of the restriction enzyme sites BsmI, ApaI and TaqI respectively are present. Specific combinations of alleles represent a haplotype which is associated with susceptibility to heart disease.

Abstract: In gene expression frequency analysis, a vector primer to which each cDNA is ligated is formed by synthesizing the cDNA from each mRNA using by a vector primer having a poly(T) sequence; each cDNA sequence is converted to a tag on the vector primer; a concatemer is formed by ligating the obtained tags via a sequence that enables recognition of ends of the tags; and the nucleotide sequence of the concatemer is analyzed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a prognostic method and means for determining susceptibility to bone damage in a subject, by screening for polymorphisms in the Vitamin D receptor or collagen I&agr;1 genes. In particular, the method for determining susceptibility to bone damage comprises analyzing the genetic material of a subject to determine which of the B/b, A/a or T/t alleles of the restriction enzyme sites BsmI, ApaI and TaqI respectively are present. The method may further comprise determining which allele is present at die SpI restriction site of the collagen I&agr;1 gene. Specific combinations of the above alleles represent a haplotype which is associated with susceptibility to bone damage.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the susceptibility of a NIDDM patient towards sulfonylurea therapy by obtaining a sample from a NIDDM patient where the sample includes nucleic acid molecules containing a fragment of the SUR1 gene comprising the nucleotide in position −3 of exon 16 and detecting the presence or absence of the −3 t allele in position −3 of exon 6 whereby the presence of at least one −3 t allele identifies a NIDDM patient with a high susceptibility towards sulfonylurea therapy.

Abstract: This invention provides the identification of a truncation polymorphism of the mdr1 gene that is linked to ivermectin sensitivity in subjects, such as collies. Also provided are methods for detecting drug transport sensitivity in a subject, and animal models and in vitro cell systems using cells from animals having an mdr1 truncation.

Abstract: Methods are provided for detecting an alteration in a target nucleic acid. Methods of the invention are useful for detecting and identifying mutations that are indicative of disease or the predisposition for disease.

Abstract: An oncogene designated PAX8-PPAR&ggr;1 contains a PAX8 coding region fused to PPAR&ggr; coding region. Molecular characterization of PAX8-PPAR&ggr;1 molecules provides nucleotide and amino acid sequences useful for detection and treatment of certain tumors, particularly thyroid follicular carcinomas.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel oligonucleotide primers for phosphotidyl inositol in B. cereus the primer comprising PI-1 (F) 5′ AGTATGGGGAATGAG 3′ PI-1 (F) 5′ ACAATTTTCCCACGA 3′ and to a method for the detection of B. cereus in foods in a mixed microflora.

Abstract: The present invention provides corn that includes the MON810 event, which confers resistance to Lepidopteran insect damage. Also provided are assays for detecting the presence of the MON810 event based on the DNA sequence of the recombinant construct inserted into the corn genome that resulted in the MON81O event and of genomic sequences flanking the insertion site.