Abstract: Methods are described for the identification and preparation of nucleic acid ligands to CG-related glycoprotein hormones. Included in the invention are specific RNA ligands to hCG and hTSH identified by the SELEX method.

Abstract: Methods are described for the identification and preparation of high-affinity nucleic acid ligands to hKGF. Included in the invention are specific RNA ligands to hKGF identified by the SELEX method. Also included are RNA ligands that inhibit the interaction of hKGF with its receptor.

Abstract: The invention provided for a method of transcriptionally modulating the expression of a gene encoding a protein of interest associated with treatment of one or more symptoms of a cardiovascular disease. Further provided is a method of determining whether a molecule not previously known to be a modulator of protein biosynthesis is capable of directly and specifically transcriptionally modulating the expression of a gene encoding a protein of interest associated with treatment of one or more symptoms of a cardiovascular disease. Screening methods, including methods of essentially simultaneously screening molecules to determine whether the molecules are capable of directly and specifically transcriptionally modulating one or more genes encoding proteins of interest associated with treatment of one or more symptoms of a cardiovascular disease, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides purified and isolated polynucleotide sequences encoding human plasma platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase. Also provided are materials and methods for the recombinant production of platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase products which are expected to be useful in regulating pathological inflammatory events.

Abstract: Polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences encoding a novel tumor suppressor, HIC-1, are provided. Also included is a method for detecting a cell proliferative disorder associated with HIC-1. HIC-1 is a marker which can be used diagnostically, prognostically and therapeutically over the course of such disorders.

Abstract: The present invention and kits are directed to a method of amplifying and detecting single or double-stranded target nucleic acid molecules in a test sample. Amplification is accomplished through the use of a minimum of two oligonucleotide probe complement pairs, wherein members oligonucleotide probes from both pair of oligonucleotide probe complement pairs form a minimum of two oligonucleotide probe pairs, at least one of which is complementary to a given portion of a target nucleic acid sequence which act as template. One of the oligonucleotide probes of each oligonucleotide probe pair have an additional protecting sequence which is not complementary to the target sequence. These additional protecting sequences are preferably complementary to each other. Chemical functionality groups attached to the oligonucleotide probes covalently combine the probes to form a joined oligonucleotide product. The joined oligonucleotide product is formed without the use of enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the identification from DNA of a fragment comprising a simple tandem repeat locus comprising the steps of:i) contacting a DNA library with at least one hybridisation probe so as to identify a population of DNA fragments enriched for simple tandem repeats;ii) isolating and cloning said population; andiii) screening of the resulting DNA library so as to identify an individual fragment comprising a simple tandem repeat locus.Also provided are simple tandem repeats isolated by the method of the present invention, characterised in that they may be amplified at least in part by PCR using a specified pair of primers, together with amplification primers and probes specific to the simple tandem repeats so isolated.The present invention also provides methods of genetic characterisation using the aforementioned simple tandem repeats, primers and probes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the simultaneous amplification of multiple distinct genetic loci using PCR or other amplification systems to determine in one reaction the alleles of each of the loci contained within the multiplex.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method of detecting the presence or absence of a target molecule in a sample and a method of measuring the amount of a target molecule in a sample using nucleic acid ligands. In a preferred embodiment the nucleic acid ligands are identified by the method of the invention referred to as the Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential Enrichment (SELEX), wherein a candidate mixture of nucleic acids are iteratively enriched in high affinity nucleic acids and amplified for further partitioning.

Abstract: Nucleic acids having approximately 10 to 250 nucleotides which are capable of hybridizing to rRNA and rDNA of mycoplasma etiological agents of nongonococcal urethritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, salpingitis, and other infections due to mycoplasmas from the genital areas, Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium, and Ureaplasma urealyticum.

Abstract: The invention relates to libraries of synthetic test compound attached to separate phase synthesis supports that also contain coding molecules that encode the structure of the synthetic test compound. The molecules may be polymers or multiple nonpolymeric molecules. The synthetic test compound can have backbone structures with linkages such as amide, urea, carbamate (i.e., urethane), ester, amino, sulfide, disulfide, or carbon-carbon, such as alkane and alkene, or any combination thereof. Examples of subunits suited for the different linkage chemistries are provided. The synthetic test compound can also be molecular scaffolds, such as derivatives of monocyclic of bicyclic carbohydrates, steroids, sugars, heterocyclic structures, polyaromatic structures, or other structures capable of acting as a scaffolding. Examples of suitable molecular scaffolds are provided.

Abstract: Oligonucleotide sequences that mediate specific binding to selected target molecules and contain modified base, sugars, or sugar linkages are disclosed. Single-stranded DNA oligomers are obtained that bind to a series of biomolecules that differ in both size and composition. The range of target molecules that may be bound permits generation of binding oligomers that are specific for binding to nearly any biomolecule that is composed of amino acids, lipids and/or carbohydrates. The binding oligomers are useful for therapeutic, diagnostic and manufacturing purposes.

Abstract: The field of this invention is the detection and isolation of specific amplified DNA sequences by flow cytometry. More particularly, this invention relates to the detection of these specific amplified DNA sequences in cells so as to allow quantitation of viral burden of patients infected with a virus. The method is particularly adapted to detection of HIV-1 proviral DNA sequences and the assessment of activity of the virus in a cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mutant DNA sequence encoding protein phosphatase 1 G-subunit, wherein a mutation of G to T occurs in the position of codon 905 of the coding sequence, a method of detecting a mutation in the gene encoding protein phosphatase 1 G-subunit, as well as a diagnostic composition and a test kit for use in the method.

Abstract: The invention pertains to methods for detecting the presence or absence of a mutation associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC). The methods include providing DNA which encodes a sarcomeric thin filament protein (e.g., .alpha.-tropomyosin or cardiac troponin T) and detecting the presence or absence of a mutation in the amplified product which is associated with HC. DNA encoding an actin-associated protein, a myosin-associated protein, or a sarcomeric protein other than .beta. cardiac heavy chain can also be used in the methods of the present invention. The invention further pertains to methods for diagnosing familial HC (FHC) in a subject. These methods typically include obtaining a sample of DNA which encodes a sarcomeric thin filament protein from a subject being tested for FHC and diagnosing the subject for FHC by detecting the presence or absence of a mutation in the sarcomeric thin filament protein which causes FHC as an indication of the disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to the fabrication and use of biosensors comprising a plurality of optical fibers each fiber having attached to its "sensor end" biological "binding partners" (molecules that specifically bind other molecules to form a binding complex such as antibody-antigen, lectin-carbohydrate, nucleic acid-nucleic acid, biotin-avidin, etc.). The biosensor preferably bears two or more different species of biological binding partner. The sensor is fabricated by providing a plurality of groups of optical fibers. Each group is treated as a batch to attach a different species of biological binding partner to the sensor ends of the fibers comprising that bundle. Each fiber, or group of fibers within a bundle, may be uniquely identified so that the fibers, or group of fibers, when later combined in an array of different fibers, can be discretely addressed. Fibers or groups of fibers are then selected and discretely separated from different bundles.

Abstract: A means for cleaving a nucleic acid cleavage structure in a site-specific manner is disclosed. A cleaving enzyme having 5' nuclease activity without interfering nucleic acid synthetic ability is employed as the basis of a novel method of detection of specific nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: The invention relates to polypeptides possessing urease activity of the type expressed naturally in C. pylori and immunogenic compositions comprising those polypeptides. This invention also relates to antibodies to polypeptides possessing urease activity and use of those antibodies to detect C. pylori.

Abstract: Methods are described for the identification and preparation of high-affinity nucleic acid ligands to hKGF. Included in the invention are specific RNA ligands to hKGF identified by the SELEX method. Also included are RNA ligands that inhibit the interaction of hKGF with its receptor.

Abstract: Methods are described for the identification and preparation of nucleic acid ligands to CG-related glycoprotein hormones. Included in the invention are specific RNA ligands to hCG and hTSH identified by the SELEX method.