Abstract: This invention discloses high-affinity oligonucleotide ligands to the thermostable Taq polymerase and Tth polymerase. Specifically, this invention discloses DNA ligands having the ability to bind to the Taq and Tth polymerases and the methods for obtaining such ligands. The ligands are capable of inhibiting polymerases at ambient temperatures.

Abstract: Combinations, called matrices with memories, of matrix materials that are encoded with an optically readable code are provided. The matrix materials are those that are used in as supports in solid phase chemical and biochemical syntheses, immunoassays and hybridization reactions. The matrix materials may additionally include fluophors or other luminescent moieties to produce luminescing matrices with memories. The memories include electronic and optical storage media and also include optical memories, such as bar codes and other machine-readable codes. By virtue of this combination, molecules and biological particles, such as phage and viral particles and cells, that are in proximity or in physical contact with the matrix combination can be labeled by programming the memory with identifying information and can be identified by retrieving the stored information. Combinations of matrix materials, memories, and linked molecules and biological materials are also provided.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for preparing a therapeutic or diagnostic complex comprised of a nucleic acid ligand and a lipophilic compound or non-immunogenic, high molecular weight compound by identifying a nucleic acid ligand by SELEX methodology and associating the nucleic acid ligand with a lipophilic compound or a non-immunogenic, high molecular weight compound. The invention further discloses complexes comprising one or more nucleic acid ligands in association with a lipophilic compound or non-immunogenic, high molecular weight compound.

Abstract: It has been discovered that a single set of conditions can be used to detect nearly every interaction of RNA binding proteins and RNA molecules. Prior to this discovery it was thought that each specific interaction required separate optimized conditions in order to be detected. Assays employing the disclosed universal conditions are useful for identifying RNA binding proteins that interact with specific RNA molecules of interest, detecting RNA molecules that interact with specific RNA binding proteins of interest, identifying RNA binding proteins active in certain cell types and under certain physiological conditions, identifying specific regions of an RNA molecule that interact with RNA binding proteins. Screening assays employing the disclosed universal conditions are useful for identifying compounds that modulate RNA/RBP interactions of interest.

Abstract: A method of detecting a target nucleic acid A is disclosed, comprising hybridizing the target nucleic acid A with a probe nucleic acid B which contains a sequence B1 which base pairs with a part of the target nucleic acid A and a sequence B2, cleaving the hybridized probe nucleic acid B to produce a cleavage product B' containing the sequence B2, hybridizing the cleavage product B' with a template nucleic acid C containing a sequence C2 which base pairs with a part of the cleavage product B' and a sequence C1 which does not hybridize with the sequence B1 of the probe nucleic acid B, extending the hybridized cleavage product B' with an extension sequence B3 which is template-specific to a part of the sequence C1, hybridizing a probe D with the extension product, wherein the probe D contains a sequence D1 which base pairs with the extension sequence B3 and a sequence D2, and detecting any of the various products formed throughout the method. Products for performing the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods of generating polynucleotide sequencing reaction products from cycle sequencing and relates to various instruments and reagents for use in the subject methods. The use of "step-down" thermal profiles in conjunction with cycle sequencing is described. Step-down thermal profiles are formed by combining several thermal cycle sets such that the annealing temperature of each thermal cycle set is less than the annealing temperature of the preceding thermal cycle set. One embodiment of the invention is a method of generating a plurality of polynucleotide sequencing reaction products in parallel by subjecting a plurality of sequencing solution preparations to a step-down thermal profile, i.e., exposure to repeated thermal cycle sets, each thermal cycle set having an annealing temperature that is lower than the annealing temperature of the annealing phases of the preceding thermal cycle set.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel BLNK proteins, nucleic acids and antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rapid and sensitive method for assaying nucleic acids by means of hybridization techniques, wherein the detector probes are modified primers being incorporated into copies of the target nucleic acid before the hybridization reaction and a reagent combination as well as a kit therefor. The invention also provides a method for assaying nucleic acids by means of hybridization techniques, wherein the capturing probes are modified primers being incorporated into copies of the target nucleic acids before the hybridization reaction.

Abstract: Using oligonucleotides selected from the 3'-terminal region of the gag-gene of HIV-1 there can be detected much more subtypes than using the known oligonucleotides. This improves reliability of the HIV-1 determination.

Abstract: The present invention provides a staphylococcal accessory regulatory protein sar, and the gene encoding that protein(sar). This protein relates to the recognition and control of bacterial infections, particularly infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The sar protein and gene are thus useful in preventing or treating staph infections, and in diagnostic kits and assays for detecting the presence of the sar protein and sar gene.

Abstract: A hybridization carrier, containing a single-stranded polynucleotide having the formula:5'-(dN).sub.n (dT).sub.m -3',wherein N represents admine, guanine or cytosin; T represents thymine; n is an integer of 2 or larger; and m is an integer of 5 or larger;the polynucleotide being immobilized by an amide bond on a surface of an organic polymers particle having a diameter of from about 0.05 .mu.m to about 5 .mu.m;the polynucleotide being immobilized at the site of a nucleotide sequence consisting of 2 or more polynucleotide which contain a primary amino residue in the polynucleotide; andthe amide bond having been formed between the primary amino residue and a carboxyl residue on the surface of the organic polymer particle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of performing Sexual PCR which includes generating random polynucleotides by interrupting or blocking a synthesis or amplification process to show or halt synthesis or amplification of at least one polynucleotide, optionally amplifying the polynucleotides, and reannealing the polynucleotides to produce random mutant polynucleotides. Also provided are vector and expression vehicles including such mutant polynucleotides, polypeptides expressed by the mutant polynucleotides and a method for producing random mutant polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention relates to papillomaviruses, particularly to DNA-HPVs isolated from the papillomaviruses IP5 and IP6, the restriction maps of papillomaviruses IP5 and IP6, and also to probes containing these DNA-HPVs or fragments obtained from them. The invention relates, in addition, to "kits" containing distinct groups of probes, containing one of these DNA-HPVs or DNA-HPV fragments, as well as a procedure for the detection and identification of papillomaviruses which makes use of these different probes.

Abstract: A method by which a nucleotide sequence, specifically a CTG triplet repeat, shown to be expanded in individuals affected with myotonic dystrophy can be identified in a sample obtained from an individual. The present method can be used to identify individuals in whom the CTG triplet repeat is present in normal copy number and individuals in whom the CTG triplet repeat occurs in abnormally high copy number, as well as to further identify individuals likely to be minimally affected and individuals likely to be more severely affected.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for detecting multiple target nucleic acid sequences in a test sample. Also provided is a hybridization platform useful for detecting multiple target sequences in a test sample. The hybridization platform comprises a solid support material having a defined pattern of capture probes immobilized thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the selective covalent modification of nucleic acids with redox active moieties such as transition metal complexes. Electron donor and electron acceptor moieties are covalently bound to the ribose-phosphate backbone of a nucleic acid at predetermined positions. The resulting complexes represent a series of new derivatives that are bimolecular templates capable of transferring electrons over very large distances at extremely fast rates. These complexes possess unique structural features which enable the use of an entirely new class of bioconductors and photoactive probes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of incorporating an exo-sample nucleotide into the amplified product strands resulting from a nucleic acid amplification process. Once the product strands have been obtained and analyzed (e.g., by hybridization, Southern blot, etc.), the exo-sample strands can be selectively destroyed by acting on the incorporated exo-sample nucleotide. Two embodiments are presented. In a first embodiment, the exo-sample nucleotide is incorporated by carrying out the amplification reaction in the presence of an excess of exo-sample nucleotide triphosphate. In a second embodiment, the exo-sample nucleotide is incorporated by carrying out the amplification reaction in the presence of an oligonucleotide which has, as part of its sequence, one or more exo-sample nucleotides.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of detecting the presence of invasive cervical carcinoma in a subject comprising detecting in a cervical cell from the subject the presence of a chromosome abnormality which is associated with invasive cervical carcinoma; the presence of the cervical cell containing the chromosome abnormality indicating the presence of invasive cervical carcinoma in the subject. The invention also provides a method of detecting the presence of advanced-stage cervical carcinoma in a subject comprising detecting in a cervical cell from the subject the presence of a chromosome abnormality associated with advanced-stage cervical carcinoma; the presence of the cervical cell containing the chromosome abnormality indicating the presence of advanced-stage cervical carcinoma in the subject.

Abstract: The association between the presence of one or more rare (infrequent) alleles of the HRAS variable tandem repeat (VTR) polymorphism and the incidence of ovarian cancer in women who harbor a BRCA1 mutation can be used for evaluating risk of ovarian cancer in a human patient. The patient is tested for the presence of a mutation in the BRCA1 gene; and to determine the polymorphic form of the HRAS1 variable tandem repeat region. The presence of both a mutation in the BRCA1 gene and a rare polymorphic form of the HRAS1 variable tandem repeat region is indicative of an elevated risk of developing ovarian cancer. A kit for performing this evaluation includes reagents necessary for performing a test for the BRCA1 mutation and to evaluate the polymorphic form of the HRAS1 variable tandem repeat region.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for preparing a complex comprised of a VEGF Nucleic Acid Ligand and a Lipophilic Compound by identifying a VEGF Nucleic Acid Ligand by SELEX methodology and associating the VEGF Nucleic Acid Ligand with a Lipophilic Compound. The invention further discloses Complexes comprising one or more VEGF Nucleic Acid Ligands in association with a Lipophilic Compound. The invention further includes a Lipid construct comprising a VEGF Nucleic Acid Ligand or Complex and methods for making the same.