Abstract: The invention generally features sqv nucleic acid and polypeptide molecules associated with connective tissue diseases, progeroid disorders, and aging, and methods for isolating such molecules.

Abstract: Target-specific hybrid capture (TSHC) provides a nucleic acid detection method that is not only rapid and sensitive, but is also highly specific and capable of discriminating highly homologous nucleic acid target sequences. The method produces DNA-RNA hybrids which can be detected by a variety of methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for measuring DNA or RNA binding proteins, specific nucleic acids, as well as enzyme activities using labeled nucleic acids of labeled protein/peptide molecules.

Abstract: Methods for determining genotypes and haplotypes of genes are described. Also described are single nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotypes in the ApoE gene and methods of using that information.

Abstract: This application describes methods and compositions for detecting and treating HLTF-associated neoplasia. Differential methylation of the HLTF nucleotide sequences has been observed in HLTF-associated neoplasia such as colon neoplasia.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits for amplifying a target sequence by strand displacement replication using strand-displacing primers. The method uses primers that have only ribonucleotides or purine ribonucleotides and at least one 2?-substituted pyrimidine-2?-deoxyribonucleotide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a kit useful for determining the number of repeat units in a repeat region of a target nucleic acid comprising: a plurality of different-sequence primers, each containing (i) a target binding segment and (ii) a tag segment having a nucleotide sequence that uniquely identifies the target binding segment, a first primer extension reagent; and a second primer extension reagent, wherein at least one of the first or second primer extension reagents includes an extendible nucleotide having a photodestructible label attached thereto.

Abstract: The methods of the invention provide a means for rapid analysis of gene function in a variety of systems. The invention allows screening of large libraries of nucleotide sequences for involvement in physiological pathways of interest. The methods of the invention also provide an efficient means of identifying and isolating nucleotide sequences that modulate a physiological pathway of interest from a population of nucleotide sequences.

Abstract: Described is a method for detecting 5-methylcytosine in genomic DNA samples. First, a genomic DNA from a DNA sample is chemically converted with a reagent, 5-methylcytosine and cytosine reacting differently, and the pretreated DNA is subsequently amplified using a polymerase and at least one primer. In the next step, the amplified genomic DNA is hybridized to at least two oligonucleotides, the latter being joined by inserting at least one oligonucleotide. In the ligation product, one nucleotide carries a detectable label, and the elongation depends on the methylation status of the specific cytosine in the genomic DNA sample. In the next step, the elongated oligonucleotides are analyzed for the presence of the label.

Abstract: Methods and reagents are disclosed which provide for more sensitive, more accurate and higher through-put analyses of target nucleic acid sequences. The methods and reagents of the present invention may be generically applied to generally any target nucleic acid sequence and do not require a priori information about the presence, location or identity of mutations in the target nucleic acid sequence. The reagents of the invention are mixtures of oligonucleotide precursors having a high level of coverage and mass number complexity, and also having tags analyzable by mass spectrometry which are covalently linked to the precursors through cleavable bonds. A method is also disclosed for analyzing a target nucleic acid sequence employing the mixtures of oligonucleotide precursors having tags analyzable by mass spectrometry covalently linked to the oligonucleotide precursors through cleavable bonds, and chemical or enzymatic assays to alter the mass of the oligonucleotide precursors prior to mass spectral analysis.

Abstract: This invention provides for compositions for use in real time nucleic acid detection processes. Such real time nucleic acid detection processes are carried out with energy transfer elements attached to nucleic acid primers, nucleotides, nucleic acid probes or nucleic acid binding agents. Real time nucleic acid detection allows for the qualitative or quantitative detection or determination of single-stranded or double-stranded nucleic acids of interest in a sample. Other processes are provided by this invention including processes for removing a portion of a homopolymeric sequence, e.g., poly A sequence or tail, from an analyte or library of analytes. Compositions useful in carrying out such removal processes are also described and provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to detection of specific extracellular nucleic acid in human or animal blood plasma or serum associated with disease. Specifically, the invention relates to detection of nucleic acid derived from mutant oncogenes or other tumor-associated DNA, and to methods of detecting and monitoring extracellular mutant oncogenes or tumor-associated DNA found in blood plasma or serum. In particular, the invention relates to the detection, identification, or monitoring of the existence, progression or clinical status of neoplasia in humans or other animals that contain a mutation that is associated with the neoplasm through detection of the mutated nucleic acid of the neoplasm in plasma or serum fractions.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for predicting the susceptibility of an individual to pulmonary tuberculosis, the method comprising amplifying genomic DNA of pulmonary tuberculosis patients and normal control individuals using oligonuecleotide primers, sequencing the amplified PCR product and identifying the sequence variation computationally by comparing it with the already existing sequence of human SP-A2 gene.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetic sequences encoding polyphenol oxidase enzymes of lettuce, banana, tobacco and pineapple plants, and recombinant vectors comprising same, and methods of identifying related sequences using the nucleic acid molecules. The invention further provides methods of modifying PPO expression in plants using the inventive nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for determining the efficiency of the amplification of a target nucleic acid comprising the following steps: (i) preparation of a dilution series of the target nucleic acid, (ii) amplifying the target nucleic acid under defined reaction conditions, the amplification being measured in real-time (iii) setting a defined signal threshold value, (iv) determining the cycle number at which the signal threshold value is exceeded for various dilutions, (v) determining the amplification efficiency as a function of the amount of original target nucleic acid. The present invention also concerns a method for the quantification of a target nucleic acid in a sample in which the efficiency of the amplification reaction is determined in this manner and is taken into account in the quantification.

Abstract: The method of making the clear cell lysate containing plasmid DNA from a biomass obtained in a cell culture process includes filtering the biomass obtained in the cell culture process with a filter medium in the presence of diatomaceous earth acting as a filtering agent to form a filter cake containing the biomass and the filter medium, then thermally digesting the biomass in the filter cake to form a cell lysate containing the plasmid DNA and filtering the cell lysate to form a clear filtrate. The clear filtrate contains the plasmid DNA and has a clarity characterized by an OD600 of at maximum 0.05 U/cm.

Abstract: Methods and kits are disclosed for use in the analysis of microsatellite instability in genomic DNA. Methods and kits are also disclosed which can be used to detect microsatellite instability DNA present in biological materials, such as tumors. The methods and kits of the present invention can be used to detect or diagnose diseases associated with microsatellite instability, such as certain types of cancer.

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

Abstract: Methods of detecting Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) organisms using in vitro nucleic acid amplification with amplification oligonucleotides specific for 16S rRNA or DNA sequences encoding 16S rRNA from MAC species are disclosed. Compositions and kits containing oligonucleotides for amplifying and detecting 16S rRNA or DNA sequences encoding 16S rRNA from MAC species are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for identifying genetic mosaicisms in cell populations. Suitable cell populations include, e.g., biopsy or body fluid samples or cultures of cancer cells. The method includes performing array-based comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), wherein a plurality of cloned genomic nucleic acid segments is provided in a plurality of identical replicas, each cloned segment immobilized to a discrete and known spot on a substrate surface to form the array, and the cloned genomic nucleic acid segments comprise a substantially complete first genome of a known first karyotype. The invention also provides methods for optimizing performance of an array-based comparative genomic hybridization (CGH).