Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for detecting a condition of a sample (including cervical cancers and pre-cancers) through reflectance and/or fluorescence imaging. A sample is obtained. One or more metallic nanoparticles and/or one or more quantum dots are obtained. The one or more metallic nanoparticles and/or one or more quantum dots are coupled to one or more biomarkers of the sample that are associated with the condition. A reflectance and/or fluorescence image of the sample is then taken. The image(s) exhibit characteristic optical scattering from the one or more metallic nanoparticles and/or characteristic fluorescence excitation from the one or more quantum dots to signal the presence of the one or more biomarkers. In this way, the condition can be readily screened or diagnosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for sensitive, rapid and convenient assays to detect and/or quantify one or more target using ribonucleic acid as probes, wherein the method includes binding a first and a second ribonucleic acid probe, each of which binds specifically to the target, wherein the first and second probes each comprise a ribonucleic acid tail; ligating the first and second ribonucleic acids tails thereby producing a ligated ribonucleic acid template; and performing amplification of the ribonucleic acid template across the first and second ribonucleic acids.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method for generating a pool of nucleic acid fragments useful for in vitro recombination and the creation of novel DNA sequences that encode desirable proteins or enzymes. The invention provides a defined mixture of nucleic acids and methods for use in the synthesis, mutagenesis, and recombination of nucleic acids. Nucleic acids may be synthesized by creating a nucleic acid extension ladder, annealing the extension ladder to template nucleic acids, and further extending the ladder of nucleic acids. The invention also relates to methods for performing repeated cycles of synthesis for the purpose of mutagenesis or recombination, methods for producing mutant peptides and proteins from the mutagenized or recombined nucleic acids, and methods for selecting a peptide, polypeptide or protein having altered biological activities.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided to make, isolate, characterize and use regulatable, catalytically active nucleic acids (RCANA). The present invention is directed to RCANA that transduce molecular recognition into catalysis. Also, RCANAs according to the invention can be used as regulatory elements to control the expression of one or more genes in a metabolic pathway. RCANAs can also be used as regulated selectable markers to create a selective pressure favoring (or disfavoring) production of a targeted bioproduct.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the in vitro selection of signaling aptamers comprising the steps of synthesizing a DNA pool, the DNA having a random insert of nucleotides of a specific skewed mole ratio; amplifying the DNA pool; transcribing an RNA pool from the amplified DNA using a fluorescently labeled nucleotide; applying the fluorescently labeled RNA pool to an affinity column to remove the high-affinity fluorescent RNA molecules from the fluorescently labeled RNA pool; obtaining a cDNA pool from the high-affinity fluorescent RNA molecules; repeating the amplification and selection steps on the fluorescent RNA molecules and cloning the fluorescent RNA molecules to yield signaling aptamers. Signaling aptamers comprising DNA molecules are also selected for. Also provided is a signaling aptamer that transduces the conformational change upon binding a ligand to a change in fluorescence intensity of the signaling aptamer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the in vitro selection of signaling aptamers comprising the steps of synthesizing a DNA pool, the DNA having a random insert of nucleotides of a specific skewed mole ratio; amplifying the DNA pool; transcribing an RNA pool from the amplified DNA using a fluorescently labeled nucleotide; applying the fluorescently labeled RNA pool to an affinity column to remove the high-affinity fluorescent RNA molecules from the fluorescently labeled RNA pool; obtaining a cDNA pool from the high-affinity fluorescent RNA molecules; repeating the amplification and selection steps on the fluorescent RNA molecules and cloning the fluorescent RNA molecules to yield signaling aptamers. Signaling aptamers comprising DNA molecules are also selected for. Also provided is a signaling aptamer that transduces the conformational change upon binding a ligand to a change in fluorescence intensity of the signaling aptamer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for detecting a condition of a sample (including cervical cancers and pre-cancers) through reflectance and/or fluorescence imaging. A sample is obtained. One or more metallic nanoparticles and/or one or more quantum dots are obtained. The one or more metallic nanoparticles and/or one or more quantum dots are coupled to one or more biomarkers of the sample that are associated with the condition. A reflectance and/or fluorescence image of the sample is then taken. The image(s) exhibit characteristic optical scattering from the one or more metallic nanoparticles and/or characteristic fluorescence excitation from the one or more quantum dots to signal the presence of the one or more biomarkers. In this way, the condition can be readily screened or diagnosed.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided to make, isolate, characterize and use regulatable, catalytically active nucleic acids (RCANA). RCANA may be used for regulating gene expression and in assays to detect the presence of ligands or to detect activation by an effector of an RCANA bound to a solid support such as a chip or multi-well plate. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for automating the selection procedures of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the in vitro selection of signaling aptamers comprising the steps of synthesizing a DNA pool, the DNA having a random insert of nucleotides of a specific skewed mole ratio; amplifying the DNA pool; transcribing an RNA pool from the amplified DNA using a fluorescently labeled nucleotide; applying the fluorescently labeled RNA pool to an affinity column to remove the high-affinity fluorescent RNA molecules from the fluorescently labeled RNA pool; obtaining a cDNA pool from the high-affinity fluorescent RNA molecules; repeating the amplification and selection steps on the fluorescent RNA molecules and cloning the fluorescent RNA molecules to yield signaling aptamers. Signaling aptamers comprising DNA molecules are also selected for. Also provided is a signaling aptamer that transduces the conformational change upon binding a ligand to a change in fluorescence intensity of the signaling aptamer.

Abstract: The present invention provides for various screening assays which are amenable to high throughput formats and identify a variety of useful mutations in tumor suppressor genes such as p53. Such mutations include those that activate the molecule, increase thermostability, increase transcriptional activity and facilitate resistance to inhibitory molecules. Also provided are methods of screening for accessory proteins that interact with tumor suppressors in both inhibitory and activating fashions, as well as cleavable mutants of p53 that are activated by viral proteases.