Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods of making cDNA molecules, amplification of RNA by PCR and cDNA libraries. The invention also relates to kits for carrying out the methods of the invention. Methods for improved and more efficient conversion of RNA into cDNA are provided, which in turn can be used in a variety of procedures in molecular analysis of gene expression.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods useful for the amplification of nucleic acid molecules by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Specifically, the invention provides compositions and methods for the amplification of nucleic acid molecules in a simplified one- or two-step RT-PCR procedure using combinations of reverse transcriptase and thermostable DNA polymerase enzymes in conjunction with sulfur-containing molecules or acetate-containing molecules (or combinations of such sulfur-containing molecules and acetate-containing molecules), and optionally bovine serum albumin. The invention thus facilitates the rapid and efficient amplification of nucleic acid molecules and the detection and quantitation of RNA molecules. The invention also is useful in the rapid production and amplification of cDNAs which may be used for a variety of industrial, medical and forensic purposes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods useful for the amplification of nucleic acid molecules by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Specifically, the invention provides compositions and methods for the amplification of nucleic acid molecules in a simplified one- or two-step RT-PCR procedure using combinations of reverse transcriptase and thermostable DNA polymerase enzymes in conjunction with sulfur-containing molecules or acetate-containing molecules (or combinations of such sulfur-containing molecules and acetate-containing molecules), and optionally bovine serum albumin. The invention thus facilitates the rapid and efficient amplification of nucleic acid molecules and the detection and quantitation of RNA molecules. The invention also is useful in the rapid production and amplification of cDNAs which may be used for a variety of industrial, medical and forensic purposes.

Abstract: Methods for making cDNA molecules, for amplification of RNA by PCR and for preparation of cDNA libraries are provided. Kits for making cDNA molecules also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel primers and methods for the detection of specific nucleic acid sequences. The primers and methods of the invention are useful in a wide variety of molecular biology applications and are particularly useful in allele specific PCR.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods, compositions and kits for amplifying a nucleic acid molecule. Specifically, the invention involves replacing at least one nucleotide of an oligonucleotide with nucleotide residue having altered base-pairing characteristics, such as inosine, hypoxanthine, xanthine, and methylated nucleotide derivatives, so as to more equalize the efficiency with which that oligonucleotide and a second oligonucleotide hybridize to a target molecule, and then amplifying the target molecule using, for example, the polymerase chain reaction. Improved amplification results from the improvement in the relative hybridization efficiencies.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods for amplifying a nucleic acid molecule. More specifically, the invention provides methods for nucleic acid amplification which use primers having equivalent priming efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods useful for the amplification of nucleic acid molecules by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Specifically, the invention provides compositions and methods for the amplification of nucleic acid molecules in a simplified one- or two-step RT-PCR procedure using combinations of reverse transcriptase and thermostable DNA polymerase enzymes in conjunction with sulfur-containing molecules or acetate-containing molecules (or combinations of such sulfur-containing molecules and acetate-containing molecules), and optionally bovine serum albumin. The invention thus facilitates the rapid and efficient amplification of nucleic acid molecules and the detection and quantitation of RNA molecules. The invention also is useful in the rapid production and amplification of cDNAs which may be used for a variety of industrial, medical and forensic purposes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods useful for the amplification of nucleic acid molecules by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Specifically, the invention provides compositions and methods for the amplification of nucleic acid molecules in a simplified one- or two-step RT-PCR procedure using combinations of reverse transcriptase and thermostable DNA polymerase enzymes in conjunction with sulfur-containing molecules or acetate-containing molecules (or combinations of such sulfur-containing molecules and acetate-containing molecules), and optionally bovine serum albumin. The invention thus facilitates the rapid and efficient amplification of nucleic acid molecules and the detection and quantitation of RNA molecules. The invention also is useful in the rapid production and amplification of cDNAs which may be used for a variety of industrial, medical and forensic purposes.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods for amplifying a nucleic acid molecule. More specifically, the invention provides methods for nucleic acid amplification which use primers having equivalent priming efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions comprising mixtures of reagents, including thermostable enzymes (e.g., thermostable DNA polymerases), buffers, cofactors and other components, suitable for immediate use in nucleic acid amplification or sequencing techniques without dilution or addition of further components. The compositions contain no stablizing agents (e.g., glycerol or serum albumin) and unexpectedly maintain activity for extended periods of time upon storage at temperatures above freezing. These compositions are useful, alone or in the form of kits, for nucleic acid amplification (e.g., by the Polymerase Chain Reaction) and sequencing (e.g., by dideoxy or “Sanger” sequencing), or for any procedure utilizing thermostable DNA polymerases in a variety of medical, forensic and agricultural applications. In particular, the compositions and methods are useful for amplifying and sequencing nucleic acid molecules that are larger than about 7 kilobases in size.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods for amplifying a nucleic acid molecule. More specifically, the invention involves replacing at least one nucleotide of an oligonucleotide with a nucleotide having altered base pairing characteristics, so as to more equalize the efficiency with which that oligonucleotide and a second oligonucleotide hybridize to a target molecule and then amplifying the target molecule using, for example, the polymerase chain reaction. Improved amplification results from the improvement in relative hybridization efficiencies.

Abstract: Nucleic acid fragments capable of hybridizing to rRNA of a Salmonella species and not capable of hybridizing to rRNA of Escherichia coli.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of using nucleic acid probes capable of specifically hybridizing to rRNA of Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli and C. laridis and not to rRNA or rRNA genes of Pseudomonas aeuroginosa, E. coli or Salmonella typhimunium for the detection of Campylobacter in clinical, food and other samples.

Abstract: A DNA probe and method for detecting Campylobacter jejuni, which consists essentially of a DNA sequence that is:a) derived from a chromosomal sequence of a bacterium of the species C. jejuni or C. coli but is less than the entire chromosomal sequence of that bacterium;b) capable of hybridizing to DNA of at least 80% of bacteria that are in the species C. jejuni and/or C. coli; andc) not capable of hybridizing to DNA of bacteria that are not in the genus Campylobacter. The method features detecting C. jejuni in a sample by providing at least one probe capable of selectively binding to C. jejuni but not bacteria that do not belong to the genus Campylobacter, contacting that DNA probe with bacteria in the sample under conditions that allow the probe to hybridize to C. jejuni in the sample thus forming hybrid DNA complexes, and detecting the hybrid complexes as an indication of C. jejuni in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods for amplifying a nucleic acid molecule. Specifically, the invention involves replacing at least one nucleotide of an oligonucleotide with a deoxyinosine residue, so as to more equalize the efficiency with which that oligonucloetide and a second oligonucleotide hybridize to a target molecule, and then amplifying the target molecule using, for example, the polymerase chain reaction. Improved amplification results from the improvement in the relative hybridization efficiencies.

Abstract: Nucleic acid fragments capable of hybridizing to rRNA of a Salmonella species and not capable of hybridizing to rRNA of Escherichia coli.

Abstract: Nucleic acid probes capable of specifically hybridizing to rRNA of Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli and C. laridis and not to rRNA or rRNA genes of Pseudomonas aeuroginosa, E. coli or Salmonella typhimunium are described along with methods utilizing such probes for the detection of Campylobacter in clinical, food and other samples.

Abstract: A method and kit, employing exo-sample nucleotides such as deoxyuridine, capable of altering the nucleic acid sequence present at the 3' or 5' end of a DNA or RNA molecule is provided. The method and kit can be used to achieve the selective amplification of nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: This invention discloses a scheme for producing nucleic acid end products that are functionally or exactly identical to the starting products, thereby resulting in exponential amplification of a desired nucleic acid sequence. Specifically, sequences are cycled between RNA and DNA forms using the following basic steps: (1) a T7 RNA polymerase promoter is ligated onto a single-stranded DNA template; (2) T7 RNA polymerase makes many copies of RNA: (3) a complementary DNA is made from the RNA by extension of a primer by reverse transcriptase; and (4) the RNA template is removed by ribonuclease H. This amplification method is useful for purposes such as genetic research and diagnostic assays.