Abstract: The invention relates to a vector comprising an origin of replication for episomal maintenance in a metazoan cell, a gene for episomal maintenance in the metazoan cell, and a telomeric polynucleotide sequence. The vector can be used for episomal expression of RNA and polypeptides in metazoan cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the comprehensive analysis of nucleic acid samples and a detector composition for use in the method. The method, referred to as Fixed Address Analysis of Sequence Tags (FAAST), involves generation of a set of nucleic acid fragments having a variety of sticky end sequences; indexing of the fragments into sets based on the sequence of sticky ends; associating a detector sequence with the fragments; sequence-based capture of the indexed fragments on a detector array; and detection of the fragment labels. Generation of the multiple sticky end sequences is accomplished by incubating the nucleic acid sample with one or more nucleic acid cleaving reagents. The indexed fragments are captured by hybridization and coupling, preferably by ligation, to a probe. The method allows a complex sample of nucleic acid to be quickly and easily cataloged in a reproducible and sequence-specific manner.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the comprehensive analysis of nucleic acid samples and a detector composition for use in the method. The method, referred to as Fixed Address Analysis of Sequence Tags (FAAST), involves generation of a set of nucleic acid fragments having a variety of sticky end sequences; indexing of the fragments into sets based on the sequence of sticky ends; associating a detector sequence with the fragments; sequence-based capture of the indexed fragments on a detector array; and detection of the fragment labels. Generation of the multiple sticky end sequences is accomplished by incubating the nucleic acid sample with one or more nucleic acid cleaving reagents. The indexed fragments are captured by hybridization and coupling, preferably by ligation, to a probe. The method allows a complex sample of nucleic acid to be quickly and easily cataloged in a reproducible and sequence-specific manner.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the comprehensive analysis of nucleic acid samples and a detector composition for use in the method. The method, referred to as Fixed Address Analysis of Sequence Tags (FAAST), involves generation of a set of nucleic acid fragments having a variety of sticky end sequences; indexing of the fragments into sets based on the sequence of sticky ends; associating a detector sequence with the fragments; sequence-based capture of the indexed fragments on a detector array; and detection of the fragment labels. Generation of the multiple sticky end sequences is accomplished by incubating the nucleic acid sample with one or more nucleic acid cleaving reagents. The indexed fragments are captured by hybridization and coupling, preferably by ligation, to a probe. The method allows a complex sample of nucleic acid to be quickly and easily cataloged in a reproducible and sequence-specific manner.

Abstract: A probe for the detection of a nucleic acid target sequence containing a molecular switch comprising three essential elements: a probe sequence of 20-60 nucleotides surrounded by switch sequences of 10-40 nucleotides which are complementary to each other, wherein the state of the switch is useful for selectively generating a detectable signal if the probe is hybridized to a target; also, assays and kits utilizing such probes.

Abstract: A probe for the detection of a nucleic acid target sequence containing a molecular switch comprising three essential elements: a probe sequence of 20-60 nucleotides surrounded by switch sequences of 10-40 nucleotides which are complementary to each other, wherein the state of the switch is useful for selectively generating a detectable signal if the probe is hybridized to a target; also, assays and kits utilizing such probes.