Abstract: The present invention relates to a cap which can form an essentially leak-proof seal with a vessel capable of receiving fluid specimens for clinical analysis and diagnosis. To minimize potentially contaminating contact between the fluid specimen and humans or the environment, the present invention features a cap which is penetrable by a plastic pipette tip or other fluid transfer device, and may include a plurality of striations which were discovered to further improve penetrability of the cap. In this way, substances can be dispensed into or withdrawn from the vessel without having to physically separate the cap from the vessel. Also featured are fluid transfer devices and caps having surface ribs and/or grooves which aid in creating passageways for venting displaced air from a penetrated collection device.

Abstract: A closure system useful for storing fluids under cold storage conditions. The closure system includes cap and container components which combine to form a dual sealing system. The container has a generally cylindrical side wall, a closed bottom end, and an open top end having an inner beveled lip depending from an annular top rim. The cap has a generally circular top wall from which inner and outer skirts depend. The outer skirt is adapted to grip the open top end of the container. The inner skirt includes an outer surface having a lower seal bead and an upper beveled portion mated with the beveled lip. When the cap is fitted onto the container, the seal bead contacts an inner surface of the container and the upper beveled portion and the beveled lip are engaged in an interference fit, thereby impeding the loss of fluid from the closure system under cold storage conditions.

Abstract: A method for obtaining the contents of a fluid-holding vessel having a cap secured to an open end thereof. The method includes penetrating a surface of the cap with a fluid transfer device and forming one or more air passageways between the penetrated surface of the cap and the fluid transfer device to allow air to be vented from the vessel. At least a portion of the contents of the vessel is then drawn into the fluid transfer device before the fluid transfer device is removed from the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention features kits for making available a desired nucleic acid contained in a biological sample. The kits contain an acid for acidifying the biological sample to a pH at which endogenous nucleases capable of degrading desired nucleic acids are inactive and an acid protease able to digest cellular materials in the biological sample to release nucleic acid and to inactivate endogenous nucleases which may be present.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oligonucleotides for use in amplifying and detecting HIV nucleic acid in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention related to oligonucleotides for use in amplifying and detecting HIV nucleic acid in a sample.

Abstract: A closure system useful for storing fluids under cold storage conditions. The closure system includes cap and container components which combine to form a dual sealing system. The container has a generally cylindrical side wall, a closed bottom end, and an open top end having an inner beveled lip depending from an annular top rim. The cap has a generally circular top wall from which inner and outer skirts depend. The outer skirt is adapted to grip the open top end of the container. The inner skirt includes an outer surface having a lower seal bead and an upper beveled portion mated with the beveled lip. When the cap is fitted onto the container, the seal bead contacts an inner surface of the container and the upper beveled portion and the beveled lip are engaged in an interference fit, thereby impeding the loss of fluid from the closure system under cold storage conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cap which can form an essentially leak-proof seal with an open-ended vessel capable of receiving and holding fluid specimens or other materials for analysis. To minimize potentially contaminating contact between a fluid sample present in the vessel and humans or the environment, the present invention features a cap having a frangible seal which is penetrable by a plastic pipette tip or other fluid transfer device. The cap further includes filtering means for limiting dissemination of an aerosol or bubbles once the frangible seal has been pierced. The filtering means is positioned between the frangible seal and retaining means. The retaining means is positioned on the cap above the filtering means and may be used to contain the filtering means within the cap. The retaining means may be comprised of a material which is penetrable by a fluid transfer device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cap which can form an essentially leak-proof seal with a vessel capable of receiving fluid specimens for clinical analysis and diagnosis. To minimize potentially contaminating contact between the fluid specimen and humans or the environment, the present invention features a cap which is penetrable by a plastic pipette tip or other fluid transfer device, and may include a plurality of striations which were discovered to further improve penetrability of the cap. In this way, substances can be dispensed into or withdrawn from the vessel without having to physically separate the cap from the vessel. Also featured are fluid transfer devices and caps having surface ribs and/or grooves which aid in creating passageways for venting displaced air from a penetrated collection device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cap which can form an essentially leak-proof seal with a vessel capable of receiving fluid specimens for clinical analysis and diagnosis. To minimize potentially contaminating contact between the fluid specimen and humans or the environment, the present invention features a cap which is penetrable by a plastic pipette tip or other fluid transfer device, and may include a plurality of striations which were discovered to further improve penetrability of the cap. In this way, substances can be dispensed into or withdrawn from the vessel without having to physically separate the cap from the vessel. Also featured are fluid transfer devices and caps having surface ribs and/or grooves which aid in creating passageways for venting displaced air from a penetrated collection device.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods of synthesizing oligonucleotides. In particular, it relates to methods of enzymatically synthesizing chirally pure oligonucleotides using templates which can be digested after synthesis. By using digestible templates, separation and purification of the synthesized oligonucleotides are greatly facilitated.

Abstract: A method, composition and kit for amplifying a target nucleic acid sequence under conditions of substantially constant temperature, ionic strength, and pH and using only a single promoter-primer. To effect the amplification, a supply of a single promoter-primer having a promoter and a primer complementary to the 3'-end of the target sequence, and a reverse transcriptase and an RNA polymerase are provided to a mixture including the target sequence; the amplification proceeds accordingly. The invention is useful for generating copies of a nucleic acid target sequence for purposes that include assays to quantitate specific nucleic acid sequences in clinical, environmental, forensic and similar samples, cloning and generating probes.

Abstract: The invention features the use of a purified first targeted oligonucleotide in combination with either 1) a subtargeted oligonucleotide, 2) second targeted oligonucleotide, or 3) a non-targeted phosphorothioate oligonucleotide, to inhibit protein production of a targeted nucleic acid sequence, cell proliferation, and/or the multiplication of a foreign organism. The subtargeted oligonucleotide contains a truncated version of the targeted oligonucleotide.

Abstract: Methods for extracting nucleic acids by heating sample cells at about 80-95 degrees C. in a permeabilization reagent containing a non-ionic detergent and a metal chelating agent. The methods of the invention release large fragments of undegraded nucleic acids without physically disrupting the entire cell wall. The nucleic acids are released into solution without bursting the cells and are suitable for research and testing without further purification. The extraction method described herein is rapid, easy to perform, and applicable to a wide variety of cells, including microorganisms. Clinical samples may be screened for the presence or absence of a microorganism by heating the sample at 80-95 degrees Celsius in the presence of a non-ionic detergent and a metal chelating agent, adding to the sample a nucleic acid probe specific to the selected microorganism, incubating the sample under conditions which allow the probe to hybridize to released nucleic acid and detecting whether any hybridized probe is present.

Abstract: The invention features a method for assaying the ability of an oligonucleotide to form a hybrid with a target nucleic acid sequence. The featured assay comprises the following steps: (a) contacting a test sample containing a target nucleic acid sequence with an oligonucleotide; (b) treating the test sample with a duplex-altering agent; (c) contacting the treated test sample with a labeled probe under stringent hybridization conditions, wherein the probe can hybridize to non-altered target nucleic acid sequence such that the probe label is protected from subsequent chemical inactivation but the probe cannot hybridize to altered target nucleic acid sequence in a manner which would protect the probe label from subsequent chemical inactivation; and (d) measuring the hybridization of the probe to non-altered target nucleic acid sequence by measuring the amount of protected label.

Abstract: Methods for extracting nucleic acids by heating sample cells at about 80-95 degrees C. in a permeabilization reagent containing a non-ionic detergent and a metal chelating agent. The methods of the invention release large fragments of undegraded nucleic acids without physically disrupting the entire cell wall. The nucleic acids are released into solution without bursting the cells and are suitable for research and testing without further purification. The extraction method described herein is rapid, easy to perform, and applicable to a wide variety of cells, including microorganisms. Clinical samples may be screened for the presence or absence of a microorganism by heating the sample at 80-95 degrees Celsius in the presence of a non-ionic detergent and a metal chelating agent, adding to the sample a nucleic acid probe specific to the selected microorganism, incubating the sample under conditions which allow the probe to hybridize to released nucleic acid and detecting whether any hybridized probe is present.

Abstract: A method, composition and kit for synthesizing multiple copies of a target nucleic acid sequence autocatalytically under conditions of substantially constant temperature, ionic strength, and pH are provided in which multiple RNA copies of the target sequence autocatalytically generate additional copies using a mixture of blocked and unblocked primers and/or promoter-primers to initiate DNA and RNA synthesis, preferably with reduced non-specific product formation. The invention is useful for generating copies of a nucleic acid target sequence for purposes that include assays to quantitate specific nucleic acid sequences in clinical, environmental, forensic and similar samples, cloning and generating probes.

Abstract: The invention features the use of a purified first targeted oligonucleotide in combination with either 1) a subtargeted oligonucleotide, 2) second targeted oligonucleotide, or 3) a non-targeted phosphorothioate oligonucleotide, to inhibit protein production of a targeted nucleic acid sequence, cell proliferation, and/or the multiplication of a foreign organism. The subtargeted oligonucleotide contains a truncated version of the targeted oligonucleotide.

Abstract: Method and kit for the preparation of nucleic acid, such as for amplification. The nucleic acid may be prepared by centrifuging a sample of whole cells, particularly mononuclear cells, with an appropriate centrifugation medium so as to separate desired cells from non-desired cells, then removing and lysing said desired cells. A complexing agent able to complex ferric ion may be added to the lysed cells. The nucleic acid associated with the lysed cells can be amplified, and the nucleic acid can also be screened for a certain nucleic acid sequence, such as a vital nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: Stabilized enzyme compositions for use in nucleic acid amplification. Compositions are provided for the stabilization of one or more enzymes in a single stabilized formulation. Additional compositions incorporate a dried, stabilized enzyme mixture together with necessary cofactors and enzyme substrates in a single container for use upon rehydration. Also disclosed are methods for making and using stabilized enzyme compositions and kits for nucleic acid amplification incorporating the disclosed compositions.