Abstract: A method of analysing a polynucleotide target involves incubating the target with an oligonucleotide probe, generally an array of immobilised oligonucleotide probes, to form a duplex, and using ligase or polymerase to extend one chain of the duplex. A point mutation or variable number tandem repeat section may be analysed. Arrays of immobilised oligonucleotides are provided for use in the method.

Abstract: A method of making a set of labelled compounds by the use of a preferably particulate support, comprises dividing the support into lots, performing a different chemical reaction on each lot of the support, e.g. to couple a chemical moiety to that lot of the support, tagging a fraction of each lot of the support with a different label, and combining the said lots of the support. The steps are repeated several times, preferably to build up oligomer molecules carrying labels which identify the nature and position of a monomer unit of the oligomer, and which are releasable from the support. Preferred labels, which are releasable from the compounds by cleavage to provide charged groups for analysis by mass spectrometry, are groups of the trityl (trimethylphenyl) family. Also claimed are libraries of these labels and their use in assays and nucleic acid analysis methods.

Abstract: A method of making a set of labelled compounds by the use of a preferably particulate support, comprises dividing the support into lots, performing a different chemical reaction on each lot of the support, e.g. to couple a chemical moiety to that lot of the support, tagging a fraction of each lot of the support with a different label, and combining the said lots of the support. The steps are repeated several times, preferably to build up oligomer molecules carrying labels which identify the nature and position of a monomer unit of the oligomer, and which are releasable from the support. Preferred labels, which are releasable from the compounds by cleavage to provide charged groups for analysis by mass spectrometry, are groups of the trityl (trimethylphenyl) family. Also claimed are libraries of these labels and their use in assays and nucleic acid analysis methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound of the formula: (IIa); having a reactive functional group M, capable of reacting with a biopolymer, BP, having at least one group capable of reacting with M to form a covalent linkage, to provide a biopolymer derivative of the formula: (IIIa). The biopolymer derivatives of the invention have enhanced ionisability with respect to free 10 biopolymer (Bp) enabling improved analysis of the biopolymer using mass spectrometry. The invention further provides specific examples of compounds formula (IIa), e.g. compounds of formula: (IIa-2a) and (IIa-58a).

Abstract: Compounds of formula (IIa): are provided where: X is a group capable of being cleaved from the ?-carbon atom to form an ion of formula (I?) C is a carbon atom bearing a single positive charge or a single negative charge; The invention further provides compounds of formula (IIb): where: X is a counter-ion to C. The compounds of formula (IIa) and (IIb) may form ions of formula (I?) by either cleaving the C—X bond between X and the ?-carbon atoms in the case of the compounds of formula (IIa) or dissociating X in the case of compounds of formula (IIb).

Abstract: A method of making a set of labelled compounds by the use of a preferably particulate support, comprises dividing the support into lots, performing a different chemical reaction on each lot of the support, e.g. to couple a chemical moiety to that lot of the support, tagging a fraction of each lot of the support with a different label, and combining the said lots of the support. The steps are repeated several times, preferably to build up oligomer molecules carrying labels which identify the nature and position of a monomer unit of the oligomer, and which are releasable from the support. Preferred labels, which are releasable from the compounds by cleavage to provide charged groups for analysis by mass spectrometry, are groups of the trityl (trimethylphenyl) family. Also claimed are libraries of these labels and their use in assays and nucleic acid analysis methods.

Abstract: Peptides can be derivatised such that, when ionised and analysed by mass spectrometry, those containing arginine residues give characteristic peak patterns. Peaks corresponding to arginine-containing peptides can therefore be selected from a mass spectrum in order to simplify and improve peptide analysis. Suitable labels give derivatised peptides that have the ability to form both a stabilised ion species ([P]+) and a protonated ion molecular species ([P+H]+) that differ by one average mass unit. A characteristic peak pattern is seen.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a polynucleotide target involves incubating the target with an oligonucleotide probe, generally an array of immobilized oligonucleotide probes, to form a duplex, and using ligase or polymerase to extend one chain of the duplex. A point mutation or variable number tandem repeat section may be analyzed. Arrays of immobilized oligonucleotides are provided for use in the method.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to trityl-type compounds comprising, bonded to the same atom, three aryl groups, of which at least one is a fluorophore and at least one has a substituent including a functional group, and wherein the compound can exist in a non-ionized state or in an ionized state conjugated with the aryl groups.

Abstract: A method of treating a substrate, which method comprises providing an electrolyte in contact with the substrate and an array of electrodes adjacent the surface and in contact with the electrolyte, and altering the potential of at least one electrode so as to generate an active redox product which modifies the substrate adjacent the at least one electrode, characterized in that the electrolyte is chosen such that the active redox product is quenchable by a second redox product. The method is particularly suitable for the step-wise chemical synthesis of oligomers such as oligonucleotides bound to a surface.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to trityl-type compounds comprising, bonded to the same atom, three aryl groups, of which at least one is a fluorophore and at least one has a substituent including a functional group, and wherein the compound can exist in a non-ionised state or in an ionised state conjugated with the aryl groups.

Abstract: A polynucleotide comprises a central region and two terminal regions which are complementary with each other and are capable of undergoing hybridisation to form a stem loop structure, wherein the terminal regions are in the reverse orientation to that of the central region. The polynucleotide may be labelled with a fluorophore at one end and a quenching molecule at the other and used in methods to detect hybridisation between a target polynucleotide and the central region.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to processes of measuring molecular mass by mass spectrometry, in particular to methods of precise calibration of mass spectrometeres, and to kits and systems for use in calibrating mass spectrometeres.

Abstract: A method of making a set of labelled compounds by the use of a preferably particulate support, comprises dividing the support into lots, performing a different chemical reaction on each lot of the support, e.g. to couple a chemical moiety to that lot of the support, tagging a fraction of each lot of the support with a different label, and combining the said lots of the support. The steps are repeated several times, preferably to build up oligomer molecules carrying labels which identify the nature and position of a monomer unit of the oligomer, and which are releasable from the support. Preferred labels, which are releasable from the compounds by cleavage to provide charged groups for analysis by mass spectrometry, are groups of the trityl (trimethylphenyl) family. Also claimed are libraries of these labels and their use in assays and nucleic acid analysis methods.

Abstract: A method of analysing a polynucleotide target involves incubating the target with an oligonucleotide probe, generally an array of immobilized oligonucleotide probes, to form a duplex, and using ligase or polymerase to extend one chain of the duplex. A point mutation or variable number tandem repeat section may be analyzed. Arrays of immobilized oligonucleotides are provided for use in the method.

Abstract: Trityl-type compounds comprise, bonded to the same atom, three aryl groups, of which at least one is a fluorophore and at least one has a substituent including a functional group, and wherein the compound can exist in a non-ionised state or in an ionised state conjugated with the aryl groups.

Abstract: The present invention provides new reagents and methods which allow the assembly of large, branched structures from simple but versatile building blocks. The invention discloses dendrimers obtainable by the reaction of a core molecule having at least two reactive groups sequentially with doubling, trebling or more, branching synthons and optionally also with nonbranching synthons, to provide a multimeric structure having branched units and optionally also non-branched units, and a plurality of blocked or unblocked functional groups at the outer ends of the structure.

Abstract: A method of analysing a polynucleotide target involves incubating the target with an oligonucleotide probe, generally an array of immobilized oligonucleotide probes, to form a duplex, and using ligase or polymerase to extend one chain of the duplex. A point mutation or variable number tandem repeat section may be analyzed. Arrays of immobilized oligonucleotides are provided for use in the method.

Abstract: A method of identifying one or a combination of ligands, e.g. oligonucleotides or analogues, that interact specifically with a target, e.g. a DNA or an RNA molecule having a secondary or tertiary structure. One ligand may be pre-reacted to open up the target for interaction with other ligands forming an array on a solid surface.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a polynucleotide target involves incubating the target with an oligonucleotide probe, generally an array of immobilised oligonucleotide probes, to form a duplex, and using ligase or polymerase to extend one chain of the duplex. A point mutation or variable number tandem repeat section may be analyzed. Arrays of immobilised oligonucleotides are provided for use in the method.