Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods of synthesizing multiple copies of a target nucleic acid sequence which are autocatalytic (i.e., able to cycle automatically without the need to modify reaction conditions such as temperature, pH, or ionic strength and using the product of one cycle in the next one). In particular, the present invention discloses a method of nucleic acid amplification which is robust and efficient, while reducing the appearance of side-products. The method uses only one primer, the “priming oligonucleotide,” a promoter oligonucleotide modified to prevent polymerase extension from its 3?-terminus and, optionally, a means for terminating a primer extension reaction, to amplify RNA or DNA molecules in vitro, while reducing or substantially eliminating the formation of side-products. The method of the present invention minimizes or substantially eliminates the emergence of side-products, thus providing a high level of specificity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods of synthesizing multiple copies of a target nucleic acid sequence which are autocatalytic (i.e., able to cycle automatically without the need to modify reaction conditions such as temperature, pH, or ionic strength and using the product of one cycle in the next one). In particular, the present invention discloses a method of nucleic acid amplification which is robust and efficient, while reducing the appearance of side products. The method uses only one primer, the “priming oligonucleotide,” a 3?blocked promoter oligonucleotide and optionally, a means for terminating a primer extension reaction, to amplify RNA or DNA molecules in vitro, while reducing or eliminating the formation of side products. The method of the present invention minimizes or eliminates the emergence of side products, thus providing a high level of specificity.

Abstract: The present invention features “molecular torches” and the use of molecular torches for detecting the presence of a target nucleic acid sequence. Molecular torches contain a target binding domain, a target closing domain, and a joining region. The target binding domain is biased towards the target sequence such that the target binding domain forms a more stable hybrid with the target sequence than with the target closing domain under the same hybridization conditions. The joining region facilitates the formation or maintenance of a closed torch.

Abstract: The present invention features “molecular torches” and the use of molecular torches for detecting the presence of a target nucleic acid sequence. Molecular torches contain a target binding domain, a target closing domain, and a joining region. The target binding domain is biased towards the target sequence such that the target binding domain forms a more stable hybrid with the target sequence than with the target closing domain under the same hybridization conditions. The joining region facilitates the formation or maintenance of a closed torch.

Abstract: The present invention features inhibitors of target-independent amplification and the use of such inhibitors for enhancing an amplification protocol. The inhibitors are believed to enhance an amplification protocol by inhibiting the ability of one or more nucleic acid polymerases to use nucleic acid in a polymerase reaction in the absence of target nucleic acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to assay for detecting or determining the amount of target molecules in a sample. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to nucleic acid arrays and controls used in such arrays.

Abstract: The present invention features “molecular torches” and the use of molecular torches for detecting the presence of a target nucleic acid sequence. Molecular torches contain a target binding domain, a target closing domain, and a joining region. The target binding domain is biased towards the target sequence such that the target binding domain forms a more stable hybrid with the target sequence than with the target closing domain under the same hybridization conditions. The joining region facilitates the formation or maintenance of a closed torch.

Abstract: The present invention features “molecular torches” and the use of molecular torches for detecting the presence of a target nucleic acid sequence. Molecular torches contain a target binding domain, a target closing domain, and a joining region. The target binding domain is biased towards the target sequence such that the target binding domain forms a more stable hybrid with the target sequence than with the target closing domain under the same hybridization conditions. The joining region facilitates the formation or maintenance of a closed torch.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for hybridization providing a hybridization chamber. The hybridization chamber has a hybridization frame and detection frame. The hybridization chamber can be contained in housing that is releasably mated to enclose the hybridization chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for hybridization providing a chamber for hybridization and SPR detection. The hybridization chamber can have an inlet port and an outlet port. The chamber is adapted for SPR detection by a grating or by prism.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits for isolating one strand of a double-stranded target nucleic acid. The method capitalizes on the differences in the kinetics and thermodynamic stabilities between conventional DNA/DNA, DNA/RNA and RNA/RNA duplexes and heteroduplexes in which one strand of the heteroduplexe is a nucleobase polymer having a net positively charged or net neutral backbone, such as a PNA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and kits for quantitating target nucleic acid sequences using coupled ligation and amplification. The invention also relates to methods, reagents, and kits that employ addressable-support specific portions.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for the selective enrichment of low-abundance polynucleotides in a sample. These methods use enzymatically non-extendable nucleobase oligomers to selectively block polymerase activity on high abundance species, thereby resulting in an enrichment of less abundant species in the sample. The invention also relates to the pools of enriched polynucleotides produced by the methods. The resulting pools of enriched polynucleotides find a variety of uses, including the analysis of gene expression and the creation of cDNA libraries.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for the selective enrichment of low-abundance polynucleotides in a sample. These methods use enzymatically non-extendable nucleobase oligomers to selectively block polymerase activity on high abundance species, thereby resulting in an enrichment of less abundant species in the sample. The invention also relates to the pools of enriched polynucleotides produced by the methods. The resulting pools of enriched polynucleotides find a variety of uses, including the analysis of gene expression and the creation of cDNA libraries.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions useful for coding and decoding complex mixtures of test units. These methods and compositions use coding and decoding oligonucleotides that comprise standard nucleobases and also non-standard nucleobases that selectively base pair with other non-standard nucleobases. These non-standard nucleobases nucleobases display little or no selective base pairing with standard nucleobases. The use of the non-standard nucleobases increases the diversity of the coding oligonucleotides and reduces the cross-reactivity of the coding and/or decoding oligonucleotides with other molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of nucleic acid sequences using coupled ligation and amplification. The coupling of ligation and amplification allows multiplex detection of nucleic acid sequences. The invention also relates to methods, reagents, and kits that employ addressable-support specific sequences in detecting nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: The present invention features “molecular torches” and the use of molecular torches for detecting the presence of a target nucleic acid sequence. Molecular torches contain a target binding domain, a target closing domain, and a joining region. The target binding domain is biased towards the target sequence such that the target binding domain forms a more stable hybrid with the target sequence than with the target closing domain under the same hybridization conditions. The joining region facilitates the formation or maintenance of a closed torch.

Abstract: The present invention features “molecular torches” and the use of molecular torches for detecting the presence of a target nucleic acid sequence. Molecular torches contain a target binding domain, a target closing domain, and a joining region. The target binding domain is biased towards the target sequence such that the target binding domain forms a more stable hybrid with the target sequence than with the target closing domain under the same hybridization conditions. The joining region facilitates the formation or maintenance of a closed torch.

Abstract: The present invention features inhibitors of target-independent amplification and the use of such inhibitors for enhancing an amplification protocol. The inhibitors are believed to enhance an amplification protocol by inhibiting the ability of one or more nucleic acid polymerases to use nucleic acid in a polymerase reaction in the absence of target nucleic acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits for isolating one strand of a double-stranded target nucleic acid. The method capitalizes on the differences in the kinetics and thermodynamic stabilities between conventional DNA/DNA, DNA/RNA and RNA/RNA duplexes and heteroduplexes in which one strand of the heteroduplexe is a nucleobase polymer having a net positively charged or net neutral backbone, such as a PNA.