Abstract: Disclosed are compounds capable of facilitating transport of biologically active agents or substances into cells having the general structure: wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of N, O and S; L is any bivalent organic radical capable of linking each Q, such as C, CH, (CH2)l, or {(CH2)i-Y—(CH2)j}k, wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of CH2, an ether, a polyether, an amide, a polyamide, an ester, a sulfide, a urea, a thiourea, a guanidyl, a carbamoyl, a carbonate, a phosphate, a sulfate, a sulfoxide, an imine, a carbonyl, and a secondary amino group and wherein Y is optionally substituted by —X1—L?—X2—Z or —Z; R1–R6, independently of one another, are selected from the group consisting of H, —(CH2)p-D—Z, an alkyl, an alkenyl, an aryl, and an alkyl or alkyl ether optionally substituted by one or more of an alcohol, an aminoalcohol, an amine, an amide, an ether, a polyether, a polyamide, an ester, a mercaptan, an alkylthio, a urea, a thiourea, a guanidyl, or a carbamoyl group, and

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions useful for transfecting eukaryotic cells comprising nucleic acid complexes with peptides, wherein the peptide is optionally covalently coupled to a nucleic acid-binding group, and cationic lipids or dendrimers as transfection agents. The invention also provides transfection compositions in which a peptide is covalently linked to the transfection agent (lipid, cationic lipid or dendrimer). Inclusion of peptides or modified-peptides in transfection compositions or covalent attachment of peptides to transfection agents results in enhanced transfection efficiency. Methods for the preparation of transfection compositions and methods of using these transfection compositions as intracellular delivery agents and extracellular targeting agents are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for introducing one or more antisense oligonucleotides into one or more eucaryotic cells using one or more lipid formulations comprising one or more cationic lipids of Formula I and optionally at least one neutral lipid. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for introducing one or more antisense oligonucleotides into one or more eucaryotic cells using a lipid formulation comprising dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DDAB) and at least one neutral lipid, especially dioleylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE). The invention also relates to kits for carrying out the invention, compositions for carrying out the invention, and compositions formed while carrying out the invention. Further, the present invention relates to a method for inhibiting or preventing cell growth or proliferation, and a method for inhibiting or preventing expression of one or more proteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides certain cationic lipids containing stigmasterol, ergosterol and cholic acid groups. Compounds of the invention are useful, either alone or in combination with other lipid aggregate-forming components (e.g., DOPE, DOSPA, DOTMA or cholesterol) for formulation into liposomes or other lipid aggregates. Such aggregates are cationic, and able to form stable complexes with anionic macromolecules, such as nucleic acids. The cationic lipids of the invention are useful in methods of transfecting cells, particularly to introduce nucleic acids into cells. The invention also related to kits for the preparation of lipid aggregates and to lipid aggregates and compositions for transfection of cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides certain cationic lipids containing stigmasterol, ergosterol and cholic acid groups. Compounds of the invention are useful, either alone or in combination with other lipid aggregate-forming components (e.g., DOPE, DOSPA, DOTMA or cholesterol) for formulation into liposomes or other lipid aggregates. Such aggregates are cationic, and able to form stable complexes with anionic macromolecules, such as nucleic acids. The cationic lipids of the invention are useful in methods of transfecting cells, particularly to introduce nucleic acids into cells. The invention also related to kits for the preparation of lipid aggregates and to lipid aggregates and compositions for transfection of cells.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds capable of facilitating transport of biologically active agents or substances into cells having the general structure: wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of N, O and S; L is any bivalent organic radical capable of linking each Q, such as C, CH, (CH2)l, or {(CH2)i-Y—(CH2)j}k, wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of CH2, an ether, a polyether, an amide, a polyamide, an ester, a sulfide, a urea, a thiourea, a guanidyl, a carbamoyl, a carbonate, a phosphate, a sulfate, a sulfoxide, an imine, a carbonyl, and a secondary amino group and wherein Y is optionally substituted by —X1-L?-X2-Z or -Z; R1-R6, independently of one another, are selected from the group consisting of H, —(CH2)p-D-Z, an alkyl, an alkenyl, an aryl, and an alkyl or alkyl ether optionally substituted by one or more of an alcohol, an aminoalcohol, an amine, an amide, an ether, a polyether, a polyamide, an ester, a mercaptan, an alkylthio, a urea, a thiourea, a guanidyl, or a carbamoyl group, and w

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds capable of facilitating transport of biologically active agents or substances into cells having the general structure: wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of N, O and S; L is any bivalent organic radical capable of linking each Q, such as C, CH, (CH2)l, or {(CH2)i-Y—(CH2)j}k, wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of CH2, an ether, a polyether, an amide, a polyamide, an ester, a sulfide, a urea, a thiourea, a guanidyl, a carbamoyl, a carbonate, a phosphate, a sulfate, a sulfoxide, an imine, a carbonyl, and a secondary amino group and wherein Y is optionally substituted by —X1-L?-X2-Z or -Z; R1-R6, independently of one another, are selected from the group consisting of H, —(CH2)p-D-Z, an alkyl, an alkenyl, an aryl, and an alkyl or alkyl ether optionally substituted by one or more of an alcohol, an aminoalcohol, an amine, an amide, an ether, a polyether, a polyamide, an ester, a mercaptan, an alkylthio, a urea, a thiourea, a guanidyl, or a carbamoyl group, and w

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds capable of facilitating transport of biologically active agents or substances into cells having the general structure: wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of N, O and S; L is any bivalent organic radical capable of linking each Q, such as C, CH, (CH2)l, or {(CH2)i-Y—(CH2)j}k, wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of CH2, an ether, a polyether, an amide, a polyamide, an ester, a sulfide, a urea, a thiourea, a guanidyl, a carbamoyl, a carbonate, a phosphate, a sulfate, a sulfoxide, an imine, a carbonyl, and a secondary amino group and wherein Y is optionally substituted by —X1-L?-X2-Z or -Z; R1-R6, independently of one another, are selected from the group consisting of H, —(CH2)p-D-Z, an alkyl, an alkenyl, an aryl, and an alkyl or alkyl ether optionally substituted by one or more of an alcohol, an aminoalcohol, an amine, an amide, an ether, a polyether, a polyamide, an ester, a mercaptan, an alkylthio, a urea, a thiourea, a guanidyl, or a carbamoyl group, and

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds capable of facilitating transport of biologically active agents or substances into cells having the general structure: wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of N, O and S; L is any bivalent organic radical capable of linking each Q, such as C, CH, (CH2)l, or {(CH2)i-Y—(CH2)j}k, wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of CH2, an ether, a polyether, an amide, a polyamide, an ester, a sulfide, a urea, a thiourea, a guanidyl, a carbamoyl, a carbonate, a phosphate, a sulfate, a sulfoxide, an imine, a carbonyl, and a secondary amino group and wherein Y is optionally substituted by —X1-L?-X2-Z or -Z; R1-R6, independently of one another, are selected from the group consisting of H, —(CH2)p-D-Z, an alkyl, an alkenyl, an aryl, and an alkyl or alkyl ether optionally substituted by one or more of an alcohol, an aminoalcohol, an amine, an amide, an ether, a polyether, a polyamide, an ester, a mercaptan, an alkylthio, a urea, a thiourea, a guanidyl, or a carbamoyl group, and

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds capable of facilitating transport of biologically active agents or substances into cells having the general structure: wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of N, O and S; L is any bivalent organic radical capable of linking each Q, such as C, CH, (CH2)l, or {(CH2)i—Y—(CH2)j}k, wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of CH2, an ether, a polyether, an amide, a polyamide, an ester, a sulfide, a urea, a thiourea, a guanidyl, a carbamoyl, a carbonate, a phosphate, a sulfate, a sulfoxide, an imine, a carbonyl, and a secondary amino group and wherein Y is optionally substituted by —X1-L?-X2-Z or -Z; R1-R6, independently of one another, are selected from the group consisting of H, —(CH2)p-D-Z, an alkyl, an alkenyl, an aryl, and an alkyl or alkyl ether optionally substituted by one or more of an alcohol, an aminoalcohol, an amine, an amide, an ether, a polyether, a polyamide, an ester, a mercaptan, an alkylthio, a urea, a thiourea, a guanidyl, or a carbamoyl group, and

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: Cationic lipid compositions are provided that are useful for efficient delivery of macromolecules, such as nucleic acids, into a wide variety of eukaryotic cell types. Methods for using the compositions also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for releasing nucleic acid molecules from solid matrices. The invention further relates to compositions and methods for purifying and isolating nucleic acid molecules from biological materials such as animal tissues and plant matter. The methods of the invention can be readily adapted for rapid processing of multiple samples. Thus, the invention further provides automated methods for the purification of nucleic acid molecules from numerous samples. The invention also relates to kits for removing nucleic acid molecules from solid matrices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for enhancing synthesis of nucleic acid molecules, particularly GC-rich nucleic acid molecules. Specifically, the invention provides compositions comprising one or more nitrogen-containing organic compounds having a formula selected from the group consisting of formula I and formula II (or salts or derivatives thereof), preferably 4-methylmorpholine N-oxide or betaine (carboxymethyltrimethylammonium), and further comprising one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of proline and an N-alkylimidazole compound, and more preferably proline, 1-methylimidazole or 4-methylimidazole. The invention further relates to methods for enhanced, high-fidelity synthesis of nucleic acid molecules, including via amplification (particularly PCR), reverse transcription, and sequencing methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for releasing nucleic acid molecules from solid matrices. The invention further relates to compositions and methods for purifying and isolating nucleic acid molecules from biological materials such as animal tissues and plant matter. The methods of the invention can be readily adapted for rapid processing of multiple samples. Thus, the invention further provides automated methods for the purification of nucleic acid molecules from numerous samples. The invention also relates to kits for removing nucleic acid molecules from solid matrices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for enhancing synthesis of nucleic acid molecules, particularly GC-rich nucleic acid molecules. Specifically, the invention provides compositions comprising one or more nitrogen-containing organic compounds having a formula selected from the group consisting of formula I and formula II (or salts or derivatives thereof), preferably 4-methylmorpholine N-oxide or betaine (carboxymethyltrimethylammonium), and further comprising one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of proline and an N-alkylimidazole compound, and more preferably proline, 1-methyliimidazole or 4-methylimidazole. The invention further relates to methods for enhanced, high-fidelity synthesis of nucleic acid molecules, including via amplification (particularly PCR), reverse transcription, and sequencing methods.

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 compositions useful for transfecting eukaryotic cells comprising nucleic acid complexes with peptides, wherein the peptide is optionally covalently coupled to a nucleic acid-binding group, and cationic lipids or dendrimers as transfection agents. The invention also provides transfection compositions in which a peptide is covalently linked to the transfection agent (lipid, cationic lipid or dendrimer). Inclusion of peptides or modified-peptides in transfection compositions or covalent attachment of peptides to transfection agents results in enhanced transfection efficiency. Methods for the preparation of transfection compositions and methods of using these transfection compositions as intracellular delivery agents and extracellular targeting agents are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for deblocking substantially a blocked, detectably labeled oligonucleotide by contacting the blocked detectably labeled oligonucleotide with an effective amount of a nucleophilic amino compound under conditions that result in substantial deblocking of the oligonucleotide, thereby giving the substantially deblocked oligonucleotide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for deblocking substantially a blocked, detectably labeled oligonucleotide by contacting the blocked detectably labeled oligonucleotide with an effective amount of a nucleophilic amino compound under conditions that result in substantial deblocking of the oligonucleotide, thereby giving the substantially deblocked oligonucleotide.