Abstract: The present invention concerns oxocarbonamide peptide nucleic acids (OxoPNAs). OxoPNAs provide increased stability, sensitivity, and specificity as compared to their natural DNA and RNA counterparts. The OxoPNA molecules of the present invention may be employed in a wide range of applications, particularly in applications involving hybridization. For example, OxoPNA probes may be employed for the detection and functional analysis of nucleic acid molecules, including miRNAs and other non-coding RNAs.

Abstract: The present invention concerns oxocarbonamide peptide nucleic acids (OxoPNAs). OxoPNAs provide increased stability, sensitivity, and specificity as compared to their natural DNA and RNA counterparts. The OxoPNA molecules of the present invention may be employed in a wide range of applications, particularly in applications involving hybridization. For example, OxoPNA probes may be employed for the detection and functional analysis of nucleic acid molecules, including miRNAs and other non-coding RNAs.

Abstract: Methods, particles and kits for determining kinase activity within a sample are provided. An embodiment of a method includes exposing a fluorescent particle to an assay, wherein the fluorescent particle includes a support substrate having one or more fluorescent materials and a peptide substrate coupled to the support substrate via a functional group of the support substrate. The method further includes phosphorylating the peptide substrate during exposure of the fluorescent particle to the assay and processing the fluorescent particle such that the peptide substrate is dephosphorylated and a polarized double bond is generated at a dephosphorylated site. In addition, the method includes coupling a fluorescent reporter having a nucleophilic terminal group to the fluorescent particle via the polarized double bond.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention utilizes advanced detection methodologies as a cost-effective, efficient, ultra-sensitive rapid method for diagnosing severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) in infants. In certain aspects, multiple markers of SCID are concurrently detected and measured to provide a more efficient, sensitive and accurate diagnosis of SCID.

Abstract: Methods, particles and kits for determining kinase activity within a sample are provided. An embodiment of a method includes exposing a fluorescent particle to an assay, wherein the fluorescent particle includes a support substrate having one or more fluorescent materials and a peptide substrate coupled to the support substrate via a functional group of the support substrate. The method further includes phosphorylating the peptide substrate during exposure of the fluorescent particle to the assay and processing the fluorescent particle such that the peptide substrate is dephosphorylated and a polarized double bond is generated at a dephosphorylated site. In addition, the method includes coupling a fluorescent reporter having a nucleophilic terminal group to the fluorescent particle via the polarized double bond.

Abstract: Methods for characterizing immune diseases are provided which include exposing a sample of biological fluid from a patient to a pooled population of particles, wherein a first subset of particles is bound to a reactant that binds an antibody and a second subset of particles is bound to a reactant that binds an antigen. The methods further include determining a ratio of measured amounts of the antibody and the antigen in the sample. In some cases, the ratio is compared to one or more standard ratios representing differing states of the disease to determine a state of the disease within the patient. In other embodiments, the steps of exposing and determining a ratio of antibody to antigen are repeated for one or more additional samples of biological fluid taken from the patient. In such cases, at least two ratios are compared to analyze a progression of the disease.

Abstract: A method for detecting a plurality of reactive sites on an analyte, comprising allowing reactants on an addressable microsphere and the reactive sites to react, forming reactant-reactive site pairs distinguishable by fluorescence intensity. The invention also provides a method for detecting a plurality of analytes in a sample using addressable microspheres in combination with one or more reporter reagents. Also provided are a method for determining allele zygosity of a genetic locus having two alleles or more alleles using microparticles, and a method for detecting a plurality of SNPs in nucleic acid molecules. The instant invention also provides a composition comprising an addressable microsphere carrying at least two fluorescent reactants capable of forming reactant-analyte pairs distinguishable by their fluorescence intensity, and kits comprising the inventive composition and a plurality of reporter reagents.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of characterizing autoimmune diseases by detecting and measuring at least one analyte using multiplexed assay systems. According to one embodiment, a target is detected and measured by different bead sets having different reactants. According to another approach the ratio of self-antigen to autoantibody is measured by exposing a sample suspected of containing self-antigen and autoantibody to a bead set associated with monoclonal antibody specific for the self-antigen and a bead set associated with the self-antigen.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of characterizing autoimmune diseases by detecting and measuring at least one analyte using multiplexed assay systems. According to one embodiment, a target is detected and measured by different bead sets having different reactants. According to another approach the ratio of self-antigen to autoantibody is measured by exposing a sample suspected of containing self-antigen and autoantibody to a bead set associated with monoclonal antibody specific for the self-antigen and a bead set associated with the self-antigen.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of characterizing autoimmune diseases by detecting and measuring at least one analyte using multiplexed assay systems. According to one embodiment, a target is detected and measured by different bead sets having different reactants. According to another approach the ratio of self-antigen to autoantibody is measured by exposing a sample suspected of containing self-antigen and autoantibody to a bead set associated with monoclonal antibody specific for the self-antigen and a bead set associated with the self-antigen.

Abstract: A method for detecting a plurality of reactive sites on an analyte, comprising allowing reactants on an addressable microsphere and the reactive sites to react, forming reactant-reactive site pairs distinguishable by fluorescence intensity. The invention also provides a method for detecting a plurality of analytes in a sample using addressable microspheres in combination with one or more reporter reagents. Also provided are a method for determining allele zygosity of a genetic locus having two alleles or more alleles using microparticles, and a method for detecting a plurality of SNPs in nucleic acid molecules. The instant invention also provides a composition comprising an addressable microsphere carrying at least two fluorescent reactants capable of forming reactant-analyte pairs distinguishable by their fluorescence intensity, and kits comprising the inventive composition and a plurality of reporter reagents.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel recombinant antigenic proteins of avian coccidiosis, and fragments thereof containing antigenic determinants, and to the genes that encode the antigenic peptides. This invention also relates to vaccines made using the novel antigenic proteins of avian coccidiosis and to methods of immunizing chickens against avian coccidia.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel recombinant antigenic proteins of avian coccidiosis, and fragments thereof containing antigenic determinants, and to the genes that encode the antigenic peptides. This invention also relates to vaccines made using the novel antigenic proteins of avian coccidiosis and to methods of immunizing chickens against avian coccidia.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel recombinant antigenic proteins of avian coccidiosis, and fragments thereof containing antigenic determinants, and to the genes that encode the antigenic peptides. This invention also relates to vaccines made using the novel antigenic proteins of avian coccidiosis and to methods of immunizing chickens against avian coccidia.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel recombinant antigenic proteins of avian coccidiosis, and fragments thereof containing antigenic determinants, and to the genes that encode the antigenic peptides. This invention also relates to vaccines made using the novel antigenic proteins of avian coccidiosis and to methods of immunizing chickens against avian coccidia.

Abstract: A composition for disintegrating hair which comprises a hair-disintegrating amount of a mixture of a proteolytic enzyme and a disulfide reducing agent, and maintained at a pH that enhances hair denaturation, and a method for clearing pipe clogged with a hair-containing deposit are disclosed.

Abstract: A standard thermostat control unit, such as used in residential heating systems, is modified to include a manually actuated, electro-mechanical timer that includes a switch connected across the unit's thermostatically operated contacts, such that actuation of the timer produces a temporary, self-expiring, operating mode in which the normal thermostatic regulation of the furnace is overridden and the furnace is held "on" for the brief duration of the timer interval. The modified unit may be used in lieu of the standard unit as an energy and cost saving device in places such as in a vacant house, waiting to be sold or rented, with the unit preset at a minimum, thermostatically regulated temperature level.