Abstract: The present invention pertains to the use of at least one abasic modification within the first 8 nucleotide positions of the 5? region of the antisense strand of a small interfering nucleic acid (siNA) molecule for reducing off-target effects. Provided are suitable modified siNAs, compositions and methods for producing respective siNAs, as well as kits comprising respective siNAs.

Abstract: Novel thermostable chimeric nucleic acid polymerases and methods for their generation and use are disclosed. It is shown that these chimeric nucleic acid polymerases, such as DNA polymerases, can be constructed using enzymatically active domains, isolated from different proteins or chemically synthesized. It is demonstrated that chimeric nucleic acid polymerases of the present invention possess the chemical and physical properties of their component domains (e.g., exonuclease activity, thermostability) and that the chimeric polymerases are thermostable.

Abstract: A method for producing low temperature bainite steel containing aluminum may include providing an alloy steel containing aluminum, carbon, chromium, silicon, molybdenum, manganese and nickel, wherein the amount of aluminum is in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 wt. %, and the amount of carbon is in the range of 0.2 to 1.1 wt. %; smelting to convert the alloy steel into a molten steel, followed by subjecting to refining and vacuum degassing, and then subjected to rolling or forging; heating the steel to 880-950° C., cooling the steel to Ms+10° C. at a rate higher than 50° C./min, continuously and slowly cooling the steel from Ms+10° C. to Ms×100×C(wt %)° C., holding the steel at a temperature of 250° C. to 350° C. for 20 to 30 min, and then air cooling the steel to room temperature, holding the steel at a temperature of 180° C. to 280° C. for 60 min, and then air cooling the steel to room temperature.

Abstract: Novel thermostable chimeric nucleic acid polymerases and methods for their generation and use are disclosed. It is shown that these chimeric nucleic acid polymerases, such as DNA polymerases, can be constructed using enzymatically active domains, isolated from different proteins or chemically synthesized. It is demonstrated that chimeric nucleic acid polymerases of the present invention possess the chemical and physical properties of their component domains (e.g., exonuclease activity, thermostability) and that the chimeric polymerases are thermostable.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the use of an apoptosis inducing combination of at least a. a first expression modulating compound silencing the expression of at least a first target gene involved in apoptosis and b. a second expression modulating compound silencing the expression of at least a second target gene involved in apoptosis as a positive control in expression modulating assays. Also provided are suitable methods, kits and compositions.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the use of at least one abasic modification within the first 8 nucleotide positions of the 5? region of the antisense strand of a small interfering nucleic acid (siNA) molecule for reducing off-target effects. Provided are suitable modified siNAs, compositions and methods for producing respective siNAs, as well as kits comprising respective siNAs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermostable polymerase based on thermococcus pacificus; DNA molecules which code for one such polymerase; expression vectors; host cells; methods for producing one such polymerase and the use thereof for polymerising nucleic acid, especially in the polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the use of an apoptosis inducing combination of at least a. a first expression modulating compound silencing the expression of at least a first target gene involved in apoptosis and b. a second expression modulating compound silencing the expression of at least a second target gene involved in apoptosis as a positive control in expression modulating assays. Also provided are suitable methods, kits and compositions.

Abstract: A transfection method of introducing sample molecules into cells is provided, comprising: (a) using a substrate comprising at least one sample spot area which is surrounded by an hydrophobic area; (b) wherein sample molecules are applied to said at least one sample spot area, thereby placing said sample molecules in the discrete location of said sample spot area; (c) applying cells to be transfected onto the substrate and incubation under appropriate conditions for entry of the sample molecules into said cells; (d) whereby at least a portion of said sample molecules are introduced into said cells.

Abstract: A method for separating and/or isolating circular nucleic acids from a mixture having different species of nucleic acids other than circular nucleic acids wherein the mixture is treated under alkaline conditions at a pH>8 with a solid matrix consisting essentially of a silica material in presence of at least one chaotropic substance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermostable polymerase based on thermococcus pacificus; DNA molecules which code for one such polymerase; expression vectors; host cells; methods for producing one such polymerase and the use thereof for polymerising nucleic acid, especially in the polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract: Novel thermostable chimeric nucleic acid polymerases and methods for their generation and use are disclosed. It is shown that these chimeric nucleic acid polymerases, such as DNA polymerases, can be constructed using enzymatically active domains, isolated from different proteins or chemically synthesized. It is demonstrated that chimeric nucleic acid polymerases of the present invention possess the chemical and physical properties of their component domains (e.g., exonuclease activity, thermostability) and that the chimeric polymerases are thermostable.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the purification of bio-molecules, especially nucleic acids, comprising a column body with inlet and outlet opening and at least one membrane disposed therein, preferably a silica membrane. Bio-molecules such as isolated nucleic acids are recovered with less dilution and requiring less concentration of the recovery solution by employing a membrane that is 1% to 57% less than the internal diameter of the purification column.

Abstract: A method for separating and/or isolating circular nucleic acids from a mixture having different species of nucleic acids other than circular nulceic acids wherein the mixture is treated under alkaline conditions at a PH>8 with a solid matrix consisting essentially of a silica material in presence of at least one chaotropic substance.

Abstract: Novel compositions and methods useful for the generation of nucleic acids from a ribonucleic acid template and further nucleic acid replication are disclosed. It is shown that the generation and amplification of nucleic acids by methods that utilize two or more different polymerases, such as reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), are dramatically more sensitive and efficient in the presence of a homopolymeric nucleic acid. Homopolymeric nucleic acids have been found to reduce or negate the inhibitory effect reverse transcriptases have on DNA polymerase activity. It is demonstrated that this inhibition-relieving effect of homopolymeric nucleic acids is general in nature; independent of the chemical species of homopolymer used, or the chemical composition of the polymerization reaction mixture.

Abstract: A method for the amplification of a target nucleic acid is disclosed comprising the steps of reacting a nucleic acid with an amplification reaction mixture and a modified thermostable enzyme, wherein said modified thermostable polymerase is prepared by a reaction of a mixture of a thermostable polymerase and a chemical modifying reagent. The chemical modification reagent is an aldehyde, preferably formaldehyde. Essentially complete inactivation of the enzyme at ambient temperatures is achieved, with recovery of enzymatic activity at temperatures above 50° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the precursor protein of amyloid plaque core (APC) polypeptide, to fragments of the precursor protein and to the diagnostic use of the precursor protein and of the fragments. Furthermore, the invention relates to the DNA coding for the precursor protein, to fragments of this DNA and to the diagnostic use of the DNA and of the fragments.