Abstract: The present invention discloses nucleic acid molecules encoding WRN gene products, expression vectors and host cells suitable for expressing such products.

Abstract: Synthetic oligonucleotides, such as synthetic DNA, often contain sequence errors due to synthetic failures (e.g., side products and/or truncated products). Methods are provided herein for improving the sequence fidelity of synthetic double-stranded oligonucleotides by separative depletion of synthetic failures. Separation is effected by utilization of methodologies in a preparative mode under denaturing conditions. A preferred use of the methods relates to gene synthesis.

Abstract: Polynucleotides having in excess of 1,000 nucleotides can be prepared using a solid phase synthesis technique. A feature of the technique is the use of a reusable solid support that contains covalently bound oligonucleotide. This covalently bound oligonucleotide is annealed to a bridge oligonucleotide, where the bridge is also annealed to a first oligonucleotide that forms a portion of the target polynucleotide. After the target polynucleotide is synthesized, it can be removed from the solid support under denaturing conditions, and the solid support re-used to prepare additional target polynucleotides. The yield of the target polynucleotide increases when shearing force is applied to the solid support that is linked to the growing oligonucleotide. This shearing force is thought to extend the growing end of the oligonucleotide away from contact with other oligonucleotide bound to the solid support and make that end more accessible to annealing with solution oligonucleotide.

Abstract: Methods and compounds, including compositions therefrom, are provided for determining the sequence of nucleic acid molecules. The methods permit the determination of multiple nucleic acid sequences simultaneously. The compounds are used as tags to generate tagged nucleic acid fragments which are complementary to a selected target nucleic acid molecule. Each tag is correlative with a particular nucleotide and, in a preferred embodiment, is detectable by mass spectrometry. Following separation of the tagged fragments by sequential length, the tags are cleaved from the tagged fragments. In a preferred embodiment, the tags are detected by mass spectrometry and the sequence of the nucleic acid molecule is determined therefrom. The individual steps of the methods can be used in automated format, e.g., by the incorporation into systems.

Abstract: A novel class or family of TGF-&bgr; binding proteins is disclosed. Also disclosed are assays for selecting molecules for increasing bone mineralization and methods for utilizing such molecules.

Abstract: Tags and linkers specifically designed for a wide variety of nucleic acid reactions are disclosed, which are suitable for a wide variety of nucleic acid reactions wherein separation of nucleic acid molecules based upon size is required.

Abstract: The present invention discloses nucleic acid molecules encoding WRN gene products, expression vectors and host cells suitable for expressing such products.

Abstract: Methods are provided for detecting the binding of a first member to a second member of a ligand pair, comprising the steps of (a) combining a set of first tagged members with a biological sample which may contain one or more second members, under conditions, and for a time sufficient to permit binding of a first member to a second member, wherein said tag is correlative with a particular first member and detectable by non-fluorescent spectrometry, or potentiometry, (b) separating bound first and second members from unbound members, (c) cleaving the tag from the tagged first member, and (d) detecting the tag by non-fluorescent spectrometry, or potentiometry, and therefrom detecting the binding of the first member to the second member .

Abstract: A novel class or family of TGF-&bgr; binding proteins is disclosed. Also disclosed are assays for selecting molecules for increasing bone mineralization and methods for utilizing such molecules.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for increasing bone density using antibodies directed to a novel class or family human of TGF-&bgr; binding proteins are disclosed. The disclosed compositions are useful, for example, in the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of diseases associated with a loss of bone density, for example osteoporosis. The disclosed compositions include polypeptides, and their encoding polynucleotides, which specifically bind to at least one human bone morphogenic protein (BMP) selected from BMP-5 and BMP-6.

Abstract: A method and system for correlating characteristics (e.g., type of nucleotide) of biomolecules (e.g., DNA) to molecular tags with unique molecular weights that are associated with the biomolecule. In one embodiment. the molecular tags are applied to primers used when synthesizing the biomolecule. The system initially receives a mapping of each characteristic of the biomolecules to the corresponding molecular weight of the molecular tag. The system also receives an indication of the molecular weights detected when analyzing the biomolecules to which the molecular tags have been associated. For each molecular weight detected, the system determines based on the received mapping the characteristic corresponding to the detected molecular weight. The system then indicates that the analyzed biomolecule has the determined characteristic.

Abstract: Methods and compounds, including compositions therefrom, are provided for determining the sequence of nucleic acid molecules. The methods permit the determination of multiple nucleic acid sequences simultaneously. The compounds are used as tags to generate tagged nucleic acid fragments which are complementary to a selected target nucleic acid molecule. Each tag is correlative with a particular nucleotide and, in a preferred embodiment, is detectable by mass spectrometry. Following separation of the tagged fragments by sequential length, the tags are cleaved from the tagged fragments. In a preferred embodiment, the tags are detected by mass spectrometry and the sequence of the nucleic acid molecule is determined therefrom. The individual steps of the methods can be used in automated format, e.g., by the incorporation into systems.

Abstract: Synthetic oligonucleotides, such as synthetic DNA, often contain sequence errors due to synthetic failures (e.g., side products and/or truncated products). Methods are provided herein for improving the sequence fidelity of synthetic double-stranded oligonucleotides by separative depletion of synthetic failures. Separation is effected by utilization of methodologies in a preparative mode under denaturing conditions. A preferred use of the methods relates to gene synthesis.

Abstract: A novel human protein has been isolated which is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule comprising the polynucleotide sequence provided in SEQ ID NO:1 or a polynucleotide sequence that is completely complementary thereto. This novel protein binds to at least two members of the family of TGF-beta proteins, which are the human bone morphogenic protein-5 and human bone morphogenic protein-6.

Abstract: A method and system for correlating characteristics (e.g., type of nucleotide) of biomolecules (e.g., DNA) to molecular tags with unique molecular weights that are associated with the biomolecule. In one embodiment, the molecular tags are applied to primers used when synthesizing the biomolecule. The system initially receives a mapping of each characteristic of the biomolecules to the corresponding molecular weight of the molecular tag. The system also receives an indication of the molecular weights detected when analyzing the biomolecules to which the molecular tags have been associated. For each molecular weight detected, the system determines based on the received mapping the characteristic corresponding to the detected molecular weight. The system then indicates that the analyzed biomolecule has the determined characteristic.

Abstract: Methods and compounds, including compositions therefrom, are provided for determining the sequence of nucleic acid molecules. The methods permit the determination of multiple nucleic acid sequences simultaneously. The compounds are used as tags to generate tagged nucleic acid fragments which are complementary to a selected target nucleic acid molecule. Each tag is correlative with a particular nucleotide and, in a preferred embodiment, is detectable by mass spectrometry. Following separation of the tagged fragments by sequential length, the tags are cleaved from the tagged fragments. In a preferred embodiment, the tags are detected by mass spectrometry and the sequence of the nucleic acid molecule is determined therefrom. The individual steps of the methods can be used in automated format, e.g., by the incorporation into systems.

Abstract: The present invention discloses nucleic acid molecules encoding WRN gene products, expresion vectors, viral vectors, and host cells suitable for expressing such products.

Abstract: Methods are provided for detecting the binding of a first member to a second member of a ligand pair, comprising the steps of (a) combining a set of first tagged members with a biological sample which may contain one or more second members, under conditions, and for a time sufficient to permit binding of a first member to a second member, wherein said tag is correlative with a particular first member and detectable by non-fluorescent spectrometry, or potentiometry, (b) separating bound first and second members from unbound members, (c) cleaving the tag from the tagged first member, and (d) detecting the tag by non-fluorescent spectrometry, or potentiometry, and therefrom detecting the binding of the first member to the second member.

Abstract: Novel constructs are provided containing DNA fragments comprising a Rhizobium nodulation gene divergent transcriptional initiation regulatory region. The region is responsive to plant exudate in the presence of a nod D gene product. When associated with plants, the region can control the expression of structural genes, such as agents active in protecting plants or inducing their growth.This invention was funded at least in-part by a grant from the National Institutes of Health. The U.S. government may have certain rights in this invention.