Abstract: The invention relates to a method of generating a signal indicative of the presence of a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample, where the method includes forming a cleavage structure by incubating a sample comprising a target nucleic acid sequence with a probe having a secondary structure that changes upon binding of the probe to the target nucleic acid sequence, and cleaving the cleavage structure with a nuclease to release a nucleic acid fragment to generate a signal, wherein generation of the signal is indicative of the presence of a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample.

Abstract: The invention provides improved techniques for conveniently manipulating polynucleotides of interest without the need to rely upon the presence of naturally occurring restriction sites. Additionally, using the methods and primers of the invention, one may synthesize a polynucleotide of interest in a form which is easily and directionally cloned into a DNA sequence of choice without necessarily introducing extraneous nucleotides in the final polynucleotide product. The methods of the invention employ releasable primers that comprise a recognition site for a releasing enzyme joined to a region for annealing to the polynucleotide template of interest. Polynucleotide sequences of interest are synthesized using one or more synthesis primers, wherein at least one of the primers is a releasable primer. After synthesis, the synthesis product is cleaved by a releasing enzyme.

Abstract: A method of producing libraries of genes encoding antigen-combining molecules or antibodies; a method of producing antigen-combining molecules which does not require an in vivo procedure; a method of obtaining antigen-combining molecules of selected specificity which does not require an in vivo procedure; vectors useful in the present method; and antigen-combining molecules produced by the method. The antigen-combining molecules are useful for the detection, quantitation, purification and neutralization of antigens, as well as for diagnostic, therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for isolating from the immunological gene repertoire a gene coding for a receptor having the ability to bind a preselected ligand. Receptors produced by the gene isolated by the method, particularly catalytic receptors, are also contemplated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for isolating from the immunological gene repertoire a gene coding for a receptor having the ability to bind a preselected ligand. Receptors produced by the gene isolated by the method, particularly catalytic receptors, are also contemplated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for isolating from the immunological gene repertoire a gene coding for a receptor having the ability to bind a preselected ligand. Receptors produced by the gene isolated by the method, particularly catalytic receptors, are also contemplated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for isolating from the immunological gene repertoire a gene coding for a receptor having the ability to bind a preselected ligand. Receptors produced by the gene isolated by the method, particularly catalytic receptors, are also contemplated.

Abstract: The invention concerns an expression vector that permits expression of genes and fragments thereof in both prokaryotic and mammalian systems. The invention also pertains to derivatives of such vector that contain one or more prokaryotic or eukaryotic (especially mammalian) genes or gene fragments. The invention further pertains to prokaryotic or mammalian cells containing such an expression vector or derivative.

Abstract: The invention provides improved techniques for conveniently manipulating polynucleotides of interest without the need to rely upon the presence of naturally occurring restriction sites. Additionally, using the methods and primers of the invention, one may synthesize a polynucleotide of interest in a form which is easily and directionally cloned into a DNA sequence of choice without necessarily introducing extraneous nucleotides in the final polynucleotide product. The methods of the invention employ releasable primers that comprise a recognition site for a releasing enzyme joined to a region for annealing to the polynucleotide template of interest. Polynucleotide sequences of interest are synthesized using one or more synthesis primers, wherein at least one of the primers is a releasable primer. After synthesis, the synthesis product is cleaved by a releasing enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and kits for generating or analyzing nucleic acid populations or desired nucleic acid sequences based upon replication or amplification reactions. The invention comprises methods employing adaptors ligated to nucleic acids that preferentially permit replication or amplification of desired nucleic acid sequences or preferentially eliminate undesired nucleic acids from replication or amplification. The invention also comprises adaptors useful in the methods and in kits for replicating or amplifying nucleic acids. In one embodiment, the adaptors function to protect desired nucleic acids from cleavage by a restriction enzyme while other nucleic acids are cleaved. The protected, desired nucleic acids can then be preferentially replicated or amplified. Accordingly, the invention can be used for the amplification of desired nucleic acids and the effective removal of undesired nucleic acids from a population.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and kits for generating or analyzing nucleic acid populations or desired nucleic acid sequences based upon replication or amplification reactions. The invention comprises methods employing adaptors ligated to nucleic acids that preferentially permit replication or amplification of desired nucleic acid sequences or preferentially eliminate undesired nucleic acids from replication or amplification. The invention also comprises adaptors useful in the methods and in kits for replicating or amplifying nucleic acids. In one embodiment, the adaptors function to protect desired nucleic acids from cleavage by a restriction enzyme while other nucleic acids are cleaved. The protected, desired nucleic acids can then be preferentially replicated or amplified. Accordingly, the invention can be used for the amplification of desired nucleic acids and the effective removal of undesired nucleic acids from a population.

Abstract: A rapid method for generating a set of discrete DNA amplification products characteristic of a genome as a "fingerprint" comprises the steps of: priming target nucleic acid of a genome with an single-stranded primer to form primed nucleic acid such that a substantial degree of internal-mismatching occurs between the primer and the target nucleic acid; amplifying the primed nucleic acid by performing at least one cycle of polymerase chain reaction amplification; and amplifying the product of step (2) by performing at least about 10 cycles of polymerase chain reaction amplification. The method is known as the arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR) method and is suitable for the identification of bacterial species and strains, including Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species, mammals and plants.

Abstract: An oligonucleotide library is described that is1 useful for producing an oligonucleotide of preselected sequence comprising a plurality of oligonucleotide members comprising one or more oligonucleotide species and having the compositional formula (X).sub.a (N).sub.b ; wherein X represents a non-degenerate nucleotide base and N represents a degenerate nucleotide base; "a" represents the number of non-degenerate nucleotide positions and is from 3 to 8; "b" represents the number of degenerate nucleotide positions and is from 0 to 4 but not greater that "a"; and wherein each of the oligonucleotide species is capable of forming a hybridization complex with at least one other of the oligonucleotide species in the library such that a single ligation event of the hybridization complex with another hybridization complex derived from the library produces a ligation reaction product comprising greater than 12 contiguous nucleotide base pairs.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is to provide methods for the storage of electrophoresis gels, particularly, electrophoresis gels adapted for polynucleotide sequencing. The invention provides numerous methods of preparing a packaged electrophoresis gel or gel assembly. The subject methods include the steps of inserting an electrophoresis gel or gel assembly into the interior chamber of a storage container, removing air from the interior chamber, and hermetically sealing the storage container so as to provide a sealed package containing an electrophoresis gel in a reduced atmospheric environment. Preferably, the interior chamber is flushed with an inert gas prior to the sealing process. Another aspect of the invention is to provide packaged electrophoresis gels. The packaged electrophoresis gels include a hermetically sealed storage container having an interior chamber. The interior chamber contains a gel or gel assembly suitable for electrophoresis.

Abstract: An assay for monitoring and assessing the mutagenic potential of agents which involves creating transgenic non-human animals carrying a test DNA sequence or sequences that can be quickly recovered and examined for mutations following exposure to one or more suspected mutagenic agents.

Abstract: A method of irradiating a biological specimen with ultraviolet, in particular a polynucleotide specimen selected from DNA or RNA, or optionally a protein. In the case where the specimen is DNA or RNA, or potentially proteins, the specimen is irradiated to cross-link the specimen to a substrate. In the case where the specimen is DNA, the specimen can also be irradiated to form thymine dimers. The method uses an apparatus which permits relatively precise control of the total ultraviolet dose received by the specimen, despite any changes of ultraviolet flux from the lamps which may occur from during any one experiment, or between a number of experiments. Thus, the method allows relatively highly reproducible results to be obtained.

Abstract: A method of producing libraries of genes encoding antigen-combining molecules or antibodies; a method of producing antigen-combining molecules which does not require an in vivo procedure; a method of obtaining antigen-combining molecules of selected specificity which does not require an in vivo procedure; vectors useful in the present method; and antigen-combining molecules produced by the method. The antigen-combining molecules are useful for the detection, quantitation, purification and neutralization of antigens, as well as for diagnostic, therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.

Abstract: A library of oligonucleotides is described comprising a plurality of different oligonucleotides each in separate containers. The oligonucleotides are typically of the same length of from about 5 to 10 nucleotides in length, and each oligonucleotide in the library has the same nucleotide sequence of from 1 to 3 nucleotides in length at the 5' terminus of all the oligonucleotides in the library. In addition methods are described for using the oligonucleotide library for producing oligonucleotides of preselected nucleotide sequence for use in DNA sequencing and primer extension reactions.

Abstract: A composition comprising a family of oligonucleotides all of the same length, said family defined by a nucleotide sequence formula containing six to eight nucleotide positions, one to three of said positions of the formula identifying positions of nucleotide variation among the family members, the remaining nucleotide positions each identifying a nucleotide that is the same in all members of the family.

Abstract: An assay for monitoring and assessing the mutagenic potential of agents which involves creating transgenic non-human animals carrying a test DNA-sequence or sequences that can be quickly recovered and examined for mutations following exposure to one or more suspected mutagenic agents.