Abstract: Methods, apparatus and compositions are presented for ligating ligands together which bind to a common receptor. One embodiment includes polynucleotide probes having photoreactive functional groups. The probes are capable of assuming substantially contiguous reactive positions on a target polynucleotide placing the photoreactive group in juxtaposition. Activation of the photoreactive functional groups with radiant energy form a probe reaction product in which the probes are bound to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for linking a detectable label to a nucleic acid by (1) providing a nucleic acid bound to a solid support, the nucleic acid having a cytidine base; (2) transaminating the cytidine base with a reactive group to form a covalent linkage between the cytidine base and the reactive group; and (3) linking a detectable label to the reactive group. The invention also includes compositions containing a labeled nucleic acid produced by the methods of the invention immobilized on a solid support, and a kit containing a solid support, a bisulfite, a reactive group, and a detectable label.

Abstract: A torque machine, for making or breaking screw-threaded joints between lengths of pipe, includes a rotatable head having an aperture into which a length of pipe is introduced, the rotatable head including a number of tongs which are spaced apart around the aperture and can be moved inwardly to grip the length of pipe. A separate jaw collar is provided for location between the tongs and the pipe, the collar comprising a number of part-annular sectors which are connected by springs or elastic links so that the collar is expansible to accommodate slight variations in pipe diameter. Collars of different internal diameters are used according to the diameter of the pipes to be joined. The collar may be of aluminium or other comparatively soft material to avoid marking of the pipes.

Abstract: A method for the detection of a target polynucleotide sequence wherein the target polynucleotide sequence is used as a template to direct hybridization of first and second polynucleotide probes to contiguous portions of the target. The hybridized probes are then ligated, preferably by covalent linkage of photoreactive functional groups present on each of the probes, to produce a ligated reaction product. The ligated reaction product is then multiplied with a polymerase such as Q-beta replicase to produce an enzyme reaction product which is then detected. The presence of the enzyme reaction product is indicative of the presence of the target polynucleotide sequence.

Abstract: This invention discloses methods and compounds for covalently linking xanthine or lower alkyl substituted derivatives of xanthine to DNA and the resulting xanthine or lower alkyl substituted xanthine derivative labeled DNA reagents. Reagents for the in situ detection of a chromosome or a region of a chromosome are disclosed. These reagents include a multiplicity of DNA sequences that are complementary to different portions of the chromosome or chromosome region to be detected. Multiple xanthine or lower alkyl substituted xanthine derivative labels are covalently linked to the DNA sequences. These xanthine or lower alkyl substituted xanthine derivative labeled reagents are contacted under hybridizing conditions with the chromosome or chromosome region of interest. Any binding of the reagent with the chromosome or chromosome region of interest may then be detected by immunological techniques.

Abstract: Techniques for producing cloned DNA sequences are provided which sequences are complementary to DNA occurring in one selected region of one chromosome of a multi-chromosomal genome, such as the human genome. Such cloned DNA sequences can be labeled and formed into probes by conventional procedures, there are provided methods for making probe compositions which comprise mixed DNA segments derived from such a DNA sequence. An improved DNA sequence transamination procedure is provided utilizing trifluoroacetate chaotrope anions. With high concentrations of low complexity DNA, high levels of transamination are thereby achieved. These segments are covalently bound to fluorophore groups through linking groups that are transaminated preferably chaotropically into the segments.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and compositions are presented for ligating ligands together which bind to a common target. One embodiment includes polynucleotide probes having photoreactive functional groups. The probes are capable of assuming substantially contiguous reactive positions on a target polynucleotide placing the photoreactive groups in juxtaposition. Activation of the photoreactive functional groups with radiant energy form a probe reaction product in which the probes are bound to each other.

Abstract: This invention discloses methods and compounds for covalently linking nitro-, dinitro- and trinitrophenyl to DNA and the resulting nitro-, dinitro-, and trinitrophenyl labeled DNA reagents. Reagents for the in situ detection of a chromosome or a region of a chromosome are disclosed. These reagents include a multiplicity of DNA sequences that are complementary to different portions of the chromosome or chromosome region to be detected. Multiple nitro-, dinitro- or trinitrophenyl labels are covalently linked to the DNA sequences by means of an amino acid linking group. These labeled reagents are contacted under hybridizing conditions with the chromosome or chromosome region of interest. Any binding of the reagent with the chromosome or chromosome region of interest may then be detected by immunological techniques.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and compositions are presented for ligating ligands together which bind to a common target. One embodiment includes polynucleotide probes having photoreactive functional groups. The probes are capable of assuming substantially contiguous reactive positions on a target polynucleotide placing the photoreactive groups in juxtaposition. Activation of the photoreactive functional groups with radiant energy form a probe reaction product in which the probes are bound to each other.

Abstract: The present invention includes nucleotide compositions having linking groups and the use and manner of making the nucleotide compositions. The nucleotide compositions are used to attach nonisotopic label moieties to nucleic acid probes.

Abstract: This invention encompasses diagnostic reagents comprising a polynucleic acid probe having a specific binding sequence and having one or more cytidines outside of the specific binding sequence. The polynucleic acid probe is bound to an amino functionalized solid support by a bisulfite mediated transamination between a cytidine and an amino group on the solid support. When the specific binding sequence contains cytidine, the cytidine is replaced with 5-methylcytidine which has essentially the same binding capacity and yet does not participate in transamination reactions. The invention encompasses compositions of the polynucleic acid probe as well as test kits including the above identified reagent and assays utilizing the above reagent. This invention is useful in detecting viruses, fungi and bacteria in test samples such as body fluids and food samples as well as detecting DNA or RNA sequences in mammalian cells.