Abstract: Polyelectrolyte nanoparticle compositions for biomedical applications are provided comprising at least two carrier domains comprising multivalent ionic domains and an agent exhibiting biological activity when contained within the nanoparticle or on the nanoparticle surface. The multivalent ionic domains may be contained in two separate molecules or in separate but linked domains of a single molecule. The nanoparticle optionally can further comprise an exposed targeting ligand and/or protective surface. The nanoparticle can be contacted to cells or administered directly to an animal for biomedical applications including therapeutics and immune response. The nanoparticle may alternatively be comprised of a carrier material capable of delivering various medically important antigens as vaccine.

Abstract: Polyelectrolyte nanoparticle compositions for biomedical applications are provided comprising at least two carrier domains comprising multivalent ionic domains and an agent exhibiting biological activity when contained within the nanoparticle or on the nanoparticle surface. The multivalent ionic domains may be contained in two separate molecules or in separate but linked domains of a single molecule. The nanoparticle optionally can further comprise an exposed targeting ligand and/or protective surface. The nanoparticle can be contacted to cells or administered directly to an animal for biomedical applications including therapeutics and immune response. The nanoparticle may alternatively be comprised of a carrier material capable of delivering various medically important antigens as vaccine.

Abstract: Biomedical nanoparticles are disclosed based on new engineered modular carrier macromolecules, on engineered macromolecules or associated entities providing an internal nanoparticle structure, and compositions for minimizing non-specific binding of the nanoparticles while enabling efficient and convenient targeting to cells and tissues. These nanoparticles may be used to deliver atomic or molecular or associated entities which are useful for diagnostics, primarily in vivo imaging, for therapeutics, for vaccines, or for experimental research. Nanoparticles comprising combinations of active entities such as gene inhibitors with gene expression cassettes or imaging agents with therapeutic agents, and polyamide compounds useful for treatment of microbial infections are also disclosed.

Abstract: Polyelectrolyte nanoparticle compositions for biomedical applications are provided comprising at least two carrier domains comprising multivalent ionic domains and an agent exhibiting biological activity when contained within the nanoparticle or on the nanoparticle surface. The multivalent ionic domains may be contained in two separate molecules or in separate but linked domains of a single molecule. The nanoparticle optionally can further comprise an exposed targeting ligand and/or protective surface. The nanoparticle can be contacted to cells or administered directly to an animal for biomedical applications including therapeutics and immune response. The nanoparticle may alternatively be comprised of a carrier material capable of delivering various medically important antigens as vaccine.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of incorporating an exo-sample nucleotide into the amplified product strands resulting from a nucleic acid amplification process. Once the product strands have been obtained and analyzed (e.g., by hybridization, Southern blot, etc.), the exo-sample strands can be selectively destroyed by acting on the incorporated exo-sample nucleotide. Two embodiments are presented. In a first embodiment, the exo-sample nucleotide is incorporated by carrying out the amplification to reaction in the presence of an excess of exo-sample nucleotide tri-phosphate. In a second embodiment, the exo-sample nucleotide is incorporated by carrying out the amplification reaction in the presence of an oligonucleotide which has, as part of its sequence, one or more exo-sample nucleotides.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed that provide for the preservation of living human and other cells at room temperature or higher temperatures which can be applied to research, medical and defense applications. These methods represent a significant improvement relative to currently used methods that employ preservation at cryogenic temperatures. Using these methods, living human and other cells can be stored at room temperature or higher, and subsequently be recovered as living cells capable of dividing and exhibiting other well recognized properties of living cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for performing a large number of reactions using array assembly. In particular, the present invention features a method and apparatus for performing a large number of chemical and biological reactions by bringing two arrays into close apposition and allowing reactants on the surfaces of two arrays to come into contact. The present invention is exemplified by performing a large number of polynucleotide amplification reactions using array assembly. In addition, the present invention features a method and apparatus for coupling the amplification of polynucleotides and the detection of sequence variations, expression levels, and functions thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for performing a large number of reactions using array assembly. In particular, the present invention features a method and apparatus for performing a large number of chemical and biological reactions by bringing two arrays into close apposition and allowing reactants on the surfaces of two arrays to come into contact. The present invention is exemplified by performing a large number of polynucleotide amplification reactions using array assembly. In addition, the present invention features a method and apparatus for coupling the amplification of polynucleotides and the detection of sequence variations, expression levels, and functions thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of incorporating an exo-sample nucleotide into the amplified product strands resulting from a nucleic acid amplification process. Once the product strands have been obtained and analyzed (e.g., by hybridization, Southern blot, etc.), the exo-sample strands can be selectively destroyed by acting on the incorporated exo-sample nucleotide.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of incorporating an exo-sample nucleotide into the amplified product strands resulting from a nucleic acid amplification process. Once the product strands have been obtained and analyzed (e.g., by hybridization, Southern blot, etc.), the exo-sample strands can be selectively destroyed by acting on the incorporated exo-sample nucleotide.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of incorporating an exo-sample nucleotide into the amplified product strands resulting from a nucleic acid amplification process. Once the product strands have been obtained and analyzed (e.g., by hybridization, Southern blot, etc.), the exo-sample strands can be selectively destroyed by acting on the incorporated exo-sample nucleotide. Two embodiments are presented. In a first embodiment, the exo-sample nucleotide is incorporated by carrying out the amplification reaction in the presence of an excess of exo-sample nucleotide triphosphate. In a second embodiment, the exo-sample nucleotide is incorporated by carrying out the amplification reaction in the presence of an oligonucleotide which has, as part of its sequence, one or more exo-sample nucleotides.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of incorporating an exo-sample nucleotide into the amplified product strands resulting from a nucleic acid amplification process. Once the product strands have been obtained and analyzed (e.g., by hybridization, Southern blot, etc.), the exo-sample strands can be selectively destroyed by acting on the incorporated exo-sample nucleotide.Two embodiments are presented. In a first embodiment, the exo-sample nucleotide is incorporated by carrying out the amplification reaction in the presence of an excess of exo-sample nucleotide triphosphate.In a second embodiment, the exo-sample nucleotide is incorporated by carrying out the amplification reaction in the presence of an oligonucleotide which has, as part of its sequence, one or more exo-sample nucleotides.

Abstract: An apparatus for casting an agarose gel and for conducting an electrophoresis process is disclosed. An electrophoresis tank supports a gel casting deck having open ends which are sealed by wedge dams to form a cavity for containing the molten agarose as it gels. The wedge dams are pulled downward by gravity into wedge-shaped slots. The weight of the wedge dams in the wedge slots presses the wedge dams against the open ends of the gel casting deck so as to provide a substantially fluid-tight seal. The gel casting deck has sidewalls which are slanted toward one another so that when the gel is submerged in buffer solution during electrophoresis, the gel's tendency to float is substantially impeded. The combs which form wells in the gel are referenced to the side of the gel casting deck itself so as to ensure uniformity and accuracy of well depth. Safety features prevent the electrophoresis tank from functioning if removed from its protective housing.