Abstract: Compositions that are used in nucleic acid amplification in vitro are disclosed, which include a target specific universal (TSU) promoter primer or promoter provider oligonucleotide that includes a target specific (TS) sequence that hybridizes specifically to a target sequence that is amplified and a universal (U) sequence that is introduced into the sequence that is amplified, by using a primer for the universal sequence. Methods of nucleic acid amplification in vitro are disclosed that use one or more TSU oligonucleotides to attached a U sequence to a target nucleic acid in a target capture step and then use a primer for a U sequence in subsequent amplification steps performed in substantially isothermal conditions to make amplification products that contain a U sequence that indicates the presence of the target nucleic acid in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid amplification systems and methods that desirably reduce or eliminate false positive amplification signals resulting from contaminating biological material, e.g., nucleic acid, that may be present in one or more reagents used in an amplification reaction and/or that may be present in the environment in which an amplification reaction is performed. The invention offers the further advantage of requiring less stringent purification and/or sterility efforts than conventionally needed in order to ensure that enzymes and other reagents used in amplification reactions, and the environment in which an amplification reaction is performed, are free of bacterial or other nucleic acid contamination that may yield false positive results.

Abstract: Compositions that are used in nucleic acid amplification in vitro are disclosed, which include a target specific universal (TSU) promoter primer or promoter provider oligonucleotide that includes a target specific (TS) sequence that hybridizes specifically to a target sequence that is amplified and a universal (U) sequence that is introduced into the sequence that is amplified, by using a primer for the universal sequence. Methods of nucleic acid amplification in vitro are disclosed that use one or more TSU oligonucleotides to attached a U sequence to a target nucleic acid in a target capture step and then use a primer for a U sequence in subsequent amplification steps performed in substantially isothermal conditions to make amplification products that contain a U sequence that indicates the presence of the target nucleic acid in a sample.

Abstract: Compositions, reaction mixtures, and methods for performing an amplification reaction, including multiplex amplification reaction, wherein the method comprises using one or more amplification oligomer complexes comprising linked first and second amplification oligomer members. In one aspect, the amplification oligomer complex is hybridized to a target nucleic acid, the target nucleic acid with hybridized amplification oligomer complex is then captured, and other components are washed away. Target sequences of the target nucleic acids are pre-amplified to generate a first amplification product. The first amplification product is amplified in one or more secondary amplification reactions to generate second amplification products.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid amplification systems and methods that desirably reduce or eliminate false positive amplification signals resulting from contaminating biological material, e.g., nucleic acid, that may be present in one or more reagents used in an amplification reaction and/or that may be present in the environment in which an amplification reaction is performed. The invention offers the further advantage of requiring less stringent purification and/or sterility efforts than conventionally needed in order to ensure that enzymes and other reagents used in amplification reactions, and the environment in which an amplification reaction is performed, are free of bacterial or other nucleic acid contamination that may yield false positive results.

Abstract: A method for the selective amplification of a target sequence. The method includes hybridizing a tagged oligonucleotide to the target sequence and reducing the effective concentration of unhybridized tagged oligonucleotide which is capable of hybridizing to the target sequence. The tagged oligonucleotide includes a target hybridizing sequence and a tag sequence situated 5? to target hybridizing sequence, where the tag sequence does not stably hybridize to a target nucleic acid containing the target sequence. A blocker oligonucleotide is provided which is designed to hybridize to a region of a nucleic acid containing the target sequence, where the region targeted by the blocker oligonucleotide is 3? to the target sequence. Amplification products are formed using first and second oligonucleotides. The first oligonucleotide hybridizes to the 3?-end of the complement of the target sequence, and the second oligonucleotide hybridizes to the complement of the tag sequence.

Abstract: Kits, reaction mixtures and methods for separating a target nucleic acid from a sample by using at least one hairpin capture probe oligonucleotide that has the structure 5?-X.sub.n a? b? c? Y.sub.n-3?, wherein X and Y each comprise nucleic acid sequences that can form a double stranded stem portion, one of X or Y is a capture sequence that is a first member of a specific binding pair and the other of X or Y is a terminal sequence of the hairpin capture probe, and a? b? c? comprises a target-complementary sequence flanked by X and Y to thereby form a loop portion of the hairpin, thus forming a capture hybrid that is separated from other sample components before the target nucleic acid is released from the capture support and hybridized to a detection probe that hybridizes specifically to the same sequence that is at least partially hybridized by the a? b? c? portion of the capture probe, thus forming a detectable detection hybrid to indicate the presence of the target nucleic acid in the sample.

Abstract: The invention provides chimeric capture probes immobilizable via an L-nucleic acid tail that can bind to a complementary L-nucleic acid in an immobilized probe. The capture probes are useful for capturing a target nucleic acid from a sample. The L-nucleic acid in the tail of the capture probe bind to the complementary L-nucleic acid in the immobilized probe with similar affinity as would otherwise equivalent D-nucleic acids. However, the L-nucleic acid of the capture probe tail and immobilized probes do not form stable duplexes with D-nucleic acids present in the sample containing the target nucleic acid. Binding of nucleic acids in the sample directly to immobilized probe or to the tail of the capture probe is reduced or eliminated increasing the sensitivity and/or specificity of the assay.

Abstract: Compositions, reaction mixtures, and methods for performing an amplification reaction, including multiplex amplification reaction, wherein the method comprises using one or more amplification oligomer complexes comprising linked first and second amplification oligomer members. In one aspect, the amplification oligomer complex is hybridized to a target nucleic acid, the target nucleic acid with hybridized amplification oligomer complex is then captured, and other components are washed away. Target sequences of the target nucleic acids are pre-amplified to generate a first amplification product. The first amplification product is amplified in one or more secondary amplification reactions to generate second amplification products.

Abstract: Methods for capturing a target nucleic acid from a sample by using a capture probe that binds nonspecifically to the target nucleic acid and binds specifically to an immobilized probe via a specific binding pair that has one member on the capture probe and one member on the immobilized probe are disclosed. Compositions that include a capture probe that binds nonspecifically to a target nucleic acid and specifically to an immobilized probe via binding of members of a specific binding pair in a solution phase of a reaction mixture are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of the invention separate a target nucleic acid from a sample by using at least one capture probe oligonucleotide that contains a target-complementary region and a member of a specific binding pair that attaches the target nucleic acid to an immobilized probe on a capture support, thus forming a capture hybrid that is separated from other sample components before the target nucleic acid is released from the capture support and hybridized to a detection probe to form a detection hybrid that produces a detectable signal that indicates the presence of the target nucleic acid in the sample. Compositions for practicing the methods of the invention include a capture probe oligonucleotide made up a target-complementary region sequence and a covalently linked capture region sequence that includes a member of a specific binding pair.

Abstract: Method of processing a biological sample to yield nucleic acid appropriate for use in a subsequent in vitro nucleic acid amplification reaction. The method involves a rapid, transient exposure to alkaline conditions which can be achieved by mixing an alkaline solution with a pH-buffered solution that includes a detergent and the biological sample to be tested for the presence of particular nucleic acid species using in vitro amplification. The invented method advantageously can improve detection of some target nucleic acids without substantially compromising detectability of others. The method is particularly useful for simultaneously preparing RNA and DNA templates that can be used in multiplex amplification reactions.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid amplification systems and methods that desirably reduce or eliminate false positive amplification signals resulting from contaminating biological material, e.g., nucleic acid, that may be present in one or more reagents used in an amplification reaction and/or that may be present in the environment in which an amplification reaction is performed. The invention offers the further advantage of requiring less stringent purification and/or sterility efforts than conventionally needed in order to ensure that enzymes and other reagents used in amplification reactions, and the environment in which an amplification reaction is performed, are free of bacterial or other nucleic acid contamination that may yield false positive results.

Abstract: The present invention provides kits containing tagged oligonucleotides for use in certain nucleic acid amplification methods to desirably reduce or eliminate false positive amplification signals resulting from contaminating biological material, e.g., nucleic acid, that may be present in one or more reagents used in an amplification reaction and/or that may be present in the environment in which an amplification reaction is performed. The kits containing tagged oligonucleotides can be used in purification and/or sterility efforts under less stringent conditions than conventionally needed to reduce or eliminate false positive results in a nucleic acid amplification method.

Abstract: Kits, reaction mixtures and methods for separating a target nucleic acid from a sample by using at least one hairpin capture probe oligonucleotide that has the structure 5?-X.sub.n a? b? c? Y.sub.n-3?, wherein X and Y each comprise nucleic acid sequences that can form a double stranded stem portion, one of X or Y is a capture sequence that is a first member of a specific binding pair and the other of X or Y is a terminal sequence of the hairpin capture probe, and a? b? c? comprises a target-complementary sequence flanked by X and Y to thereby form a loop portion of the hairpin, thus forming a capture hybrid that is separated from other sample components before the target nucleic acid is released from the capture support and hybridized to a detection probe that hybridizes specifically to the same sequence that is at least partially hybridized by the a? b? c? portion of the capture probe, thus forming a detectable detection hybrid to indicate the presence of the target nucleic acid in the sample.

Abstract: Compositions, reaction mixtures, and methods for performing an amplification reaction, including multiplex amplification reaction, wherein the method comprises using one or more amplification oligomer complexes comprising linked first and second amplification oligomer members. In one aspect, the amplification oligomer complex is hybridized to a target nucleic acid, the target nucleic acid with hybridized amplification oligomer complex is then captured, and other components are washed away. Target sequences of the target nucleic acids are pre-amplified to generate a first amplification product. The first amplification product is amplified in one or more secondary amplification reactions to generate second amplification products.

Abstract: Kits for amplifying DNA which include a priming oligonucleotide that hybridizes to a 3?-end of a DNA target sequence, a displacer oligonucleotide that hybridizes to a target nucleic acid containing the DNA target sequence at a position upstream from the priming oligonucleotide, and a promoter oligonucleotide that includes a region that hybridizes to a 3?-region of a DNA primer extension product that includes the priming oligonucleotide and a promoter for an RNA polymerase. The priming oligonucleotide does not include an RNA region that hybridizes to the target nucleic acid and is selectively degraded by an enzyme activity when hybridized to the target nucleic acid. The kits do not include a restriction endonuclease and oligonucleotides that include a promoter for an RNA polymerase are all modified to prevent the initiation of DNA synthesis therefrom.

Abstract: Method of processing a biological sample to yield nucleic acid appropriate for use in a subsequent in vitro nucleic acid amplification reaction. The method involves a rapid, transient exposure to alkaline conditions which can be achieved by mixing an alkaline solution with a pH-buffered solution that includes a detergent and the biological sample to be tested for the presence of particular nucleic acid species using in vitro amplification. The invented method advantageously can improve detection of some target nucleic acids without substantially compromising detectability of others. The method is particularly useful for simultaneously preparing RNA and DNA templates that can be used in multiplex amplification reactions.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid amplification methods that desirably reduce or eliminate false positive amplification signals resulting from contaminating biological material, e.g., nucleic acid, that may be present in one or more reagents used in an amplification reaction and/or that may be present in the environment in which an amplification reaction is performed. The invention offers the further advantage of requiring less stringent purification and/or sterility efforts than conventionally needed in order to ensure that enzymes and other reagents used in amplification reactions, and the environment in which an amplification reaction is performed, are free of bacterial or other nucleic acid contamination that may yield false positive results.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid amplification methods that desirably reduce or eliminate false positive amplification signals resulting from contaminating biological material, e.g., nucleic acid, that may be present in one or more reagents used in an amplification reaction and/or that may be present in the environment in which an amplification reaction is performed. The invention offers the further advantage of requiring less stringent purification and/or sterility efforts than conventionally needed in order to ensure that enzymes and other reagents used in amplification reactions, and the environment in which an amplification reaction is performed, are free of bacterial or other nucleic acid contamination that may yield false positive results.