Abstract: The present invention describes compositions and methods for releasing nucleic acids from cells in a form that is suitable for labeling/capture, amplification, or detection in a single reagent addition step. The compositions include a lipid, membrane fluidizing compound, enzyme for degrading cell structure, metal chelators, or one or more nucleic acid probes or primers complementary to the nucleic acid to be detected. The compositions are non-denaturing and non-inhibitory of enzymes or proteins that are used in nucleic acid release, amplification, labeling or detection. The invention also provides kits for performing the above methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for analyzing nucleic acids. In particular, the invention provides for methods and combinations for analyzing nucleic acids in a plurality of samples using a plurality of detectably different signature labels and a probe that is hybridizable to each of the target nucleic acids. The invention also provides for a method for quantifying a nucleic acid by analyzing the amount of a label, e.g., a photoactivatable label, attached to the target nucleic acid.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to nucleic acid hybridization analysis. More specifically, oligonucleotide probes containing hairpin structures, or arrays of such oligonucleotide probes immobilized on a solid support, that are suitable for hybridization analysis are provided. Methods for nucleic acid hybridization analysis using the probes or array of immobilized probes are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of amplifying nucleic acids to minimize contamination by products of earlier amplification reactions. More particularly, it relates to methods of using nucleic acid labels that inhibit further amplification of the amplicon, and compositions that are useful to accomplish this task. In particular, the present invention relates to photoreactive complexes of a binding ligand, a binding enhancer and a label.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cocktail of reagents for nucleic acid amplification that are stabilized by inclusion of a reversible inhibitor of undesirable reactions. Such cocktail of reagents eliminates the requirement for separate preparation and quality control of each reagent used in a reaction. Methods to prepare stabilized cocktails and to use stabilized cocktails also are included. The stabilized cocktail compositions also can include reagents to release nucleic acid from cells and to label the nucleic acid, allowing detection of nucleic acid in a sample with a single reagent addition step. The invention also provides kits for performing the above methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cocktail of reagents for nucleic acid amplification that are stabilized by inclusion of a reversible inhibitor of undesirable reactions. Such cocktail of reagents eliminates the requirement for separate preparation and quality control of each reagent used in a reaction. Methods to prepare stabilized cocktails and to use stabilized cocktails also are included. The stabilized cocktail compositions also can include reagents to release nucleic acid from cells and to label the nucleic acid, allowing detection of nucleic acid in a sample with a single reagent addition step. The invention also provides kits for performing the above methods.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to nucleic acid hybridization analysis. More specifically, oligonucleotide probes containing hairpin structures, or arrays of such oligonucleotide probes immobilized on a solid support, that are suitable for hybridization analysis are provided. Methods for nucleic acid hybridization analysis using the probes or array of immobilized probes are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention describes compositions and methods for releasing nucleic acids from cells in a form that is suitable for labeling/capture, amplification, or detection in a single reagent addition step. The compositions include a lipid, membrane fluidizing compound, enzyme for degrading cell structure, metal chelators, or one or more nucleic acid probes or primers complementary to the nucleic acid to be detected. The compositions are non-denaturing and non-inhibitory of enzymes or proteins that are used in nucleic acid release, amplification, labeling or detection. The invention also provides kits for performing the above methods.

Abstract: The present invention describes compositions and methods for releasing nucleic acids from cells in a form that is suitable for labeling/capture, amplification, or detection in a single reagent addition step. The compositions include a lipid, membrane fluidizing compound, enzyme for degrading cell structure, metal chelators, or one or more nucleic acid probes or primers complementary to the nucleic acid to be detected. The compositions are non-denaturing and non-inhibitory of enzymes or proteins that are used in nucleic acid release, amplification, labeling or detection. The invention also provides kits for performing the above methods.

Abstract: Methods for amplifying target nucleic acid sequences using a nucleic acid polymerase lacking 5′ exonuclease activity and a set of oligonucleotide primers. Preferably, a primer array is used. The primer array contains two sets of primers. One set contains at least two complementary primers. The other set contains at least two sense primers. Using the described methods amplification can be carried out under essentially constant environmental conditions without the requirement for exonuclease activity or restriction endonuclease activity.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of amplifying nucleic acids to minimize contamination by products of earlier amplification reactions. More particularly, it relates to methods of using nucleic acid labels that inhibit further amplification of the amplicon, and compositions that are useful to accomplish this task. In particular, the present invention relates to photoreactive complexes of a binding ligand, a binding enhancer and a label.

Abstract: Methods for amplifying target nucleic acid sequences using a nucleic acid polymerase lacking 5' exonuclease activity and a set of oligonucleotide primers. Preferably, a primer array is used. The primer array contains two sets of primers. One set contains at least two complementary primers. The other set contains at least two sense primers. Using the described methods amplification can be carried out under essentially constant environmental conditions without the requirement for exonuclease activity or restriction endonuclease activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating disease-associated cellular proliferation using oligonucleotides. In particular, it relates to the use of oligonulceotides which are substantially complementary to interleukin-6 receptor mRNA sequences. In the form of pharmaceutical compositions, these oligonucleotides are suitable for administration to human subjects for the treatment of abnormal cellular proliferation due to such diseases as cancer, autoimmune disorders and viral infection.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods of synthesizing oligonucleotides. In particular, it relates to methods of enzymatically synthesizing chirally pure oligonucleotides using templates which can be digested after synthesis. By using digestible templates, separation and purification of the synthesized oligonucleotides are greatly facilitated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of enzymatically synthesizing oligonucleotides. In particular, it relates to the use of 3'-ribonucleotide primers which effectively serve to initiate oligonucleotide synthesis, and can also be easily cleaved from synthesis products and reused in subsequent synthesis reactions.

Abstract: A method, composition and kit for amplifying a target nucleic acid sequence under conditions of substantially constant temperature, ionic strength, and pH and using only a single promoter-primer. To effect the amplification, a supply of a single promoter-primer having a promoter and a primer complementary to the 3'-end of the target sequence, and a reverse transcriptase and an RNA polymerase are provided to a mixture including the target sequence; the amplification proceeds accordingly. The invention is useful for generating copies of a nucleic acid target sequence for purposes that include assays to quantitate specific nucleic acid sequences in clinical, environmental, forensic and similar samples, cloning and generating probes.

Abstract: The invention features the use of a purified first targeted oligonucleotide in combination with either 1) a subtargeted oligonucleotide, 2) second targeted oligonucleotide, or 3) a non-targeted phosphorothioate oligonucleotide, to inhibit protein production of a targeted nucleic acid sequence, cell proliferation, and/or the multiplication of a foreign organism. The subtargeted oligonucleotide contains a truncated version of the targeted oligonucleotide.

Abstract: Lipid molecules bearing a cationic charge are described. These cationic lipids are useful in the delivery of biomolecules, such as oligonucleotides, nucleic acids, peptides, diagnostic imaging agents, proteins and drug molecules. In the form of liposomes, they can effectively be used for the intracellular delivery of biomolecules for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: A method for amplification of a nucleic acid strand in a test sample. The method includes contacting the nucleic acid strand from the test sample simultaneously with at least three oligonucleotide primers. At least one primer is a promoter-primer, and at least one other primer is complementary to the nucleic acid strand, and one other primer is complementary to a strand complementary to the nucleic acid strand. The method further includes contacting the nucleic acid strand and primers with one or more proteins having RNA-directed and/or DNA-directed DNA polymerase activities, an RNA polymerase activity, and an RNAse H activity under primer-extension conditions to allow amplification of a target region in the nucleic acid strand at essentially constant temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oligonucleotides which are effective inhibitors of disease-associated cellular proliferation. In particular, it relates to the use of oligonulceotides which are substantially complementary to gp130 mRNA sequences. In the form of pharmaceutical compositions, these oligonucleotides are suitable for administration to human subjects for the treatment of abnormal cellular proliferation due to such diseases as cancer, autoimmune disorders and viral infection.