Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining sequence similarity (conserved sequences) between nucleic acids from a first organism and nucleic acids from a second, different organism without having to know a priori the nucleic acid sequence from the second, different organism. The first nucleic acid can be from any organism where the sequence of the nucleic acid is known and the second nucleic acid can be from any organism. The method involves determining which bases from the second nucleic acid are identical to the first nucleic acid, and allows one to determine the sequence of portions of the second nucleic acid. The invention is useful for identifying putative functional regions or putative organism-sequences in a genome.

Abstract: The invention provides several methods for reducing the complexity of a population of nucleic acids prior to performing an analysis of the nucleic acids on a nucleic acid probe array. The methods result in a subset of the initial population enriched for a desired property, or lacking nucleic acids having an undesired property. The resulting nucleic acids in the subset are then applied to the array for various types of analysis. The methods are particularly useful for analyzing populations having a high degree of complexity, for example, chromosomal-derived DNA, or whole genomic DNA, or mRNA population. In addition, such methods allow for analysis of pooled samples.

Abstract: The invention provides several methods of reducing the complexity of a population of nucleic acids prior to performing an analysis of the nucleic acids on a nucleic acid probe array. The methods result in a subset of the initial population enriched for a desired property, or lacking nucleic acids with an undesired property. The resulting nucleic acids in the subset are then applied to the array for various types of analysis. The methods are particularly useful for analyzing populations having a high degree of complexity, for example, populations of fragments spanning a human chromosome, or even a whole human genome, or mRNA populations.

Abstract: Methods are provided for monitoring a large number of genes using cipher probes. In preferred embodiments, the cipher probes are immobilized on a substrate to form a universal array that is suitable for monitoring the expression of almost any genes. Mediator probes are used in some embodiments to hybridize with the cipher probes and nucleic acids derived from transcripts of genes.

Abstract: The invention provides several methods for reducing the complexity of a population of nucleic acids prior to performing an analysis of the nucleic acids on a nucleic acid probe array. The methods result in a subset of the initial population enriched for a desired property, or lacking nucleic acids having an undesired property. The resulting nucleic acids in the subset are then applied to the array for various types of analysis. The methods are particularly useful for analyzing populations having a high degree of complexity, for example, chromosomal-derived DNA, or whole genomic DNA, or mRNA population. In addition, such methods allow for analysis of pooled samples.