Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and a method for amplification of nucleic acid sequences of interest. The disclosed method generally involves replication of a complex nucleic acid sample such as genomic samples using one, a few, or more primers such that, during replication, the replicated strands are displaced from the nucleic acid molecules in the sample by strand displacement replication of another replicated strand. It was discovered that highly complex nucleic acid samples can be efficiently amplified using only one or a few primers having specific nucleic acid sequences. The one or few primers are complementary to nucleic acid sequences distributed throughout nucleic acid in the sample.

Abstract: Coalescence of cells or other membrane-bound entities is facilitated by anchoring an outwardly projecting first oligonucleotide in one member and an outwardly projecting second oligonucleotide, complementary to the first, in a second member and incubating under hybridizing conditions. Liposomes may be coalesced with cells to deliver hydrophilic agents thereto, such as DNA probes or drugs. Kits containing complementary oligonucleotides containing hydrophobic anchoring moieties may be used.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and a method for amplification of nucleic acid sequences of interest. The disclosed method generally involves replication of a target sequence such that, during replication, the replicated strands are displaced from the target sequence by strand displacement replication of another replicated strand. In one form of the disclosed method, the target sample is not subjected to denaturing conditions. It was discovered that the target nucleic acids, genomic DNA, for example, need not be denatured for efficient multiple displacement amplification. The primers used can be hexamer primers. The primers can also each contain at least one modified nucleotide such that the primers are nuclease resistant. The primers can also each contain at least one modified nucleotide such that the melting temperature of the primer is altered relative to a primer of the same sequence without the modified nucleotide(s). The DNA polymerase can be ?29 DNA polymerase.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and a method for amplification of nucleic acid sequences of interest. The disclosed method generally involves replication of a target sequence such that, during replication, the replicated strands are displaced from the target sequence by strand displacement replication of another replicated strand. In one form of the disclosed method, the target sample is not subjected to denaturing conditions. It was discovered that the target nucleic acids, genomic DNA, for example, need not be denatured for efficient multiple displacement amplification. The primers used can be hexamer primers. The primers can also each contain at least one modified nucleotide such that the primers are nuclease resistant. The primers can also each contain at least one modified nucleotide such that the melting temperature of the primer is altered relative to a primer of the same sequence without the modified nucleotide(s). The DNA polymerase can be ?29 DNA polymerase.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and a method for amplification of nucleic acid sequences of interest. The disclosed method generally involves replication of a target sequence such that, during replication, the replicated strands are displaced from the target sequence by strand displacement replication of another replicated strand. In one form of the disclosed method, the target sample is not subjected to denaturing conditions. It was discovered that the target nucleic acids, genomic DNA, for example, need not be denatured for efficient multiple displacement amplification. The primers used can be hexamer primers. The primers can also each contain at least one modified nucleotide such that the primers are nuclease resistant. The primers can also each contain at least one modified nucleotide such that the melting temperature of the primer is altered relative to a primer of the same sequence without the modified nucleotide(s). The DNA polymerase can be &phgr;29 DNA polymerase.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and a method for amplification of nucleic acid sequences of interest. The disclosed method generally involves replication of a complex nucleic acid sample such as genomic samples using one, a few, or more primers such that, during replication, the replicated strands are displaced from the nucleic acid molecules in the sample by strand displacement replication of another replicated strand. It was discovered that highly complex nucleic acid samples can be efficiently amplified using only one or a few primers having specific nucleic acid sequences. The one or few primers are complementary to nucleic acid sequences distributed throughout nucleic acid in the sample.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for real-time detection of rolling circle amplification products. Real-time detection is detection that takes place during the amplification reaction or operation. Real-time detection can be accomplished by, for example, using fluorescent change probes and/or primers during amplification. The fluorescent signals can be proportional to the amount of amplification product. The amplification can be multiply-primed rolling circle amplification in which replication of a circular template is primed at a plurality of sites on the circular template. Multiply-primed RCA increases the sensitivity of singly-primed rolling circle amplification. Multiply-primed RCA can be performed using a single primer (which hybridizes to multiple sites on the amplification target circle) or multiple primers (each of which can hybridize to a single site on the amplification target circle or multiple sites on the amplification target circle).

Abstract: Coalescence of cells or other membrane-bound entities is facilitated by anchoring an outwardly projecting first oligonucleotide in one member and an outwardly projecting second oligonucleotide, complementary to the first, in a second member and incubating under hybridizing conditions. Liposomes may be coalesced with cells to deliver hydrophilic agents thereto, such as DNA probes or drugs. Kits containing complementary oligonucleotides containing hydrophobic anchoring moieties may be used.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for reducing or eliminating generation of unwanted, undesirable, or non-specific amplification products in nucleic acid amplification reactions, such as rolling circle amplification. One form of composition is an open circle probe that can form an intramolecular stem structure, such as a hairpin structure, at one or both ends. The stem structure allows the open circle probe to be circularized when hybridized to a legitimate target sequence but results in inactivation of uncircularized open circle probes. This inactivation, which preferably involves stabilization of the stem structure, extension of the end of the open circle probe, or both, reduces or eliminates the ability of the open circle probe to prime nucleic acid synthesis or to serve as a template for rolling circle amplification. The disclosed method is useful for detection, quantitation, and/or location of any desired analyte, such as proteins and peptides.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for nucleic acid amplification reactions that reduce, prevent, or eliminate artifacts; increase efficiency; increase specificity; and/or increase consistency. The disclosed method can combine, for example, the use of open circle probes that can form intramolecular stem structures; the use of matched open circle probe sets in the same amplification reaction; the use of detection primers and detection during the amplification reaction; the use of a plurality of detection rolling circle replication primer, a secondary DNA strand displacement primer and a common rolling circle replication primer in the same amplification reaction; and/or the use of peptide nucleic acid quenchers associated with detection rolling circle replication primers. Such combinations can produce, in the same amplification reaction, the benefits of each of the combined components.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and a method for amplification of nucleic acid sequences of interest. The disclosed method generally involves replication of a target sequence such that, during replication, the replicated strands are displaced from the target sequence by strand displacement replication of another replicated strand. In one form of the disclosed method, the target sample is not subjected to denaturing conditions. It was discovered that the target nucleic acids, genomic DNA, for example, need not be denatured for efficient multiple displacement amplification. The primers used can be hexamer primers. The primers can also each contain at least one modified nucleotide such that the primers are nuclease resistant. The primers can also each contain at least one modified nucleotide such that the melting temperature of the primer is altered relative to a primer of the same sequence without the modified nucleotide(s). The DNA polymerase can be &phgr;29 DNA polymerase.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for reducing or eliminating generation of unwanted, undesirable, or non-specific amplification products in nucleic acid amplification reactions, such as rolling circle amplification. One form of composition is an open circle probe that can form an intramolecular stem structure, such as a hairpin structure, at one or both ends. The stem structure allows the open circle probe to be circularized when hybridized to a legitimate target sequence but results in inactivation of uncircularized open circle probes. This inactivation, which preferably involves stabilization of the stem structure, extension of the end of the open circle probe, or both, reduces or eliminates the ability of the open circle probe to prime nucleic acid synthesis or to serve as a template for rolling circle amplification. The disclosed method is useful for detection, quantitation, and/or location of any desired analyte, such as proteins and peptides.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for reducing or eliminating generation of unwanted, undesirable, or non-specific amplification products in nucleic acid amplification reactions, such as rolling circle amplification. One form of composition is an open circle probe that can form an intramolecular stem structure, such as a hairpin structure, at one or both ends. The stem structure allows the open circle probe to be circularized when hybridized to a legitimate target sequence but results in inactivation of uncircularized open circle probes. This inactivation, which preferably involves stabilization of the stem structure, extension of the end of the open circle probe, or both, reduces or eliminates the ability of the open circle probe to prime nucleic acid synthesis or to serve as a template for rolling circle amplification. The disclosed method is useful for detection, quantitation, and/or location of any desired analyte, such as proteins and peptides.