Abstract: Novel coumarin derivatives comprising a coumarin moiety linked to a non-nucleosidic backbone moiety are disclosed. The resulting molecules are typically used as photoactivate crosslinking groups when incorporated into polynucleotides as replacements for one or more of the complementary nucleoside bases present in probes used in procedures involving nucleic acid hybridization reactions.

Abstract: Improved methods for in situ hybridization assays of cellular and subcellular systems and tissue sections, and immobilization-based assay techniques such as Northern blotting, Southern blotting, dot blots, and the like, and assay techniques wherein the probes are bound to substrates are disclosed. The subject invention employs crosslinker-containing hybridization probes capable of forming covalent bonds between the probe and the target nucleic acid. Upon activation, the crosslinker will, if the probe has hybridized with its essentially complementary target, form covalent bonds with the complementary strand to covalently crosslink the probe to the target. Subsequently, stringent wash conditions may be employed to reduce background signals due to non-specific absorption or probes or targets, while retaining all crosslinked probe/target hybrids. Also disclosed are diagnostic kits for use in clinical and diagnostic laboratories.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting nucleic acid sequences. Probes comprising a crosslinking agent are combined with a sample which may comprise a target sequence which is complementary to the probe. Hybridization is allowed to occur between complementary sequences. The crosslinking agent is activated. Covalent bonds are formed between the probe and the target sequence if they are hybridized to one another. The crosslinked nucleic acids can then be detected to indicate the presence of the target sequence. Also provided are kits comprising reagents.

Abstract: Improved methods for in situ hybridization assays of cellular and subcellular systems and tissue sections, and immobilization-based assay techniques such as Northern blotting, Southern blotting, dot blots, and the like, and assay techniques wherein the probes are bound to substrates are disclosed. The subject invention employs crosslinker-containing hybridization probes capable of forming covalent bonds between the probe and the target nucleic acid. Upon activation, the crosslinker will, if the probe has hybridized with its essentially complementary target, form covalent bonds with the complementary strand to covalently crosslink the probe to the target. Subsequently, stringent wash conditions may be employed to reduce background signals due to non-specific absorption or probes or targets, while retaining all crosslinked probe/target hybrids. Also disclosed are diagnostic kits for use in clinical and diagnostic laboratories.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting nucleic acid sequences. Probes comprising a crosslinking agent are combined with a sample which may comprise a target sequence which is complementary to the probe. Hybridization is allowed to occur between complementary sequences. The crosslinking agent is activated. Covalent bonds are formed between the probe and the target sequence if they are hybridized to one another. The crosslinked nucleic acids can then be detected to indicate the presence of the target sequence. Also provided are kits comprising reagents.

Abstract: Nucleic acid probes that are susceptible to chemical or enzymatic degradation are described herein. In addition, assays and methods using such probes in the detection of target nucleic acid sequences are disclosed. The target-specific hybridization region or target-complementary region of the degradable probes can be separated via a degradation process from the detectable region. The remaining portion of the degradable probes can be easily detected. The use of the degradable probes described herein improves the signal-to-noise ratio by reducing background specific or non-specific signal generation in assays and methods of nucleic acid detection.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting nucleic acid sequences. Probes comprising a crosslinking agent are combined with a sample which may comprise a target sequence which is complementary to the probe. Hybridization is allowed to occur between complementary sequences. The crosslinking agent is activated. Covalent bonds are formed between the probe and the target sequence if they are hybridized to one another. The crosslinked nucleic acids can then be detected to indicate the presence of the target sequence. Also provided are kits comprising reagents.

Abstract: Novel aryl derivatives comprising an aryl olefin moiety linked to a non-nucleosidic backbone moiety are disclosed. The resulting molecules are typically used as photoactivated crosslinking groups when incorporated into oligonucleotides to crosslink nucleic acid strands.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting nucleic acid sequences. Probes comprising a crosslinking agent are combined with a sample which may comprise a target sequence which is complementary to the probe. Hybridization is allowed to occur between complementary sequences. The crosslinking agent is activated. Covalent bonds are formed between the probe and the target sequence if they are hybridized to one another. The crosslinked nucleic acids can then be detected to indicate the presence of the target sequence. Also provided are kits comprising reagents.

Abstract: Novel coumarin derivatives comprising a coumarin moiety linked to a non-nucleosidic backbone moiety are disclosed. The resulting molecules are typically used as photoactivate cross-linking groups when incorporated into polynucleotides as replacements for one or more of the complementary nucleoside bases present in probes used in procedures involving nucleic acid hybridization reactions.