Abstract: A method for detecting a target nucleic acid molecule is provided, comprising the steps of (a) reacting a mixture comprising (i) a target nucleic acid molecule; (ii) a single-stranded nucleic acid probe containing a scissile linkage; (iii) an enzyme capable of cleaving the probe portion of a double-stranded target-probe complex at the scissile linkage; and (iv) ribosomal protein and/or spermine, under conditions and for a time sufficient to allow the target nucleic acid and probe to hybridize to each other and form a double-stranded target-probe complex, followed by cleavage of the probe and cycling of the target to a new uncleaved probe, such that one or more portions of the cleaved nucleic acid probe are released from the target-probe complex; and (b) determining whether cleaved portions of the nucleic acid probe are produced, and thereby detecting the presence of the target nucleic acid.

Abstract: Briefly stated, the present invention provides novel compositions and methods for detecting target nucleic acid sequences utilizing adjacent sequence-enzyme molecules. Within one aspect of the present invention, oligonucleotide-enzyme fusion molecules are provided, comprising an enzyme capable of cleaving scissile linkages and an oligonucleotide having the structure (NA.sub.1).sub.x --S.sub.z --(NA.sub.2).sub.y wherein NA.sub.1 and NA.sub.2 are nucleic acid sequences, S is a scissile nucleic acid linkage, x, y and z are integers from 1 to 100 and n is an integer from 1 to 10.

Abstract: An apparatus for the stepwise synthesis of polynucleotides in which the polynucleotide chains are extended in stepwise fashion from a modified form of polymer support to which the first unit is linked comprises a reaction column containing the polymer supported product and acting as the reaction vessel, and a series of reaction bottles all connected to the reaction column by means of a fluid flow conduit to which the vessels make connection via two-way valves arranged in series. The farthest upstream vessel of the series contains reaction solvent, used for washing purposes and the like. The most downstream of the reaction vessels contain nucleotide reagents.