Abstract: A method for detecting (i) one or more microorganisms or (ii) nucleic acid sequences from a prokaryotic source or an eukaroytic source in an unpurified nucleic acid-containing test sample comprising(a) labeling the nucleic acids in the test sample,(b) contacting, under hybridization conditions, the labeled hybridizable nucleic acid and one or more immobilized hybridizable nucleic acid probes comprising (i) one or more known microorganisms or (ii) sequences from eukaroytic or prokaryotic sources, to form hybridized labeled nucleic acids, and(d) assaying for the hybridized nucleic acids by detecting the label. The method can be used to detect genetic disorders, e.g., sickle-cell anemia.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing Alzheimer Disease or a predisposition to develop Alzheimer Disease in an individual, by determining the presence of an alteration in the normal base sequence of the 24 base pairs appearing at the end of the APC coding sequence of the preAPC gene, or in the normal base sequence of the corresponding mRNA, in the DNA or RNA or such individual. The method detects the presence of a frameshift mutation in the preAPC gene postulated to result in the synthesis of the APC protein. Accumulation of APC protein in the brain is a phenomenon of Alzheimer Disease. A variety of nucleic acid hybridization techniques are applicable to the determination of an alteration in the preAPC gene sequence of interest.

Abstract: A nucleic acid detection probe comprising a hybridizable single stranded portion of nucleic acid connected with a non-hybridizable, single or double stranded nucleic acid portion, the non-hybridizable portion preferably including a recognition site for binding by a particular protein. Such recognition site can be a region of singly or doubly stranded nucleic acid specific for a particular nucleic acid binding protein such as lac repressor protein or can be a modified nucleic acid region such as a unique antigenic determinant introduced by interaction of the region with a modifier compound such as an intercalating agent or a platinum-containing ligand. The probe-binding protein can be labeled for ease of detection and in the case of an antigenic determinant binding site can be labeled antibody.

Abstract: A process for production of a single strand of a nucleic acid comprising covalently linking to a solid substrate a polynucleotide complementary to the desired strand, hybridizing said polynucleotide with an oligonucleotide, extending the oligonucleotide in direction away from said substrate, denaturing the hybridized polynucleotide and extended oligonucleotide, thereby to free the extended oligonucleotide from the solid substrate, and separating the extended oligonucleotide. The product can be used for making analytical probes.

Abstract: A detection probe comprising a hybridizable single stranded portion of nucleic acid connected with a non-hybridizable, single or double stranded nucleic acid portion, the non-hybridizable portion preferably including a recognition site for a particular protein.