Abstract: The present invention relates, in part, to control nucleic acid molecules having no significant sequence homology to any known nucleic acid, and predefined G/C-content. The present invention further relates to method of using control nucleic acid molecules to validate microarray analyses, compositions comprising control nucleic acid molecules, and kits comprising control nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits for obtaining substantially pure DNA polymerases. The methods comprise fractionating preparations comprising at east one DNA polymerase using Poly U Sepharose chromatography and obtaining substantially pure DNA polymerase. The present invention also provides compositions comprising substantially pure archaebacterial DNA polymerase obtained by fractionation using Poly U Sepharose chromatography resin.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, nucleic acids, compositions, and kits for detecting microRNA (miRNA) in samples. The methods comprise ligating two oligonucleotides together in an miRNA mediated fashion, and detection of the ligation product. The methods can further comprise amplification of the ligation product, such as by PCR. The nucleic acids, compositions, and kits typically comprise some or all of the components necessary to practice the method of the invention.

Abstract: The subject invention provides novel compositions containing a mixture of (a) an enzyme that possesses substantial 3?-5? exonuclease activity (b) a DNA polymerase with less 3?-5? exonuclease activity than the enzyme with substantial 3?-5? exonuclease activity. Preferably, the DNA polymerase for inclusion in the compositions are DNA polymerases that substantially lack 3?-5? exonuclease activity. A preferred embodiment of the invention is a composition comprising the Taq DNA polymerase (isolated from Thermus aquaticus) and the Pfu DNA polymerase (isolated from Pyrococcus furiosus). Another aspect of the invention is to provide methods for synthesizing polynucleotides, typically DNA, using compositions comprising an enzyme that possesses substantial 3?-5? exonuclease activity and a DNA polymerase with less 3?-5? exonuclease activity than the enzymes possessing substantial 3?-5? exonuclease activity, preferably a DNA polymerase that substantially lacks 3?-5? exonuclease activity.

Abstract: The subject invention provides novel compositions containing a mixture of (a) an enzyme that possesses substantial 3?-5? exonuclease activity (b) a DNA polymerase with less 3?-5? exonuclease activity than the enzyme with substantial 3?-5? exonuclease activity. Preferably, the DNA polymerase for inclusion in the compositions are DNA polymerases that substantially lack 3?-5? exonuclease activity. A preferred embodiment of the invention is a composition comprising the Taq DNA polymerase (isolated from Thermus aquaticus) and the Pfu DNA polymerase (isolated from Pyrococcus furiosus). Another aspect of the invention is to provide methods for synthesizing polynucleotides, typically DNA, using compositions comprising an enzyme that possesses substantial 3?-5? exonuclease activity and a DNA polymerase with less 3?-5? exonuclease activity than the enzymes possessing substantial 3?-5? exonuclease activity, preferably a DNA polymerase that substantially lacks 3?-5? exonuclease activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composition, kits and methods comprising a mutant DNA polymerase exhibiting increased reverse transcriptase activity. The invention also relates to methods of generating modified cDNA.