Abstract: This invention covers oligonucleotide analogs that fold in part by having a segment of consecutive pyrimidine analogs form pyrimidine analog:pyrimidine analog pairs with another a segment of consecutive pyrimidine analogs segment, and where the segments pair by pyrimidine analog:pyrimidine analog “skinny” pairing. This pairing retains hydrogen bonding complementarity seen in standard DNA.

Abstract: This invention covers a new molecular recognition system, where duplexes of DNA-like molecules comprise segments built from nucleotides that carry only a small pyrimidine-like analog, and where the segments pair by pyrimidine analog:pyrimidine analog “skinny” pairing. This pairing retains hydrogen bonding complementarity. Further, this invention relates to processes for preparing those duplexes, and processes that use such duplexes as primer:template complexes for reactions catalyzed by DNA polymerases.

Abstract: This invention is for a new molecular recognition system, where DNA-like molecules comprising segments built from nucleotides that carry only a small which comprises process by which one molecule interacts with a specific second molecule, or by which a portion of a single molecule interacts specifically with another portion of the same molecule. Further, this invention relates to molecular recognition that follows simple rules. Further, this invention relates to molecular systems that are linear biopolymers that are analogs of DNA and RNA, in that they are built from a small set of building blocks that are linked together by phosphate groups, where the building blocks comprise a sugar (ribose, 2?-deoxyribose, or an analog) attached to a heterocycle. The molecular recognition that they display differs from that displayed by DNA and RNA, in that the rules governing molecular recognition break the rules of size complementarity followed in molecular recognition displayed between and within strands of DNA and RNA.

Abstract: This invention concerns self-avoiding molecular recognition systems (SAMRS), compositions that bind to natural DNA and RNA, but do not bind to compositions at sites that incorporate other SAMRS components, and processes dependent on them. Their utility is shown by discoveries that DNA polymerases accept these compositions as primers and templates, where standard triphosphates are added to primers containing SAMRS components, and added opposite to SAMRS components in the template. A critical mass of data are provided in 16 examples to provide first-generation heuristic rules to permit design of SAMRS sequences can be used as primers and templates that are accepted by DNA polymerases. The presently preferred primers are at least 12 nucleotide units in length, and more preferably between 15 and 30 nucleotides in length. Also preferred are chimeric primers that have standard nucleotides in their 5?-segments, and SAMRS nucleotides in their 3?-segments, and in multiplexed priming.

Abstract: This patent application claims processes and compositions of matter that enable the discovery of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that distinguish the genomes of two individual organisms in the same species, as well as that distinguish the paternal and maternal genetic inheritance of a single individual, as well as distinguish the genomes of cells in special tissues (e.g. cancer tissues) within an individual from the genomes of the standard cells in the same individuals, as well as the SNPs that are discovered using these processes and compositions. Two steps are essential to the invention disclosed in this application. The first step provides four sets of primers, which are designated “T-extendable”, “A-extendable”, “C-extendable”, and “G-extendable”. These primers, when targeted against a reference genome as a template, add (respectively) T, A, C, and G to their 3?-ends in a template-directed primer extension reaction.

Abstract: This application claims processes and compositions that enable discovery of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and other sequence variation that follows two essentially identical sequences, one a reference, the other a target, as well as SNPs discovered using these processes and compositions. The inventive process comprises preparation of four sets of primers, “T-extendable”, “A-extendable”, “C-extendable”, and “G-extendable”. These primers, when templated on a reference genome, add (respectively) T, A, C, and G to their 3?-ends. The invention also comprises a step where these primer sets are separately bound to complementary sequences on target DNA and, once bound, prime extension reactions using target DNA as the template. If the target DNA directs incorporation of the same nucleotide as the reference DNA, then the T-, A-, C-, and G-extendable primers are extended (respectively) by T, A, C, and G.