Abstract: Nucleic acid hybridization buffer formulations and uses thereof are described that yield improvements in hybridization specificity, rate, and efficiency. The buffer formulation composition includes a target nucleic acid; at least one organic solvent having a dielectric constant in the range of no greater than 115; and a pH buffer system, wherein the target nucleic acid is attached to the surface via hybridization to a surface bound nucleic acid tethered to the surface, and wherein the hybridization of the target nucleic acid and surface bound nucleic acid has a high stringency and annealing rate.

Abstract: Multivalent binding compositions including a particle-nucleotide conjugate having a plurality of copies of a nucleotide attached to the particle are described. The multivalent binding compositions allow one to localize detectable signals to active regions of biochemical interaction, e.g., sites of protein-protein interaction, protein-nucleic acid interaction, nucleic acid hybridization, or enzymatic reaction, and can be used to identify sites of base incorporation in elongating nucleic acid chains during polymerase reactions and to provide improved base discrimination for sequencing and array based applications.

Abstract: Methods and formulations for preparing low non-specific binding surfaces are described, and the prepared surface can provide improved performance for nucleic acid detection and base calling applications. The surface provides more accurate nucleic acid detection, enhanced contrast to noise ratio, and better data collection.

Abstract: Multivalent binding compositions including a particle-nucleotide conjugate having a plurality of copies of a nucleotide attached to the particle are described. The multivalent binding compositions allow one to localize detectable signals to active regions of biochemical interaction, e.g., sites of protein-protein interaction, protein-nucleic acid interaction, nucleic acid hybridization, or enzymatic reaction, and can be used to identify sites of base incorporation in elongating nucleic acid chains during polymerase reactions and to provide improved base discrimination for sequencing and array based applications.

Abstract: Multivalent binding compositions including a particle-nucleotide conjugate having a plurality of copies of a nucleotide attached to the particle are described. The multivalent binding compositions allow one to localize detectable signals to active regions of biochemical interaction, e.g., sites of protein-protein interaction, protein-nucleic acid interaction, nucleic acid hybridization, or enzymatic reaction, and can be used to identify sites of base incorporation in elongating nucleic acid chains during polymerase reactions and to provide improved base discrimination for sequencing and array based applications.

Abstract: Multivalent binding compositions including a particle-nucleotide conjugate having a plurality of copies of a nucleotide attached to the particle are described. The multivalent binding compositions allow one to localize detectable signals to active regions of biochemical interaction, e.g., sites of protein-protein interaction, protein-nucleic acid interaction, nucleic acid hybridization, or enzymatic reaction, and can be used to identify sites of base incorporation in elongating nucleic acid chains during polymerase reactions and to provide improved base discrimination for sequencing and array based applications.

Abstract: Improved system and method are described that utilize surfaces with low non-specific binding supports and formulations for performing solid-phase nucleic acid hybridization and amplification. The system and method described herein provide improved performance for nucleic acid detection and other applications.

Abstract: Devices having a low non-specific binding surface and formulations for performing solid-phase nucleic acid hybridization and amplification are described that provide improved performance for nucleic acid detection, amplification, and sequencing applications. These devices provide more accurate data collection and more accurate sequence reads.

Abstract: Low non-specific binding supports and formulations for performing solid-phase nucleic acid hybridization and amplification are described that provide improved performance for nucleic acid detection, amplification, and sequencing applications. These supports exhibit a high Contrast-to Noise Ratio (CNR), facilitating more accurate data collection and more accurate sequence reads.

Abstract: Conformationally-constrained helicases having improved activity and strength are provided. Methods of making conformationally-constrained helicases having improved activity and strength are provided. Methods of using conformationally-constrained helicases having improved activity and strength are provided. The present invention is based on the discovery of novel modified helicases that show dramatically enhanced helicase activity and increased strength as compared to unmodified helicases. As described further herein, it has been surprisingly discovered that, by controlling the conformation of certain subdomains such that the helicase remains in a closed form (e.g.