Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of determining telomere length using universal reference primers. The reference primer pairs efficiently and reproducibly amplify genomic DNA in any vertebrate species. Kits for determining the length of telomeres or others repetitive regions in a sample are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to oligonucleotide biosensors that bind to a fluorophore through a reporter domain and to one or more target ligand(s) through one or more target domain(s), which is connected to the reporter domain through one or more linker domain(s). The binding of the target ligand to the target domain affects the fluorescence of the fluorophore when excited by the appropriate wavelength of energy, either by causing dimming or allosteric fluorescence. Methods of selecting biosensors and their use to detect target ligands are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to oligonucleotide biosensors that bind to a fluorophore through a reporter domain and to one or more target ligand(s) through one or more target domain(s), which is connected to the reporter domain through one or more linker domain(s). The binding of the target ligand to the target domain affects the fluorescence of the fluorophore when excited by the appropriate wavelength of energy, either by causing dimming or allosteric fluorescence. Methods of selecting biosensors and their use to detect target ligands are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of determining telomere length using universal reference primers. The reference primer pairs efficiently and reproducibly amplify genomic DNA in any vertebrate species. Kits for determining the length of telomeres or others repetitive regions in a sample are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for stimulating muscle growth and/or for inhibiting muscle atrophy in a subject suffering from or predisposed to having a muscle wasting disease by administering an agent that increases the expression of the runx1 gene or gene product in an individual. The invention further provides a biomarker for a muscle wasting disease or condition and methods for screening or diagnosing a subject having, or predisposed to having, a muscle wasting disease by measuring the level of expression of the runx1 gene, or its target genes or gene products in an individual. The invention further relates to the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions using agents that may aid in muscle growth and that may prevent or inhibit muscle atrophy by increasing the expression and/or activity of the runx1 gene and/or gene product.