Abstract: Sequences of nucleic acid oligonucleotides for amplifying different portions of gag and pol genes of HIV-1 and for detecting such amplified nucleic acid sequences are disclosed. Methods of amplifying and detecting HIV-1 nucleic acid in a biological sample using the amplification oligonucleotides specific for gag and pol target sequences are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods of synthesizing multiple copies of a target nucleic acid sequence which are autocatalytic (i.e., able to cycle automatically without the need to modify reaction conditions such as temperature, pH, or ionic strength and using the product of one cycle in the next one). In particular, the present invention discloses a method of nucleic acid amplification which is robust and efficient, while reducing the appearance of side-products. The method uses only one primer, the “priming oligonucleotide,” a promoter oligonucleotide modified to prevent polymerase extension from its 3?-terminus and, optionally, a means for terminating a primer extension reaction, to amplify RNA or DNA molecules in vitro, while reducing or substantially eliminating the formation of side-products. The method of the present invention minimizes or substantially eliminates the emergence of side-products, thus providing a high level of specificity.

Abstract: The present invention concerns oligonucleotides containing one or more modified nucleotides which increase the binding affinity of the oligonucleotides to target nucleic acids having a complementary nucleotide base sequence. These modified oligonucleotides hybridize to the target sequence at a faster rate than unmodified oligonucleotides having an identical nucleotide base sequence. Such modified oligonucleotides include oligonucleotides containing at least one 2?-methylribofuranosyl moiety joined to a nitrogenous base. Oligonucleotides can be modified in accordance with the present invention to preferentially bind RNA targets. The present invention also concerns methods of using these modified oligonucleotides and kits containing the same.

Abstract: Methods of detecting Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) organisms using in vitro nucleic acid amplification with amplification oligonucleotides specific for 16S rRNA or DNA sequences encoding 16S rRNA from MAC species are disclosed. Compositions and kits containing oligonucleotides for amplifying and detecting 16S rRNA or DNA sequences encoding 16S rRNA from MAC species are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention describes oligonucleotides targeted to HPV Type 16 and/or Type 18 nucleic acid sequences which are particularly useful to aid in detecting HPV type 16 and or 18. The oligonucleotides can aid in detecting HPV Type 16 and/or Type 18 in different ways such as by acting as hybridization assay probes, helper probes, and/or amplification primers.

Abstract: A method of detecting rpoB sequences of Mycobacterium tuberculosis present in a biological sample that includes steps of amplifying the M. tuberculosis rpoB sequence in vitro in a nucleic acid amplification mixture that includes specific disclosed primer sequences, and detecting the amplified sequences by using probes that provide information by their specific hybridization to portions of the amplified nucleic acid is disclosed. Compositions for amplifying and detecting in vitro the rpoB sequences of M. tuberculosis in a sample are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of detecting rpoB sequences of Mycobacterium tuberculosis present in a biological sample that includes steps of amplifying the M. Tuberculosis rpoB sequence in vitro in a nucleic acid amplification mixture that includes specific disclosed primer sequences, and detecting the amplified sequences by using probes that provide information by their specific hybridization to portions of the amplified nucleic acid is disclosed. Compositions for amplifying and detecting in vitro the rpoB sequences of M. Tuberculosis in a sample are disclosed.

Abstract: Oligonucleotides used to prime in vitro nucleic acid amplification of 16S rRNA sequences or DNA encoding 16S rRNA sequences for many species within the genus Mycobacterium are disclosed. Kits including such oligonucleotides are disclosed. Methods of detecting Mycobacterium species using the oligonucleotides in in vitro nucleic acid amplification are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention features inhibitors of target-independent amplification and the use of such inhibitors for enhancing an amplification protocol. The inhibitors are believed to enhance an amplification protocol by inhibiting the ability of one or more nucleic acid polymerases to use nucleic acid in a polymerase reaction in the absence of target nucleic acid.

Abstract: Nucleic acid oligomers specific for human parvovirus B19 genomic DNA are disclosed. An assay for amplifying and detecting human parvovirus B19 nucleic acid in biological specimens is disclosed. Compositions for detecting the presence of parvovirus B19 genomic DNA in human biological specimens are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of detecting rpoB sequences of Mycobacterium tuberculosis present in a biological sample that includes steps of amplifying the M. tuberculosis rpoB sequence in vitro in a nucleic acid amplification mixture that includes specific disclosed primer sequences, and detecting the amplified sequences using multiple probes that provide sequence information by their specific hybridization to portions of the amplified nucleic acid. Compositions for amplifying and detecting in vitro the rpoB sequences of M. tuberculosis in a sample are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns oligonucleotides containing one or more modified nucleotides which increase the binding affinity of the oligonucleotides to target nucleic acids having a complementary nucleotide base sequence. These modified oligonucleotides hybridize to the target sequence at a faster rate than unmodified oligonucleotides having an identical nucleotide base sequence. Such modified oligonucleotides include oligonucleotides containing at least one 2?-O-methylribofuranosyl moiety joined to a nitrogenous base. Oligonucleotides can be modified in accordance with the present invention to preferentially bind RNA targets. The present invention also concerns methods of using these modified oligonucleotides and kits containing the same.

Abstract: Sequences of nucleic acid oligonucleotides for amplifying different portions of gag and pol genes of HIV-1 and for detecting such amplified nucleic acid sequences are disclosed. Methods of amplifying and detecting HIV-1 nucleic acid in a biological sample using the amplification oligonucleotides specific for gag and pol target sequences are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns oligonucleotides containing one or more modified nucleotides which increase the binding affinity of the oligonucleotides to target nucleic acids having a complementary nucleotide base sequence. These modified oligonucleotides hybridize to the target sequence at a faster rate than unmodified oligonucleotides having an identical nucleotide base sequence. Such modified oligonucleotides include oligonucleotides containing at least one 2?-O-methylribofuranosyl moiety joined to a nitrogenous base. Oligonucleotides can be modified in accordance with the present invention to preferentially bind RNA targets. The present invention also concerns methods of using these modified oligonucleotides and kits containing the same.

Abstract: Methods of detecting Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) organisms using in vitro nucleic acid amplification with amplification oligonucleotides specific for 16S rRNA or DNA sequences encoding 16S rRNA from MAC species are disclosed. Compositions and kits containing oligonucleotides for amplifying and detecting 16S rRNA or DNA sequences encoding 16S rRNA from MAC species are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of detecting Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) organisms using in vitro nucleic acid amplification with amplification oligonucleotides specific for 16S rRNA or DNA sequences encoding 16S rRNA from MAC species are disclosed. Compositions and kits containing oligonucleotides for amplifying and detecting 16S rRNA or DNA sequences encoding 16S rRNA from MAC species are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention describes oligonucleotides targeted to HPV Type 16 and/or Type 18 nucleic acid sequences which are particularly useful to aid in detecting HPV type 16 and or 18. The oligonucleotides can aid in detecting HPV Type 16 and/or Type 18 in different ways such as by acting as hybridization assay probes, helper probes, and/or amplification primers.

Abstract: Methods of detecting Mycobacterium species using oligonucleotides to amplify in vitro 16S rRNA sequences or DNA encoding 16S rRNA sequences for many species in the genus Mycobacterium are disclosed. Amplification oligonucleotides for in vitro amplification of 16S rRNA sequences or DNA encoding 16S rRNA sequences from many Mycobacterium species are disclosed. Kits containing oligonucleotides useful for in vitro amplification of 16S rRNA sequences or DNA encoding 16S rRNA sequences from many Mycobacterium species are disclosed.

Abstract: Sequences of nucleic acid oligonucleotides for amplifying different portions of gag and pol genes of HIV-1 and for detecting such amplified nucleic acid sequences are disclosed. Methods of amplifying and detecting HIV-1 nucleic acid in a biological sample using the amplification oligonucleotides specific for gag and pol target sequences are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of detecting Mycobacterium species using oligonucleotides to amplify in vitro 16S rRNA sequences or DNA encoding 16S rRNA sequences for many species in the genus Mycobacterium are disclosed. Amplification oligonucleotides for in vitro amplification of 16S rRNA sequences or DNA encoding 16S rRNA sequences from many Mycobacterium species are disclosed. Kits containing oligonucleotides useful for in vitro amplification of 16S rRNA sequences or DNA encoding 16S rRNA sequences from many Mycobacterium species are disclosed.