Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for amplifying nucleic acids that avoid problems associated with primer-dimer formation. The present methods are referred to herein as dimer avoided multiplex polymerase chain reaction (dam-PCR). The methods disclosed herein generally comprise the steps of reverse transcribing at least one first strand of DNA, for example cDNA from an RNA sample, wherein each first strand of DNA incorporates a reverse common primer binding site; selecting each first strand of DNA; synthesizing at least one second strand of DNA from each of the at least one first strand of DNA, wherein each second strand of DNA incorporates a forward common primer binding site; selecting each second strand of cDNA; and amplifying the DNA strands using common primers. Alternatively, the method may be performed using a gDNA template.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for amplifying nucleic acids that avoid problems associated with primer-dimer formation. The present methods are referred to herein as dimer avoided multiplex polymerase chain reaction (dam-PCR). The methods disclosed herein generally comprise the steps of reverse transcribing at least one first strand of DNA, for example cDNA from an RNA sample, wherein each first strand of DNA incorporates a reverse common primer binding site; selecting each first strand of DNA; synthesizing at least one second strand of DNA from each of the at least one first strand of DNA, wherein each second strand of DNA incorporates a forward common primer binding site; selecting each second strand of cDNA; and amplifying the DNA strands using common primers. Alternatively, the method may be performed using a gDNA template.

Abstract: Cells expressing chimeric hepatitis C virus NS4A protein are disclosed, as are vectors and methods for preparing such cells and methods of using the cells and the chimeric proteins therein in screening assays for detecting compounds that alter the associative characteristics of NS4A proteins. Disclosed screening assays are suitable for use in high throughput screening of compound libraries to identify compounds with a exhibiting specific anti-viral activity against hepatitis C virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of identifying a molecule from a library of molecules that inhibits binding of human immunodeficiency virus nucleocapsid 7 polypeptide (NCp7) to an oligonucleotide which comprises admixing an NCp7 polypeptide with at one labeled HIV-1 psi-site oligonucleotide and an amount of the molecule to be tested under binding conditions; and determining the amount of oligonucleotide bound to the NCp7 polypeptide, wherein a decrease in the amount of oligonucleotide bound in the presence of the molecule compared with the amount of oligonucleotide bound in the absence of the molecule indicates that the molecule inhibits binding of NCp7 polypeptide to the oligonucleotide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of identifying a molecule from a library of molecules that inhibits binding of human immunodeficiency virus nucleocapsid 7 polypeptide (NCp7) to an oligonucleotide which comprises admixing an NCp7 polypeptide with at one labeled HIV-1 psi-site oligonucleotide and an amount of the molecule to be tested under binding conditions; and determining the amount of oligonucleotide bound to the NCp7 polypeptide, wherein a decrease in the amount of oligonucleotide bound in the presence of the molecule compared with the amount of oligonucleotide bound in the absence of the molecule indicates that the molecule inhibits binding of NCp7 polypeptide to the oligonucleotide.