Abstract: Methods and compositions for controlling gene expression are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for efficient and high throughput emulsion-based nucleic amplification are provided. In some aspects, emulsion mixtures are provided that require extremely low input energy (e.g., the energy generated by pipetting) to form emulsions that are effective for nucleic acid amplification. Efficient formulations for breaking emulsions are likewise provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a peptide that binds specifically to the surface of zirconia, and more particularly, to a peptide conjugate obtained by linking a functional drug to the peptide so as to enable the drug to be securely fixed to the surface of zirconia to thereby maintain the activity of the drug over a long period of time. The zirconia-binding peptide according to the present invention can be securely fixed to the surface of zirconia so that the activity of a physiologically active substance introduced into the peptide can be maintained on the zirconia surface over a long period of time. Thus, the zirconia-binding peptide is useful for surgical regenerative treatment.

Abstract: Methods and kits are provided for nucleic acid analysis. In an illustrative method a target nucleic acid is amplified using a first primer and a second primer, wherein the first primer comprises a probe element specific for a locus of the target nucleic acid and a template-specific primer region, and the probe element is 5? of the template-specific primer region, subsequently allowing the probe element to hybridize to the locus to form a hairpin, generating a melting curve for the probe element by measuring fluorescence from a dsDNA binding dye as the mixture is heated, wherein the dye is not covalently bound to the first primer, and analyzing the shape of the melting curve. Kits may include one or more of the first and second primers, the dsDNA binding dye, a polymerase, and dNTPs.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of detecting a genetic variation in a genetic sample from a subject using labeled probes and counting the number of labels in the probes.

Abstract: Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) biomarkers, NEC biomarker panels, and methods for obtaining a NEC signature for a sample are provided. Also provided are methods, compositions, and kits for making a Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) assessment of an individual, e.g. for diagnosing NEC in a patient, prognosing NEC in a patient, treating an NEC patient, etc. These methods find use in a number of applications, such as diagnosing and treating infants who are suspected of having NEC, intestinal perforation (IP), or sepsis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions with uniquely designed oligonucleotide primers for identifying a plurality of microorganisms in a sample, and improved methods for detection of microbial populations from diverse biological and environmental samples.

Abstract: This invention provides for products and processes for binding to a preselected target, where the process involves contacting this target to an oligonucleotide molecule that contains one or more “non-standard” nucleotides, which are nucleotide analogs that, when incorporated into oligonucleotides (DNA or RNA, collectively xNA), present to a complementary strand in a Watson-Crick pairing geometry a pattern of hydrogen bonds that is different from the pattern presented by adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil. This disclosure provides an example where such an oligonucleotide molecule contains a single 2-amino-8-(1?-?-D-2?-deoxyribofuranosyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]-1,3,5-triazin-4(8H)one and a single 6-amino-5-nitro-3-(1?-?-D-2?-deoxyribofuranosyl)-2(1H)-pyridone, and where the target is a cell, and is obtained by a process of in vitro selection.

Abstract: Among other things, an imaging device has a photosensitive array of pixels, and a surface associated with the array is configured to receive a specimen with at least a part of the specimen at a distance from the surface equivalent to less than about half of an average width of the pixels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amplification primers with a universal tag and sequencing primers comprising at least one non-natural nucleobase capable of hybridizing to a complementary non-natural nucleobase. The present invention further relates to amplification methods of nucleic acid amplification and sequencing using an amplification primer with a universal tag and sequencing primers, as well as kits and solid supports comprising such primers and tags.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a series of techniques for producing isoprene from methanol or the like. Provided is a recombinant cell prepared by introducing a gene encoding isoprene synthase, into a host cell which is a methylotroph, wherein the gene is expressed in the host cell, and the recombinant cell is capable of producing isoprene from at least one C1 compound selected from the group consisting of methane, methanol, methylamine, formic acid, formaldehyde, and formamide. Preferably, it has at least one C1 carbon assimilating pathway selected from the group consisting of a serine pathway, a ribulose monophosphate pathway, and a xylulose monophosphate pathway as a fixing pathway of formaldehyde. Also provided is a method for producing isoprene using the recombinant cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of assembling a plurality of genetic units to form synthetic genetic constructs. This method involves appending universal adapter oligonucleotides and flexible adapter oligonucleotides to the 5? and 3? ends of separate genetic units to be assembled to form separate dual extended genetic units. The dual extended genetic units are assembled together via homologous recombination between the flexible adapter oligonucleotide portions of the dual extended units to form synthetic genetic constructs. The present invention further relates to synthetic genetic constructs formed using the methods of the present invention, and vectors, cells, and organisms containing such synthetic genetic constructs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genomic analysis. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for mapping genomic interactions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a microarray, wherein the production of this array is detected in real time from the accumulation of the product molecules being produced. The invention further relates to a microarray produced by this method, and to a device for the real-time detection of molecular accumulations on an array surface during the production of microarrays.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes that amplify, in a polymerase chain reaction architecture, oligonucleotide analogs that incorporate non-standard nucleobase analogs from an artificially expanded genetic information system. These pair in DNA duplexes via patterns of hydrogen bonds that are different from patterns that join the thymine-adenine and guanine-cytosine nucleobase pairs.

Abstract: The present invention provides multi-component inhibitors of nucleic acid polymerases, methods of making, and methods of using same. One component of the multi-component inhibitor is a molecule that binds to a polymerase (i.e., a polymerase-binding molecule (PBM)), but does not thereby substantially inhibit its polymerase activity. Another component is a molecule or complex of molecules that binds to a PBM (i.e., a PBM-binding molecule). The combination of the PBM and PBM-binding molecule/complex substantially inhibits polymerase activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for the generation of molecular microarrays. The invention relates therefore to a universal approach for the generation of protein microarrays, DNA microarrays and RNA microarrays (in general nucleic acid microarrays), by production of an output molecule from a template molecule microarray via enzymatic or chemical processes and transfer of the output molecule onto the desired molecular microarray.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a composition comprising one, two or more immunogenic bacterial polypeptides and multivalent and monovalent vaccine compositions comprising the immunogenic bacterial polypeptides.

Abstract: Provided is a base sequence cluster generating system, method, and program product for performing cluster generation. The base sequence cluster generating system utilizes a computer system having a database containing base sequences receives a query sequence over. The computer uses spliced base sequences as a query sequence to generate a first cluster including base sequences that are likely to constitute a spliced pair with the query sequence. Spliced alignment is applied to the generated first cluster to generate a second cluster including spliced pairs. The generated second cluster is returned to the requester.

Abstract: A portable spectroscopic device for acquiring single-frame spatial, spectral, and polarization information of an object. The device includes a modular dispersion element assembly that is coupled to a mobile computing device and disperses light into a plurality of different wavelengths. The mobile computing device includes a sensor and is configured to receive and analyze the plurality of wavelengths. The mobile computing device is also configured to perform automatic calibrations to determine the absolute wavelength axis and make stray-light corrections with minimal user intervention, thus making it amenable for untrained users not familiar with the state of the art. The mobile computing device is also configured to extend dynamic range.

Abstract: A method for sequencing a nucleic acid is provided. In certain embodiments the method comprises obtaining a duplex comprising a nucleic acid and a primer, wherein the primer has a nuclease resistant 3? end, combining the duplex with a chain terminator nucleotide and a proof-reading polymerase to produce a reaction in which the polymerase idles on the added chain terminator nucleotide, identifying the chain terminator nucleotide added to the end of the primer; and adding a nuclease-resistant nucleotide to the end of the primer after the polymerase has idled on and removed the added chain terminator nucleotide, thereby producing a duplex comprising the template and an extended primer that has a nuclease resistant 3? end.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for analyzing genes using SDL-PCR (separation of displaced ligation probe-based PCR), and more particularly to a method for analyzing genes using SDL-PCR, in which probes comprising a nucleotide sequence complementary to the gene of interest are ligated with each other by ligase, and another probe capable of hybridizing to the probes is hybridized and extended, thereby preparing a template probe, and the template probe for the gene of interest is amplified using universal primers. According to the SDL-PCR method of the present invention, non-specific amplification can be minimized by removing non-ligated probes or genomic DNA using a tag, and separation can be achieved within a shorter time compared to a separation method that is performed using exonuclease.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a pretreatment method that allows RNA to be detected promptly and simply. RNA degradation activity due to lactoferrin present in the human rhinal mucosa is inhibited, for example, by adding iron ion and carbonate ion to a biological sample that contains the human rhinal mucosa. With the pretreated biological sample, an RNA virus gene can be amplified by a reverse transcriptase. Iron ion and carbonate ion can also inhibit reverse transcriptase inhibition due to lysozyme C contained in the human rhinal mucosa. Further, it is preferable to remove the envelope of the RNA virus by adding SDS to the biological sample that contains the human rhinal mucosa.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acid substrates for catalytic nucleic acid enzymes and methods utilizing the substrates.

Abstract: The present invention provides multi-component inhibitors of nucleic acid polymerases, methods of making, and methods of using same. One component of the multi-component inhibitor is a molecule that binds to a polymerase (i.e., a polymerase-binding molecule (PBM)), but does not thereby substantially inhibit its polymerase activity. Another component is a molecule or complex of molecules that binds to a PBM (i.e., a PBM-binding molecule). The combination of the PBM and PBM-binding molecule/complex substantially inhibits polymerase activity. The disclosed multi-component inhibitors are useful for DNA sequencing, nucleic acid amplification, cloning and synthesis, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and biomarkers for detection of cervical cancer in biological samples, and in particular to markers associated with hypoxia related to the cervical cancer.

Abstract: The present application discloses the identification of novel I. orientalis ADH1, ADHa, and ADHb genes, and the production and characterization of genetically modified yeast cells in which these genes were altered. Provided herein are isolated I. orientalis ADH1, ADHa, and ADHb polynucleotides and polypeptides, genetically modified yeast cells that overexpress I. orientalis ADH1 and/or contain deletions or disruptions of ADHa and/or ADHb, and methods of using culturing these modified cells to produce ethanol.

Abstract: A method of detecting a single nucleotide polymorphism includes providing a first template polynucleotide, a second polynucleotide comprising a first and second sequence (complementary to a first portion of the first polynucleotide), and a third polynucleotide (complementary to a second portion of the first polynucleotide). The first, second and third polynucleotides are annealed, ligated and optionally, these steps are repeated. A fourth polynucleotide, which is essentially complementary to at least a portion of the first sequence, coupled to a first indicator is then provided. A fifth and/or sixth polynucleotide is provided. The fifth polynucleotide is essentially identical to at least a portion of the second sequence of the second polynucleotide and/or to at least a portion of the third polynucleotide. The sixth polynucleotide is essentially complementary to a portion of the second sequence of the second polynucleotide. The third or fifth polynucleotides may be coupled to a second indicator.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions and methods for isolating, detecting, amplifying, and quantitating pathogen-specific nucleic acids in a biological sample. The invention also provides diagnostic kits containing specific amplification primers, and labeled detection probes that specifically bind to the amplification products obtained therefrom. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for the isolation and characterization of nucleic acids that are specific to one or more pathogens, including for example Influenza virus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, from a wide variety of samples including those of biological, environmental, clinical and/or veterinary origin.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a test biomarker is a stain for a type of cell component, such as membrane or nucleus, involves performing various segmentation processes on an image of tissue stained with the test biomarker. One segmentation process searches for a first cell component type, and another segmentation process searches for a second cell component type by segmenting only stained pixels. The test biomarker is identified as a stain for each component type if the process identifies the component based only on stained pixels. Whether the test biomarker is a membrane stain or nucleus stain is displayed on a graphical user interface. In addition, the method identifies stained pixels corresponding to a second cell component using pixels determined to correspond to a first cell component. An expression profile for the test biomarker is then displayed that indicates the proportion of stained pixels in each type of cell component.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and systems for measuring the concentration of multiple nucleic acid sequences in a sample. The nucleic acid sequences in the sample are simultaneously amplified, for example, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the presence of an array of nucleic acid probes. The amount of amplicon corresponding to the multiple nucleic acid sequences can be measured in real-time during or after each cycle using a real-time microarray. The measured amount of amplicon produced can be used to determine the original amount of the nucleic acid sequences in the sample.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and kits for the quantification of a nucleic acid target present on a solid support. This entails quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction wherein minor groove binders are excluded.

Abstract: A polynucleotide comprising a first region the 5? end of which is complementary to a portion of a target nucleic acid, a cleavable second region, a third region having a stem-loop structure, and a fourth region complementary to the 3? end of the first region, and use of the polynucleotide, as well as a composition comprising two such polynucleotides each of which hybridize different strands of a double-stranded target nucleic acid, and methods and kits using the same for amplifying targets.

Abstract: A method is provided of prolonging the shelf life of probiotic lactic-acid producing bacteria formulated in oil, by using a specific moisture absorbing technology.

Abstract: The invention pertains to sequences, methods, and kits useful in the identification of and differentiation between Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei. The methods generally involve the addition of oligonucleotides to mixtures containing nucleic acid isolated from a sample and performing nucleic acid amplification on the mixture.

Abstract: This disclosure describe three related novel methods for Recombinase-Polymerase Amplification (RPA) of a target DNA that exploit the properties of the bacterial RecA and related proteins, to invade double-stranded DNA with single stranded homologous DNA permitting sequence specific priming of DNA polymerase reactions. The disclosed methods has the advantage of not requiring thermocycling or thermophilic enzymes. Further, the improved processivity of the disclosed methods allow amplification of DNA up to hundreds of megabases in length.

Abstract: A method for the reduction of the complexity of nucleic acid pool(s), comprising: providing a sample with one or more nucleic acid molecules; cutting the nucleic acid molecules by a random and/or sequence independent cutting step thereby obtaining a pool of nucleic acid fragments; and amplifying one or more fragments of said nucleic acid molecules, wherein the one or more fragments constitute at least a fraction of all fragments of the nucleic acid molecules, wherein the amplified or amplifying one or more fragments of said fraction are divided into different subpools, and wherein the fragments of each subpool comprise a common nucleic acid feature.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for recombinational cloning. The compositions include vectors having multiple recombination sites and/or multiple topoisomerase recognition sites. The methods permit the simultaneous cloning of two or more different nucleic acid molecules. In some embodiments the molecules are fused together while in other embodiments the molecules are inserted into distinct sites in a vector. The invention also generally provides for linking or joining through recombination a number of molecules and/or compounds (e.g., chemical compounds, drugs, proteins or peptides, lipids, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, etc.) which may be the same or different.

Abstract: The present invention aims to solve problems in the analysis of amplified nucleic acids, i.e., cost, workability, and contamination and pollution of samples. In the present invention, a sample containing a nucleic acid and a reagent for detecting the nucleic acid are mixed in a closed system. In this regard, the nucleic acid is amplified in the same closed system, and then mixed with the detecting reagent without opening the system. In order to carry out this method, for example, a device that includes the detecting reagent shielded by a coating material or the like is used.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein are directed to an apparatus useful in conducting detection of compounds on blotting membranes. The device is comprised of several layers including a porous support layer below the blotting membrane(s), a flow distributor above the blotting membrane(s) and optionally a well on the flow distributor to contain the liquid to the desired area and to allow for lower starting volumes of such liquid. Preferably, the flow distributor is a non-binding or low binding hydrophilic porous membrane such as a 0.22 micron membrane and the support layer is a grid or sintered porous material. The distributor and support are held together to form an envelope around the membrane(s). The use of a hinge, clips and other such devices is preferred in doing so.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acids encoding peptides capable of binding to actin. The nucleic acids encoding the peptides are useful in methods for detecting actin in vitro or in living cells.

Abstract: We describe ultra-high throughput polony genome sequencing that can permit, for example, generating raw data to re-sequencing the human genome in about one week (including library prep and sequencing) at a reasonable cost. The methods described herein include one or more of the following: (1) increasing polony sequencing read length, (2) improving library construction and emulsions protocols, (3) increasing bead density and/or moving to alternative clonal amplication strategies (other than emulsion PCR or ePCR), (4) extending software capabilities to allow SNP calls from our new sequencing raw data, (5) Dual Primer Emulsion PCR, and (6) diagnostic method exploiting one or more of the foregoing.

Abstract: Compositions, reaction mixtures, kits and methods used in amplifying and detecting nucleic acids from various species of the class Mollicutes. Particular regions of the 23S rRNA or its gene have been identified as preferred targets for nucleic acid amplification reactions of a sample suspected containing at least one species of Mollicutes. Some oligomers comprise tag regions, target closing regions, promoter sequences, and/or binding moieties. Samples can be from any source suspected of containing a species of the class Mollicutes. Preferred sample sources include bioreactors, cell lines, cell culture wares and pharmaceutical manufacturing wares.

Abstract: Methods and kits for joining two or more polynucleotides to form a product polynucleotide are provided. A mixture contains a first polynucleotide comprising a selectable marker. The mixture further contains a second polynucleotide comprising a first typeIIs recognition sequence and a second typeIIs recognition sequence. The second polynucleotide is other than the first polynucleotide. The mixture further contains a first typeIIs restriction endonuclease that cleaves the first typeIIs recognition sequence to produce a first end, a second typeIIs restriction endonuclease that cleaves the second typeIIs recognition sequence to produce a second end, and a DNA ligase. The first end is not compatible with the second end. The combined actions of the enzymes in the mixture join the first polynucleotide to the second polynucleotide forming a product polynucleotide, which is obtained by transforming the mixture into a host cell.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the rapid and highly accurate identification of the entire essential genome of any organism under a given selection condition at a resolution of a few base pairs. An engineered transposon bearing an adapter sequence for ultra high throughput adaptor-based sequencing is employed for hyper-saturated transposon mutagenesis. Transposon junctions are subsequently isolated and collectively amplified through a shared parallel PCR strategy such that a second adaptor sequence is further incorporated into template DNA so that the first adaptor sequence and the second adaptor sequence flank the 5? and 3? regions of the sample DNA, respectively. Sample DNA is then sequenced in an ultra high-throughput adaptor-based DNA sequencer using adaptor primers. Transposon insertion sites are mapped onto the organism's genome, allowing for the algorithmic identification of essential genetic elements based on genomic transposition frequency.

Abstract: A method of detecting at least one gene modification such as a mutation in a gene includes carrying out an asymmetric polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with a combined use of at least one detectable mutation-specific hybridization probe (sensor probe) and at least one wild-type specific blocking agent which inhibits a binding of the at least one detectable mutation-specific hybridization probe (sensor probe) to a wild-type gene so as to provide at least one of a selective intensification and an amplification of a detection of a gene segment of a mutation gene having a gene modification.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting a nucleic acid, by which a multi-stranded nucleic acid amplified by a nucleic acid amplification method is detected easily and with a high degree of accuracy without the need for specialized equipment, and also provides a nucleic acid detection device. Provided are a method for detecting a nucleic acid under visible light via a color reaction produced by contact between a chromogenic leuco dye and the multi-stranded nucleic acid, as well as a nucleic acid detection device using this method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) as a predictive biomarker of response to antiangiogenic therapy and survival after antiangiogenic therapy in cancer patients, and to related methods for predicting or monitoring the response to an antiangiogenic treatment and the survival after said treatment of a cancer patient.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions that have a light emitting reporter linked to biomolecules, preferably, nucleotide oligomers. The light reporter particles are silylated and functionalized to produce a coated light reporter particle, prior to covalently linking the biomolecules to the light reporter particle. The light reporter particles of the invention can be excited by a light excitation source such as UV or IR light, and when the biomolecule is DNA, the attached DNA molecule(s) are detectable by amplification techniques such as PCR.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and assays for the detection of active Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) activity in cells. The methods and assays involve detecting or assaying for partially double-stranded telomeric circles wherein the presence of said circles is specific for cells comprising an active ALT mechanism. In some embodiments the methods find application in, inter alia, determining the level of ALT activity in a cell, determining the ALT status of a cancer in a subject, diagnosing and/or treating disease, determining disease status, analysis of treatment efficacy, and the identification of novel therapeutic agents.