Abstract: Aptamers and improved aptamers are provided with enhanced efficacy for binding to target molecules in vivo or for treating cancer or other diseases. Such improvements in aptamers are provided that enhance in vivo efficacy such as binding to the target molecule or enhancing anti-cancer activity. Such improvements also include stability to serum nucleases, reduced binding to a soluble form of the target molecule, increased avidity, affinity or specificity to the target molecule on a cell surface, increased lifetime in circulation, or any combination of the foregoing. Improvements are provided by truncation, multimerization, including at least one non-natural nucleic acid, adding a 3? or 5? polyethylene glycol, or any combination thereof. Aptamers for treatment of autoimmune diseases are also provided.

Abstract: Compounds represented by the following structural formulas can be used as photoacid generators: Such compounds are useful, for example, in fabricating arrays of polymers.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for manipulating droplets on a support using surface tension properties, moving the droplets along a predetermined path and merging two droplets together enabling a number of chemical reactions. Disclosed are methods for controlling the droplets volumes. Disclosed are methods and devices for synthesizing at least one oligonucleotide having a predefined sequence. Disclosed are methods and devices for synthesizing and/or assembling at least one polynucleotide product having a predefined sequence from a plurality of different oligonucleotides having a predefined sequence.

Abstract: Nucleic acid compositions, methods of making and using such compositions that comprise modular functional groups that can be configured to provide desired functionality to different nucleotide types through a swappable and preferably non-covalent linkage component. Such compositions are useful in a variety of applications including nucleic acid analyses.

Abstract: A modified L-nucleic acid, containing an L-nucleic acid part conjugated to a non-L-nucleic acid part is described. The conjugate has extended retention time in and demonstrates a delayed elimination from an organism.

Abstract: There is disclosed nucleotides and nucleotide analogs having a protecting or “caging” group. There is further disclosed oligonucleotides and oligonucleotides analogs formed having a protecting or “caging” group. There is further disclosed a method for decaging the nucleotides and nucleotide analogs having a protecting or “caging” group and oligonucleotides and oligonucleotide analogs having a caging group.

Abstract: Provided are linkers suitable for preparing a conjugate of a nucleic acid and a peptide as a translation product thereof in a reconstituted cell-free translation system in genotype-phenotype mapping (display methods), said linkers comprising a single-stranded structure region having a side chain base pairing with the base at the 3?-end of an mRNA at one end and a peptidyl acceptor region containing an amino acid attached to an oligo RNA consisting of a nucleotide sequence of ACCA via an ester bond at the other end, characterized in that the ester bond is formed by using an artificial RNA catalyst. Also provided are display methods using [mRNA]-[linker]-[peptide] conjugates assembled via such linkers.

Abstract: Artificial transposon sequences having code tags and target nucleic acids containing such sequences. Methods for making artificial transposons and for using their properties to analyze target nucleic acids.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for the production of linear single-stranded nucleic acids, which can be used as templates in high-throughput sequencing systems. Also provided are methods and compositions for the production of closed single-stranded nucleic acid loops, which can be used as templates in high-throughput sequencing systems.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for selecting nucleotide sequences that yield dsRNA-mediated gene suppression in a target organism and enable their uptake by the target organism. The invention further provides expression constructs that confer stabilized expression of such sequences in a transgenic host cell, and methods for their use. Also provided are organisms, cells and tissues prepared by a method of the invention.

Abstract: The present patent application relates to the novel nucleoside derivatives and novel intermediates, which are useful to antiviral, anti tumor and immunomodulatory activity, method of treating diseases, conditions and/or disorders modulated by viral infections with them, and processes for preparing them.

Abstract: A nucleoside monomer that is protected by a thionocarbamate protecting group and contains one or more 2H, 13C, or 15N isotopes in the ribose and/or base part is provided, as well as a method for making a polynucleotide that uses the same. Also provided is a polynucleotide synthesis method that employs a diamine to deprotect a protected polynucleotide.

Abstract: A method of designing a multi-zinc-finger polypeptide predicted to bind to a sequence of interest that has at least three subsites includes the steps of: a) providing a nucleotide sequence of interest having first, second, and third consecutive subsites, wherein each of the first and third subsites are adjacent to the second subsite; b) identifying first and second adjacent zinc finger polypeptide sequences previously shown to bind to the first and second subsites in the context of a multi-zinc finger polypeptide; c) identifying a third zinc finger polypeptide previously shown to bind to a third subsite adjacent to the second subsite when present in the context of a multi-zinc finger polypeptide adjacent to the second zinc finger polypeptide; and d) combining the first, second, and third zinc finger polypeptide sequences in linear order, thereby designing a multi-zinc finger polypeptide predicted to bind to the sequence of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for determining the presence or absence of one or more target nucleic acid sequences in a sample. Also provided are kits comprising these systems, and uses of these systems in such applications as determining the presence or absence of at least one target nucleic acid sequence in a sample, detecting microorganism transcripts and host transcripts, differentiating microorganism transcripts from host transcripts, screening blood products, assaying a food product for contamination, assaying a sample for environmental contamination, detecting genetically-modified organisms, biodefense, forensics, and genetic-comparability studies. The present invention further provides a complex that includes a target nucleic acid sequence, a capture nucleic acid, and a reporter nucleic acid.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to identify sequence features of the 5? UTR, which are involved in changes in the translational state of plants under environmental stresses, and to provide a recombinant DNA molecule, an expression vector, a transformant, and the like, having the above sequence features.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an annealing control primer for improving annealing specificity in nucleic acid amplification and its applications to all fields of nucleic acid amplification-involved technology. The present primer comprises (a) a 3?-end portion having a hybridizing nucleotide sequence substantially complementary to a site on a template nucleic acid to hybridize therewith; (b) a 5?-end portion having a pre-selected arbitrary nucleotide sequence; and (c) a regulator portion positioned between said 3?-end portion and said 5?-end portion comprising at least one universal base or non-discriminatory base analog, whereby said regulator portion is capable of regulating an annealing portion of said primer in association with annealing temperature.

Abstract: In a method for synthesizing a long nucleic acid molecule, a first immobilized nucleic acid has a first 5? region and a first 3? region and a second immobilized nucleic acid has a second 5? region and a second 3? region. The second 3? region and the first 5? region have identical nucleic acid sequences. An oligonucleotide is hybridized to the first 3? region, extending the hybridized oligonucleotide and producing a first extension product having a 3? region that is complementary to the first 5? region. The 3? region of the first extension product is hybridized to the second 3? region, extending the 3? region of the first extension product and producing a synthesized nucleic acid molecule having a 3? region that is complementary to the second 5? region, wherein the synthesized nucleic acid molecule has a sequence complementary to the first and second 3? and 5? regions.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions of assessing one or more statuses of a subject. Also disclosed are methods and compositions of identifying status biomarkers associated with a status of a subject. Also disclosed are sets of one or more status biomarkers. Also disclosed are methods and compositions of producing status biomarker capture probes.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of plant molecular biology and provides methods for production of high expressing seed-specific and/or seed-preferential promoters and the production of plants with enhanced seed-specific and/or seed-preferential expression of nucleic acids wherein nucleic acid expression enhancing nucleic acids (NEENAs) are functionally linked to said promoters and/or introduced into plants.

Abstract: Methods for obtaining antisense oligonucleotides with activity against a desired target are provided. Methods of identifying oligonucleotide sequence motifs which are predictive of antisense oligonucleotide activity are provided, as are motifs identified according to this method. Methods of selecting effective antisense oligonucleotide sequences and effective antisense target sequences are provided, as are sequences selected according to these methods. In other methods of the invention, oligonucleotides are designed to hybridize to target sequences containing one or more activity-enhancing motifs. Antisense oligonucleotides designed according to these methods are also provided.

Abstract: A novel nucleoside triphosphate derivative, a nucleic acid probe, and a multilabeled nucleic acid probe that can detect a target nucleic acid conveniently and with high sensitivity, as well as a method for producing the multilabeled nucleic acid probe, and a method for detecting a target nucleic acid using the multilabeled nucleic acid probe or the nucleic acid probe. A target nucleic acid can be detected conveniently and with high sensitivity by using a transglutaminase (TGase), and by using a multilabeled nucleic acid probe in which a plurality of labeling portions have been introduced in advance by covalent binding, or by introducing a plurality of labeling portions by covalent binding into a nucleic acid probe that has been hybridized with the target nucleic acid.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the use of at least one abasic modification within the first 8 nucleotide positions of the 5? region of the antisense strand of a small interfering nucleic acid (siNA) molecule for reducing off-target effects. Provided are suitable modified siNAs, compositions and methods for producing respective siNAs, as well as kits comprising respective siNAs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing reporter molecules suitable for the detection of analytes, e.g. nucleic acids. Further, the present invention relates to methods and regions for detecting analytes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for performing light-directed reactions in spatially addressable channels within a plurality of channels. One aspect of the invention employs photoactivatable reagents in solutions disposed into spatially addressable flow streams to control the parallel synthesis of molecules immobilized within the channels. The reagents may be photoactivated within a subset of channels at the site of immobilized substrate molecules or at a light-addressable site upstream from the substrate molecules. The method and apparatus of the invention find particularly utility in the synthesis of biopolymer arrays, e.g., oligonucleotides, peptides and carbohydrates, and in the combinatorial synthesis of small molecule arrays for drug discovery.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an oligonucleotide having at least one phosphate internucleotide linkage I provided. The process comprises the steps of: a) forming a nascent oligonucleotide comprising a phosphorus (III) internucleotide linkage; and b) oxidation of the nascent oligonucleotide with aqueous iodine solution thereby to form a phosphorus (V) internucleotide linkage; wherein the oxidation is carried out in the presence of a base, the conjugate acid of said base having a pKa higher than the pKa of the conjugate acid of pyridine. Preferably the base is N-methylimidazole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved covalent coupling of two or more entities such as biomolecules, polymer compositions, organic/inorganic molecules/materials, and the like, including their combinations, through one or more novel reactive groups attached to linker groups of 2-1000 atoms length. The present invention also contemplates the use of bifunctional bridge molecules to link two or more entities, wherein the functional groups of the bridge molecules are the novel reactive groups of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are lipophilic polynucleotide conjugates including polynucleotide-cholesterol conjugates and methods of delivering therapeutic polynucleotides to a mammalian cell or patient in need of treatment using said conjugates. The disclosure further provides methods of synthesizing the lipophilic polynucleotide conjugates. The conjugates are designed to mimic or target cellular miRNAs. The lipophilic moiety, such as cholesterol or cholesterol derivative, is spaced from the polynucleotide by a substantially linear hydrocarbon group. Due to an absence of significantly polar groups and/or exchangeable protons in the vicinity of the lipophilic moiety, the interaction between the lipophilic moiety and cell membranes is enhanced to provide for efficient entry into cells.

Abstract: This invention may be used in human and veterinary medicine for the creation of a drug that is effective in the treatment of oncological illnesses in animals and humans. Summary of the Invention Modified antisense oligonucleotides with anticancer properties and methods of obtaining them, distinct in that in the capacity of oligonucleotides, a mixture of the products of the hydrolysis of polynucleotides is used, and modification is done through changing the molecular charges of the nucleotide bases to their opposites; they thereby obtain antisense properties. The hydrolysis of polynucleotides leads to the application of natural or synthetic nucleases, acid or alkaline hydrolysis, and modification of the structure through the acylation of the amino groups of mononucleotides in the structure of oligonucleotides by dicarboxylic acids or through their alkylation by halogen-carboxylic acids.

Abstract: Methods of generating nucleic acid fragments of substantially uniform length from sample nucleic acids comprising linearly stretching the sample nucleic acids over a substrate having a plurality of cleavage regions separated by relatively consistent distances, cleaving the linearly stretched sample nucleic acids at the cleavage regions, and collecting the resulting nucleic acid fragments. The method may further include collecting and concentrating the resultant nucleic acid fragments of substantially uniform length.

Abstract: Method for the synthesis of nucleotide derivatives wherein molecules of interest are grafted on the oligonucleotide with the help of a “click chemistry” reaction between an azide function on the molecule of interest and an alkyne function on the oligonucleotide, or between an alkyne function on the molecule of interest and an azide function on the oligonucleotide. Intermediate molecules, notably alkyne functionalized oligonucleotides, grafted oligonucleotides, azide functionalized oligonucleotides, oligonucleotide micro arrays containing them and the use of those grafted oligonucleotides for biological investigation and for cell targeting.

Abstract: A nucleic acid cleavage complex is disclosed, which includes: a nanoparticle, a nucleic acid cleavage reagent, and a polynucleotide chain specifically recognizing a sequence of a target nucleic acid and having a first terminal and a second terminal opposite to the first terminal, wherein the first terminal is connected to the nanoparticle, the second terminal is connected to the nucleic acid cleavage reagent, and the first terminal sequence and the second terminal sequence are base-paired to make the polynucleotide chain form a hairpin. Also, a method for using the nucleic acid cleavage complex is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides a unique composition which includes a DNA dendrimer combined with siRNA molecule. Further, methods of preparing a composition which includes a DNA dendrimer combined with a siRNA molecule, methods of protecting a DNA dendrimer siRNA complex against degradation in body fluids, methods of protecting a DNA dendrimer against degradation in bodily fluids, and methods of delivering a DNA dendrimer into bodily fluids are provided.

Abstract: Novel rhodamine dye compounds, labelled conjugates comprising the dyes are described, together with methods for their use. The dyes and labelled conjugates are useful as molecular probes in a variety of applications, such as in assays involving staining of cells, protein binding, and analysis of nucleic acids, such as hybridization assays and nucleic acid sequencing.

Abstract: Purified genes encoding a cytokine or composite cytokine from a mammal, reagents related thereto including purified proteins, specific antibodies, and nucleic acids encoding these molecules are provided. Methods of using said reagents and diagnostic kits are also provided.

Abstract: DNA oligomers comprising sequences that are absent from the genome of one or more organisms of interest are used as reference markers (RMs). The RMs are added to biological samples to “tag” and subsequently identify the samples as authentic and to distinguish tagged samples from samples obtained without said markers, for example, in forensic, medical, legal and other applications.

Abstract: The disclosure encompasses caged compounds such as caged nucleoside phosphoesters (caged nucleotides). In an embodiment, the caged nucleotides include compounds corresponding to those described by formula (I) that may be activated by two-photon excitation, and methods of synthesis of such compounds. 8-Bromo-7-hydroxyquinoline-caged ATP was synthesized and examined for its photochemistry as a biologically useful, temporally and spatially controlled ATP-releasing reagent. The combination of two-photon excitation hydrolysis and activation of caged ATP enables methods for finely focusing ATP activation at the sub-cellular level or to a greater depth of activation, thereby providing improved resolution of ATP-dependent processes at the cellular level.

Abstract: The present invention refers to methods for selectively recognizing a base pair in a DNA sequence by a polypeptide, to modified polypeptides which specifically recognize one or more base pairs in a DNA sequence and, to DNA which is modified so that it can be specifically recognized by a polypeptide and to uses of the polypeptide and DNA in specific DNA targeting as well as to methods of modulating expression of target genes in a cell.

Abstract: A method of quickly producing a vaccine for a biotype of pathogenic microorganism is described, where a nucleic acid molecule or fragment thereof is obtained from a biological sample from an animal exposed to the microorganism, a protective molecule is prepared based on the nucleic acid molecule of interest or fragment thereof, and administered to an animal which has been or is as risk of being exposed to the microorganism. A protective response to the biotype of the microorganism is obtained in the animal.

Abstract: A method for generating human IgG1 antibodies with enhanced Fc effector function is disclosed. In practicing the method, an IgG1 Fc look-through mutagenesis (LTM) coding library directed at four receptor-contact regions of the Fc CH2 portion in human IgG1. Fc is expressed in a system in which the mutated Fc fragments are displayed on the surfaces of the expression cells. The fragments are then screened for altered binding affinity to a selected Fc receptor or other Fc-binding protein. The selected mutations may be used, in turn, to guide the selection of multiple substitutions in the construction of a walk-through mutation (WTM) library, for generating additional Fc fragment mutations with desired binding properties. The antibodies so produced have a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for inhibiting gene expression using double stranded RNA molecules that are between 15 and 21 nucleotides in length and are complementary to a target gene sequence.

Abstract: Methods for treating nucleic acid including: (a) providing an alkali environment to a nucleic acid sample; (b) reacting the nucleic acid sample with a bisulphite reagent and incubating the reaction so as to form a treated nucleic acid sample where methylated nucleotides in the nucleic acid sample remain unchanged while unmethylated nucleotides are converted to another form; (c) removing unwanted reagents or diluents from the treated nucleic acid sample; and (d) carrying out de-sulphonation of the precipitated treated nucleic acid at a temperature from 70° C. to 95° C. by adjusting the precipitated treated nucleic acid to a pH of between 10 and less than 12.5 to remove sulphonate groups present on the treated nucleic acid and obtain a nucleic acid sample substantially free of sulphonate groups.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting of an analyte in a solution phase comprises a plurality of functionalised silver nanoplates wherein a functionalising agent is directly bonded to the surfaces of the nanoplates. The nanoplates provide a detectable wavelength shift change in their local surface plasmon resonance spectrum in response to the binding of an analyte. Two or more of the nanoplates may be electromagnetically coupled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new methods and reagents for coupling molecules by a Click reaction using a heterogeneous catalyst system.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a poly(alkoxylated) oligonucleotide is provided. The process comprises reacting an oligonucleotide which has been purified by ultrafiltration with a poly(alkoxide) thereby to form a poly(alkoxylated) oligonucleotide. The poly(alkoxyalted) oligonucleotide may be separated from non-poly(alkoxyalted) oligonucleotide by ultrafiltration under denaturing conditions, such as the presence of organic solvents, for example, ethanol; the presence of urea; the addition of chaotropic salts, for example perchlorate and guanidinium salts; the presence of formamide; and the application of heat, for example a temperature of up to about 70° C.

Abstract: 5-bromo-2?-deoxy-uridine (BrdU) labeled nucleotide triphosphates and nucleic acid probes are described herein. The BrdU labeled nucleotide triphosphates include a linker between the nucleotide triphosphate and the BrdU moiety. The linker can be cleavable or non-cleavable. The nucleotide triphosphates can be a ribonucleotide triphosphates, 2?-deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates or 2?,3?-dideoxyribonucleotide triphosphates. The nucleic acid probes can be used for in situ hybridization.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for detecting tumor-associated RNA in plasma, serum, and other bodily fluids. In particular, the invention provides methods for detecting translocated gene RNA, including fusion gene RNA, in plasma or serum or other bodily fluids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selecting an intron for enhanced expression of a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide, comprising: a) determining a mean free energy value per base pair of one or more introns; b) determining a mean IMEter score of the one or more introns of (a); and c) selecting an intron having a mean free energy value per base pair of below about ?0.268 kcal/mol/bp and a mean IMEter score of at least about ?0.034/bp, thereby selecting an intron for enhanced expression of a nucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide, wherein expression of a nucleotide sequence operably associated with the selected intron is enhanced as compared to expression of a nucleotide sequence not operably associated with an intron having a mean free energy value per base pair of below about ?0.268 kcal/mol/bp and a mean IMEter score of at least about ?0.034/bp.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simple, economical method for introducing substituent (I) at the 2?-hydroxyl group of the ribose of a ribonucleic acid derivative whose 3?-hydroxyl group and 5?-hydroxyl group are protected with a silicon protecting group, wherein WG1 represents an electron-withdrawing group: The invention also relates to a method for producing a ribonucleic acid derivative of formula (3), comprising the reaction of a ribonucleic acid derivative of formula (1) with a monothioacetal compound of formula (2) to produce the ribonucleic acid derivative of formula (3), using iodine as the reagent for halogenating the sulfur atom of the monothioacetal compound of formula (2) in the presence of an acid: In formulae (1), (2), and (3), Bz represents a nucleobase which may or may not have a protecting group; WG1 represents an electron-withdrawing group; R3 represents alkyl or aryl; and A represents a silicon substituent.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying viral positive biological fluid donations in the fewest number of test cycles. The method comprises providing biological fluid donations and defining an n-dimensional matrix comprising a multiplicity of elements, each element being identified by a matrix notation comprising an index for each dimension of the array. Samples are taken from each fluid donation and mapped to a matrix element with each sample identified by its corresponding element's notation; n aliquots being taken from each sample and subpools formed from the aliquots with each subpool containing an aliquot from all samples mapped to elements in which one of the dimensional indices is fixed. Subpools are tested for viral indication and the dimensional index of each subpool that returns a positive viral indication is determined. The dimensional indices are combined to identify a subset of matrix elements that contain a viral positive sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified oligonucleotide, its preparation and application. The invention enables stabilizing the oligonucleotide by introducing a relatively small amount of modified nucleotide at specific UA/UA and/or CA/UG and/or UG/CA site of the oligonucleotide, therefore to decrease the modification-related cytotoxicity and compromising effects on the biological activity.