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 3'blocked promoter oligonucleotide and optionally, a means for terminating a primer extension reaction, to amplify RNA or DNA molecules in vitro, while reducing or eliminating the formation of side-products. The method of the present invention minimizes or eliminates the emergence of side-products, thus providing a high level of specificity. Furthermore, the appearance of side-products can complicate the analysis of the amplification reaction by various molecular detection techniques. The present invention minimizes or eliminates this problem, thus providing an enhanced level of sensitivity.
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 3'blocked promoter oligonucleotide and optionally, a means for terminating a primer extension reaction, to amplify RNA or DNA molecules in vitro, while reducing or eliminating the formation of side-products. The method of the present invention minimizes or eliminates the emergence of side-products, thus providing a high level of specificity. Furthermore, the appearance of side-products can complicate the analysis of the amplification reaction by various molecular detection techniques. The present invention minimizes or eliminates this problem, thus providing an enhanced level of sensitivity.
Abstract:
Method of detecting methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) in a nucleic acid coamplification assay. The invention advantageously reduces the incidence of false-positive MRSA determinations in real-time assays by requiring satisfaction of a threshold criterion that excludes certain co-infections from the MRSA determination. The invention further provides for determination of MSSA, even when the MSSA is present in combination with methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative (MR-CoNS) bacteria at high or low levels.
Abstract:
Method of detecting methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) in a nucleic acid coamplification assay. The invention advantageously reduces the incidence of false-positive MRSA determinations in real-time assays by requiring satisfaction of a threshold criterion that excludes certain co-infections from the MRSA determination. The invention further provides for determination of MSSA, even when the MSSA is present in combination with methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative (MR-CoNS) bacteria at high or low levels.
Abstract:
Methods for quantitating an initial amount of a target nucleic acid in a sample which has been subjected to in vitro nucleic acid amplification to produce data that is analyzed by using a Fourier Transform based algorithm are disclosed.
Abstract:
Methods for efficiently capturing a target nucleic acid from a sample by using a mixture that contains a capture probe specific for the target nucleic acid, the target nucleic acid, and a denaturant chemical, which mixture is incubated at elevated temperature for a short time, are disclosed. Compositions that include a capture probe that specifically binds to a target nucleic acid and a denaturant chemical, which when mixed with the target nucleic acid and incubated at elevated temperature for a short time, promote efficient hybridization of the capture probe and target nucleic acid 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 3'blocked promoter oligonucleotide and optionally, a means for terminating a primer extension reaction, to amplify RNA or DNA molecules in vitro , while reducing or eliminating the formation of side-products. The method of the present invention minimizes or eliminates the emergence of side-products, thus providing a high level of specificity. Furthermore, the appearance of side-products can complicate the analysis of the amplification reaction by various molecular detection techniques. The present invention minimizes or eliminates this problem, thus providing an enhanced level of sensitivity.
Abstract:
The invention provides chimeric capture probes immobilizable via an L-nucleic acid tail that can bind to a complementary L-nucleic acid in an immobilized probe. The capture probes are useful for capturing a target nucleic acid from a sample. The L-nucleic acid in the tail of the capture probe bind to the complementary L-nucleic acid in the immobilized probe with similar affinity as would otherwise equivalent D-nucleic acids. However, the L-nucleic acid of the capture probe tail and immobilized probes do not form stable duplexes with D-nucleic acids present in the in the sample containing the target nucleic acid. Binding of nucleic acids in the sample directly to immobilized probe or to the tail of the capture probe is reduced or eliminated increasing the sensitivity and/or specificity of the assay.
Abstract:
Novel methods of synthesizing multiple copies of a target nucleic acid sequence which are autocatalytic are disclosed (/. 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, methods of nucleic acid amplification are disclosed which are robust and efficient, while reducing the appearance of side-products. In general, the methods use priming oligonucleotides that target only one sense of a target nucleic acid, 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 disclosed methods minimizes or substantially eliminate the emergence of side-products, thus providing ahigh level of specificity. Furthermore, the appearance of side-products can complicate the analysis of the amplification reaction by various molecular detection techniques. The disclosed methods minimize or substantially eliminate this problem, thus providing enhanced levels of sensitivity.
Abstract:
Methods for capturing a target nucleic acid from a sample by using a capture probe that binds nonspecifically to the target nucleic acid and binds specifically to an immobilized probe via a specific binding pair that has one member on the capture probe and one member on the immobilized probe are disclosed. Compositions that include a capture probe that binds nonspecifically to a target nucleic acid and specifically to an immobilized probe via binding of members of a specific binding pair in a solution phase of a reaction mixture are disclosed.