Visible Genetics Inc.

Marina T Larson

James M Dunn

James Leushner

May Hui

John K Stevens

Alexandre M Izmailov

Paul Waterhouse

Jean-Michel Lacroix

Thomas D Yager

Bruno C Maruzzo

Robert Shipman

Sequencing of a selected region of a target nucleic acid polymer in a natural abundance DNA sample can be performed in a single vessel by combining the sample with a sequencing mixture containing a primer pair, a thermally stable polymerase such as Thermo Sequenase&trade; which incorporates dideoxynucleotides into an extending nucleic acid polymer at a rate which is no less than about 0.4 times the rate of incorporation of deoxynucleotides, nucleotide feedstocks, and a chain terminating nucleotide. The reaction mixture also includes an unconventional nucleotide and an appropriate enzyme for degradation of nucleic acid polymers containing the unconventional nucleotide. The mixture is processed through multiple thermal cycles for annealing, extension and denaturation to produce a product mixture which is analyzed by electrophoresis.

Method for sequencing of nucleic acid polymers

A microelectrophoresis chip comprises a substrate in which there are formed one or more channels, one channel for each sample to be evaluated. The channels extend for the length of the chip, a distance of generally around 1 cm, and are about 1 to 10 &mgr;m wide and 1 to 10 &mgr;m in depth. The channels are filled with a homogeneous separation matrix which acts as an obstacle to the electrophoretic migration of the charged molecules. Microelectrodes disposed in the channels are used to induce an electric filed within the homogeneous separation medium. When a voltage is applied across two or more of the microelectrodes, the charged molecules are induced to move and separate according to the electric field density, the type of solvent film, and the charge, shape and size of the charged molecule. The chip may further comprise detectors, such as light polarization detectors, fluorescence emission detectors, biosensors, electrochemical sensors or other microcomponents which may include sites for enzymatic or chemical manipulation of the moved or separated charged molecules.

Micro-electrophoresis chip for moving and separating nucleic acids and other charged molecules

A microelectrophoresis chip comprises a substrate in which there are formed one or more channels, one channel for each sample to be evaluated. The channels extend for the length of the chip, a distance of generally around 1 cm, and are about 1 to 10 &mgr;m wide and 1 to 10 &mgr;m in depth. The channels are filled with a homogeneous separation matrix which acts as an obstacle to the electrophoretic migration of the charged molecules. Microelectrodes disposed in the channels are used to induce an electric field within the homogeneous separation medium. When a voltage is applied across two or more of the microelectrodes, the charged molecules are induced to move and separate according to the electric field density, the type of solvent film, and the charge, shape and size of the charged molecule. The chip may further comprise detectors, such as light polarization detectors, fluorescence emission detectors, biosensors, electrochemical sensors or other microcomponents which may include sites for enzymatic or chemical manipulation of the moved or separated charged molecules.

Nanofabricated separation matrix for analysis of biopolymers and methods

A method is provided for simultaneously determining the positions of a selected nucleotide base in a target region of both strands of a denatured duplex nucleic acid polymer. The nucleic acid polymer is combined with a reactant mixture comprising first and second oligonucleotide primers, said primers binding to the sense and antisense strands, respectively, of the nucleic acid polymer at a location flanking the target region; a thermostable DNA polymerase; a chain-terminating nucleotide triphosphate complementary to the selected nucleotide base; and other reagents for synthesis of chain extension products to form a reaction mixture. This mixture is processed through a plurality of thermal cycles, each including at least a chain extension phase and a denaturation phase to produce chain extension products. These chain extension products are evaluated to determine the positions of the selected bases. The method of the invention differs from the prior art, because the first and second oligonucleotide primers are each labeled with different, spectroscopically-distinguishable fluorescent labels. The method therefore obtains information about both DNA strands simultaneously while providing improved sensitivity as a result of the non-linear increase in the amount of DNA which results from the production of additional templates molecules from unterminated fragments.

Method for bi-directional sequencing of nucleic acid polymers

Evaluation of a sample for the presence and qualitative nature of a microorganism can be performed in a single vessel by combining a natural abundance DNA sample with a sequencing mixture containing a primer pair, a thermally stable polymerase such as ThermoSequenase.TM. which incorporates dideoxynucleotides into an extending nucleic acid polymer at a rate which is no less than about 0.4 times the rate of incorporation of deoxynucleotides, nucleotide triphosphate feedstocks, and a chain terminating nucleotide triphosphate. The mixture is processed through multiple thermal cycles for annealing, extension and denaturation to produce a product mixture which is analyzed by electrophoresis.

Method, compositions and kit for detection and identification of

Sequencing of a selected region of a target nucleic acid polymer in a genomic DNA sample can be performed in a single vessel by combining the sample with a sequencing mixture containing a primer pair, a thermally stable polymerase such as Thermo Sequenase.TM. which incorporates dideoxynucleotides into an extending nucleic acid polymer at a rate which is no less than about 0.4 times the rate of incorporation of deoxynucleotides, nucleotide feedstocks, and a chain terminating nucleotide. The mixture is processed through multiple thermal cycles for annealing, extension and denaturation to produce a product mixture which is analyzed by electrophoresis.

Method for single-tube sequencing of nucleic acid polymers

Amplification and sequencing of a selected region of a target nucleic acid polymer are be performed in a single vessel. The sample is added to an amplification mixture containing a thermally stable polymerase and nucleoside feedstocks. Chain terminating dideoxynucleosides are added either at the beginning of the amplification reaction or during the course of the amplification. A thermally stable polymerase which incorporates dideoxynucleotides into an extending oligonucleotide at a rate which is no less than about 0.4 times the rate of incorporation of deoxynucleosides can be used in the amplification mixture or added with the chain terminating nucleoside.

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Silverthorne, CO, United States of America

Marina T Larson