Amoco Corporation

Chiron Corporation

Other

Perkinelmer Las, Inc.

Perkinelmer Instruments LLC

Bayer Corporation

Vysis, Inc.

Mark L Collins

Michael S Urdea

Andrew Tipler

Brian David Warner

Gary J Campbell

David V Morrissey

Thomas Horn

Patrick J Sheridan

John K Eldredge

Timothy J Fultz

Ayoub Rashtchian

David J Lane

Susan M Barns

Kevin R Kearney

James E Awell

Ray A McMillian

Donald N Halbert

Danahey Ryan

Bruce P Neri

Walter King

Jonathan M Lawrie

David Gillespie

Massimo Lombardo

Cecile Blomquist

John S Curtis

An analyte pre-concentrator for gas chromatography is disclosed generally comprising a tube packed with an adsorbent, wherein the tube may serve as the liner of a chromatographic injector, as an adsorbent trap coupled to a chromatographic column, and/or as an adsorbent trap coupled to a headspace sampler. Preferably, a heating device allows the tube to be heated. In a preferred embodiment, the analyte pre-concentrator further comprises a column isolating accessory so that a chromatographic column can be temporarily isolated from substances flowing through the tube.

Analyte pre-concentrator for gas chromatography

An analyte pre-concentrator for gas chromatography is disclosed generally comprising a tube having a restricted outlet and packed with an adsorbent, wherein the tube serves as the liner of a chromatographic injector, as an adsorbent trap coupled to a chromatographic column, and/or as an adsorbent trap coupled to a headspace sampler. Preferably, a heating device allows the tube to be heated. In a preferred embodiment, the analyte pre-concentrator further comprises a column isolating accessory so that a chromatographic column can be temporarily isolated from substances flowing through the tube.

The invention is a method of detecting nucleic acids in a sample using oligonucleotide probes which are noncovalently bound to solid supports for rapid, sensitive, hybridization assays. The method involves coating the support surface with a polynucleotide and then hybridizing a specific capture probe for each analyte to the polynucleotide by way of a short tail of the complementary polynucleotide. The immobilized probes are used to capture nucleic acid targets out of complex specimens for nonisotopic detection without the need for prior cell culture or purification of the target nucleic acids. A panel of tests can be run on each specimen simultaneously, a format that conserves precious samples. The assay can be readily automated, and can be conveniently run in a manual fashion on large numbers of samples in two to three hours.

Immobilized oligonucleotide probes and uses thereof

Methods are provided for substantially reducing background signals encountered in nucleic acid hybridization assays. The method is premised on the elimination or significant reduction of the phenomenon of nonspecific hybridization, so as to provide a detectable signal which is produced only in the presence the target polynucleotide of interest. In addition, a novel method for the chemical synthesis of isoguanosine or 2&prime;-deoxy-isoguanosine is provided. The invention also has applications in antisense and aptamer therapeutics and drug discovery.

Reduction of nonspecific hybridization by using novel base-pairing schemes

Methods are provided for substantially reducing background signals encountered in nucleic acid hybridization assays. The method is premised on the elimination or significant reduction of the phenomenon of nonspecific hybridization, so as to provide a detectable signal which is produced only in the presence the target polynucleotide of interest. In addition, a novel method for the chemical synthesis of isoguanosine or 2'-deoxy-isoguanosine is provided. The invention also has applications in antisense and aptamer therapeutics and drug discovery.

Reduction of nonspecific hybridization by using novel base-pairing

Methods, compositions and instruments for performing affinity assays for target molecules include contacting a sample with a retrievable support capable of forming a substantially homogenous dispersion within a sample medium and reversibly binding to the target molecule. The retrievable support is capable of being separated from the sample medium recapturing the target molecule from other constituents of the sample.

Target and background capture methods and apparatus for affinity assays

Novel reagents are provided along with methods for their use in nucleic acid hybridization assays for detecting target nucleic acids in samples. The most preferred reagent is a mixture of guanidinium thiocyanate and tetramethylammonium:Trifluoracetate and possesses many properties for facilitating hybridization between target nucleic acid and nucleic acid probes capable of binding thereto and surprisingly results in the phenomenon of superstoichiometric labeling.

Hybridization promotion reagents

A method of assay for target polynucleotides includes steps of isolating target polynucleotides from extraneous non-target polynucleotides, debris, and impurities and amplifying the target polynucleotide.

Target and background capture methods with amplification for affinity

This invention provides a method of detecting or determining a binding oligonucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence which binds within a known nucleotide sequence of a target nucleic acid using a technique called hybritope mapping. This invention also provides a method of using hybritope mapping to obtain discontinuous probes that bind to a target nucleic acid.

Discontinuous probe design using hybritope mapping

The present invention features a vessel for isolating a target in a sample. The vessel includes at least one reaction chamber, a wash system and an effluent system. The reaction chamber includes a closed cell adapted to receive a support, a sample potentially containing target and at least one first probe, and thereafter being closed. The probe is capable of associating with the support and the target to form a support-probe-target complex and sample debris upon imposition of probe binding conditions within the reaction chamber. A wash system is capable of introducing solutions into the reaction chamber for washing the support to solubilize and suspend sample debris. Upon imposition of wash conditions, solutions are allowed to enter the reaction chamber to solubilize such sample debris. An Effluent system is in communication with the reaction chamber and capable of receiving sample debris and wash solutions. The vessel receives the sample, binds the target, if present, to the support, allows wash solutions to remove sample debris, and removes wash solutions and sample debris through the effluent system, leaving target isolated on the support.

Closed vessel for isolating target molecules and for performing

Methods for improving the sensitivity of hybridization assays which reduce non-specific binding (NSB) and non-specific hybridization (NSH) are disclosed. The methods include a washing method utilizing tetraalkylammonium salts at high temperatures, and release methods in which a probe-target complex is released from a solid support and recaptured. Use of both the washing and release methods results in substantial reduction in NSB and NSH without performing several rounds of release and recapture of the target nucleic acids.

Growing community of inventors

Holden, MA, United States of America

Mark L Collins