Curagen Corporation

University of California

Michael W Deem

Jonathan Marc Rothberg

John W Simpson

Gregory T Went

Joel S Bader

Gregory T Mulhern

Steven A Henck

Marco Falcioni

The present invention discloses a methodology which is directed to providing positive confirmation that nucleic acids, possessing putatively identified sequences predicted to generate observed GeneCalling&trade; signals, are actually present within the sample from which the signal was originally derived. The putatively identified nucleic acid fragment within the sample possesses 3&prime;- and 5&prime;-ends with known terminal subsequences. The method involves contacting nucleic acid fragments in a sample in amplifying conditions with (i) a nucleic acid polymerase; (ii) &ldquo;regular&rdquo; primer oligonucleotides having sequences comprising hybridizable portions of known terminal subsequences; and (iii) a &ldquo;poisoning&rdquo; oligonucleotide primer. Nucleic acids amplified with a poisoning primer are distinguishable upon detection from nucleic acids amplified with regular primers.

Detection and confirmation of nucleic acid sequences by use of poisoning oligonucleotides

Methods for generating multiple rounds of combinatorial libraries, which use Monte Carlo methods to search the multi-dimensional composition and non-composition space of variables in combinatorial chemistry; the combinatorial libraries generated and screened by such Monte Carlo methods; and an apparatus for generating and screening such libraries robotically. The process involves preparing a first set of samples, then changing the composition and non-composition variables of the samples using Monte Carlo sampling methods, and accepting proposed new samples according to a detailed balance acceptance criterion.

Library design in combinatorial chemistry by Monte Carlo methods

This invention provides methods by which biologically derived DNA sequences in a mixed sample or in an arrayed single sequence clone can be determined and classified without sequencing. The methods make use of information on the presence of carefully chosen target subsequences, typically of length from 4 to 8 base pairs, and preferably the length between target subsequences in a sample DNA sequence together with DNA sequence databases containing lists of sequences likely to be present in the sample to determine a sample sequence. The preferred method uses restriction endonucleases to recognize target subsequences and cut the sample sequence. Then carefully chosen recognition moieties are ligated to the cut fragments, the fragments amplified, and the experimental observation made. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the preferred method of amplification. Another embodiment of the invention uses information on the presence or absence of carefully chosen target subsequences in a single sequence clone together with DNA sequence databases to determine the clone sequence. Computer implemented methods are provided to analyze the experimental results and to determine the sample sequences in question and to carefully choose target subsequences in order that experiments yield a maximum amount of information.

Method and apparatus for identifying, classifying, or quantifying protein sequences in a sample without sequencing

Method and apparatus for identifying, classifying, or quantifying DNA sequences in a sample without sequencing

In a specific embodiment, this invention includes a method for determining an accurate, consensus pharmacophore structure shared by compounds that bind selectively to a target molecule. Optionally, the method begins with screening a diversity library against the target molecule of interest to pick the selectively binding members. Next the structure of the selected members is examined and a candidate pharmacophore responsible for the binding to the target molecule is determined. Next, preferably by REDOR nuclear magnetic resonance, several highly accurate interatomic distances are determined in certain of the selected members which are related to the candidate pharmacophore. A highly accurate consensus, configurational bias, Monte Carlo method determination of the structure of the candidate pharmacophore is made using the structure of the selected members and incorporating as constraints the shared candidate pharmacophore and the several measured distances. This determination is adapted to efficiently examine only relatively low energy configurations while respecting any structural constraints present in the organic diversity library. If the diversity library contains short peptides, the determination respects the known degrees of freedom of peptides as well as any internal constraints, such as those imposed by disulfide bridges. Finally, the highly accurate pharmacophore so determined is used to select lead organics for drug development targeted at the initial target molecule.

Consensus configurational bias Monte Carlo method and system for pharmacophore structure determination

Method and apparatus for indentifying, classifying, or quantifying protein sequences in a sample without sequencing

This invention relates to a method and device for separating charged particles according to their diffusivities in a separation medium by means of a spatially and temporally varying electric potential. The method is particularly suited to sizing and separating DNA fragments, to generating DNA fragment length polymorphism patterns, and to sequencing DNA through the separation of DNA sequencing reaction products. The method takes advantage of the transport of charged particles subject to an electric potential that is cycled between an off-state (in which the potential is flat) and one or more on-states, in which the potential is preferably spatially periodic with a plurality of eccentrically shaped stationary potential wells. The potential wells are at constant spatial positions in the on-state. Differences in liquid-phase diffusivities lead to charged particle separation. A preferred embodiment of the device is microfabricated. A separation medium fills physically defined separation lanes in the device. Electrodes deposited substantially transverse to the lanes create the required electric potentials. Advantageously, injection ports allow sample loading, and special gating electrodes focus the sample prior to separation. The effects of thermal gradients are minimized by placing the device in contact with a thermal control module, preferably a plurality of Peltier-effect heat transfer devices. The small size of a microfabricated device permits rapid separation in a plurality of separation lanes.

Separation of charged particles by a spatially and temporally varying electric field

The present invention discloses a methodology which is directed to providing positive confirmation that nucleic acids, possessing putatively identified sequence predicted to generate observed GeneCalling&trade; signals, are actually present within the sample from which the signal was originally derived. The putatively identified nucleic acid fragment within the sample possesses 3&prime;- and 5&prime;-ends with known terminal subsequences, said method comprising; contacting said nucleic acid fragments in said sample in amplifying conditions with (i) a nucleic acid polymerase; (ii) &ldquo;regular&rdquo; primer oligonucleotides having sequences comprising hybridizable portions of said known terminal subsequences; and (iii) a &ldquo;poisoning&rdquo; oligonucleotide primer, said poisoning primer having a sequence comprising a first subsequence that is a portion of the sequence of one of said known terminal subsequences and a second subsequence that is a hybridizable portion of said putatively unidentified sequence which is adjacent to said one known terminal subsequence, wherein nucleic acids amplified with said poisoning primer are distinguishable upon detection from nucleic acids amplified with said nucleic acids amplified only with said regular primers; separating the products of the contacting step; and the detecting sequence is confirmed if the nucleic acids amplified with said poisoning primer are detected.

Method for identifying a nucleic acid sequence

Method and apparatus for identifying classifying or quantifying DNA

This invention provides methods by which biologically derived DNA sequences in a mixed sample or in an arrayed single sequence clone can be determined and classified without sequencing. The methods make use of information on the presence of carefully chosen target subsequences, typically of length from 4 to 8 base pairs, and preferably the length between target subsequences in a sample DNA sequence together with DNA sequence databases containing lists of sequences likely to be present in the sample to determine a sample sequence. The preferred method uses restriction endonucleases to recognize target subsequences and cut the sample sequence. Then carefully chosen recognition moieties are ligated to the cut fragments, the fragments amplified, and the experimental observation made. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the preferred method of amplification. Several alternative embodiments are described which capable of increased discrimination and which use TypeIIS restriction endonucleases, various capture moieties, or samples of specially synthesized cDNA. Another embodiment of the invention uses information on the presence or absence of carefully chosen target subsequences in a single sequence clone together with DNA sequence databases to determine the clone sequence. Computer implemented methods are provided to analyze the experimental results and to determine the sample sequences in question and to carefully choose target subsequences in order that experiments yield a maximum amount of information.

Apparatus for identifying, classifying, or quantifying DNA sequences in

This invention relates to a method and device for separating charged particles according to their diffusivities in a separation medium by means of a spatially and temporarily varying electric potential. The method is particularly suited to sizing and separating DNA fragments, to generating DNA fragment length polymorphism patterns, and to sequencing DNA through the separation of DNA sequencing reaction products. The method takes advantage of the transport of charged particles subject to an electric potential that is cycled between an off-state (in which the potential is flat) and one or more on-states, in which the potential is preferably spatially periodic with a plurality of eccentrically shaped stationary potential wells. The potential wells are at constant spatial positions in the on-state. Differences in liquid-phase diffusivities lead to charged particle separation. A preferred embodiment of the device is microfabricated. A separation medium fills physically defined separation lanes in the device. Electrodes deposited substantially transverse to the lanes create the required electric potentials. Advantageously, injection ports allow sample loading, and special gating electrodes focus the sample prior to separation. The effects of thermal gradients are minimized by placing the device in contact with a thermal control module, preferably a plurality of Peltier-effect heat transfer devices. The small size of a microfabricated device permits rapid separation in a plurality of separation lanes.

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Cambridge, MA, United States of America

Michael W Deem