Abstract:
This invention relates to methods for detecting and sequencing target nucleic acid sequences, to mass modified nucleic acid probes and arrays of probes useful in these methods, and to kits and systems which contain these probes. Useful methods involve hybridizing the nucleic acids or nucleic acids which represent complementary or homologous sequences of the target to an array of nucleic acid probes. These probes comprise a single-stranded portion, an optional double-stranded portion and a variable sequence within the single-stranded portion. The molecular weights of the hybridized nucleic acids of the set can be determined by mass spectroscopy, and the sequence of the target determined from the molecular weights of the fragments. Nucleic acids whose sequences can be determined include DNA or RNA in biological samples such as patient biopsies and environmental samples. Probes may be fixed to a solid support such as a hybridization chip to facilitate automated molecular weight analysis and identification of the target sequence.
Abstract:
Open systems for performing submicroliter reactions are provided. The systems can include a support for performing the reaction; a liquid dispensing system for dispensing a submicroliter amount of a liquid to a site on or in the support; a temperature controlling device for regulating the temperature of the support; and an interface for controlling the amount of liquid dispensed from the liquid dispensing system are provided. Methods using the systems are also provided.
Abstract:
A mass spectrometric method for sequencing nucleic acids using RNA polymerases, including DNA-dependent and RNA-dependent RNA polymerases, is provided. The methods use a modified Sanger sequencing strategy in which RNA polymerase is used to generate a set of nested RNA transcripts obtained by base-specific chain termination. These are analyzed by mass spectrometry. A method of identifying transcriptional terminator sequences or attenuator sequences is also provided.
Abstract:
This invention relates to methods for detecting and sequencing target nucleic acid sequences, to mass modified nucleic acid probes and arrays of probes useful in these methods, and to kits and systems which contain these probes. Useful methods involve hybridizing the nucleic acids or nucleic acids which represent complementary or homologous sequences of the target to an array of nucleic acid probes. These probes comprise a single-stranded portion, an optional double-stranded portion and a variable sequence within the single-stranded portion. The molecular weights of the hybridized nucleic acids of the set can be determined by mass spectroscopy, and the sequence of the target determined from the molecular weights of the fragments. Nucleic acids whose sequences can be determined include DNA or RNA in biological samples such as patient biopsies and environmental samples. Probes may be fixed to a solid support such as a hybridization chip to facilitate automated molecular weight analysis and identification of the target sequence.
Abstract:
An open system is provided for performing a submicroliter reaction. An open system can contain a solid support having a target site for performing the reaction; a liquid dispensing system such as a nanoliter dispensing pipette for dispensing a submicroliter amount of a liquid to the target site; a temperature controlling device for regulating the temperature of the support; and means for controlling the amount of liquid dispensed, which corresponds to the amount of liquid that evaporates from the target site. Also provided is an open system, including a solid support having a target site; a liquid dispensing system, which can dispense a liquid to the target site; a temperature controlling system, which regulates the temperature of the solid support; and an interface, which regulates an amount of liquid dispensed from the liquid dispensing system. Also provided is a method for performing a reaction in a submicroliter volume in an unsealed environment by dispensing a submicroliter volume of liquid onto the surface of a support; monitoring the temperature of the support; monitoring an amount or rate of evaporation of the liquid; and dispensing to the surface of the support a further amount of the liquid, which corresponds to the amount lost from the support due to evaporation, thereby maintaining the reaction volume at a predetermined volume throughout the course of the reaction. A method also is provided for maintaining a volume of a reaction mixture, which can be one of a plurality of reaction mixtures, on a solid support in an unsealed environment by monitoring the rate of evaporation of a liquid from the reaction mixture; and dispensing into the reaction mixture an amount of liquid that corresponds to the amount that evaporates.
Abstract:
Compounds and methods are described for producing streptavidin mutants with changed affinities. In particular, modifications to the sequence of the natural streptavidin gene is described to create amino acid substitutions resulting in greater affinity for biotin substitutes than for biotin.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to methods of detecting nucleic acids in a biological sample. The method is based on a novel combination of a base extension reaction, which provides excellent analytical specificity, and a mass spectrometric analysis, which provides excellent specificity. The method can be used, for example, for diagnostic, prognostic and treatment purposes. The method allows accurate detection of nucleic acids that are present in very small amounts in a biological sample. For example, the method of the present invention is preferably used to detect fetal nucleic acid in a maternal blood sample; circulating tumor-specific nucleic acids in a blood, urine or stool sample; and donor-specific nucleic acids in transplant recipients. In another embodiment, one can detect viral, bacterial, fungal, or other foreign nucleic acids in a biological sample.
Abstract:
Provided herein are substrates for matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometric analysis. Each spot includes 3-hydroxypicolinic acid matrix and no analyte.
Abstract:
Systems, methods, and apparatus for determining at least a portion of fetal genome are provided. DNA fragments from a maternal sample (maternal and fetal DNA) can be analyzed to identify alleles at certain loci. The amounts of DNA fragments of the respective alleles at these loci can be analyzed together to determine relative amounts of the haplotypes for these loci and determine which haplotypes have been inherited from the parental genomes. Loci where the parents are a specific combination of homozygous and heterozygous can be analyzed to determine regions of the fetal genome. Reference haplotypes common in the population can be used along with the analysis of the DNA fragments of the maternal sample to determine the maternal and paternal genomes. Determination of mutations, a fractional fetal DNA concentration in a maternal sample, and a proportion of coverage of a sequencing of the maternal sample can also be provided.
Abstract:
Systems, methods, and apparatus for determining at least a portion of fetal genome are provided. DNA fragments from a maternal sample (maternal and fetal DNA) can be analyzed to identify alleles at certain loci. The amounts of DNA fragments of the respective alleles at these loci can be analyzed together to determine relative amounts of the haplotypes for these loci and determine which haplotypes have been inherited from the parental genomes. Loci where the parents are a specific combination of homozygous and heterozygous can be analyzed to determine regions of the fetal genome. Reference haplotypes common in the population can be used along with the analysis of the DNA fragments of the maternal sample to determine the maternal and paternal genomes. Determination of mutations, a fractional fetal DNA concentration in a maternal sample, and a proportion of coverage of a sequencing of the maternal sample can also be provided.