Abstract:
This application describes an antibody that specifically binds to a synthetic oligomer (e.g., an oligonucleotide or oligopeptide) having a organic protecting group covalently bound thereto, which antibody does not bind to that synthetic oligomer when the organic protecting group is not covalently bound thereto. Methods of making and using such antibodies are also disclosed, along with cells for making such antibodies and articles carrying immobilized oligomers that can be used in assay procedures with such antibodies.
Abstract:
Cellular mRNA-protein (mRNP) complexes are partitioned in vivo by contacting a biological sample with at least one ligand that specifically binds at least one component of a mRNP complex. Suitable biological samples comprise at least one mRNA-protein (mRNP) complex and include cell cultures, cell extracts, and whole tissue, including tumor tissue. Ligands include antibodies that specifically bind RNA-binding or RNA-associated proteins present in the mRNP complex. The mRNP complex is separated by binding the ligand with a binding molecule specific for the ligand, where the binding molecule is attached to a solid support. The mRNP complex is collected by removing the mRNP complex from the solid support. After collecting the mRNP complex, the mRNA bound within the complex may be characterized and identified. Subsets of the total mRNA population of a cell may accordingly be characterized, and a gene expression profile of the cell obtained.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a hybridization method and kit for the detection and measurement of biological molecules. A test sample containing the biological molecules of interest is hybridized with an unlabeled or optionally a detectably labeled complementary biomolecule to form a double-stranded hybrid immobilized to a solid phase. The immobilized hybrid may be detected with an entity which specifically recognizes an RNA:DNA hybrid, followed by analyses and quantification. Therefore, the present invention provides a method and kit to detect and measure biological molecules that is simple to use, highly specific, sensitive, and accurate for screening a plurality of biological molecules.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method of detecting multiple analytes in a sample in a single assay. The method is based on encoding target molecules with signals followed by decoding of the encoded signal. This encoding/decoding uncouples the detection of a target molecule from the chemical and physical properties of the target molecule. In basic form, the disclosed method involves association of one or more reporter molecules with one or more target samples, association of one or more decoding tags with the reporter molecules, and detection of the decoding tags. The reporter molecules associate with target molecules in the target sample(s). Generally, the reporter molecules correspond to one or more target molecules, and the decoding tags correspond to one or more reporter molecules. Thus, detection of particular decoding tags indicates the presence of the corresponding reporter molecules. In turn, the presence of particular reporter molecules indicates the presence of the corresponding target molecules. The sensitivity of the disclosed method can also be enhanced by including a signal amplification step prior to detection. Medical applications of this method include the analysis of the phenotypic status or replicative status of cells (growth or quiescence) and the assessment of normal and neoplastic cells in histologic or cytologic specimens in normal and disease states. For example, a pathologist may use the method to link a phenotypic state with the protein profile of lesion believed to contain malignant or pre-malignant cells.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods for performing high-throughput biological assays, including immunoassays, nucleic acid detection assays, and related assays. In a preferred embodiment, the target analyte to be detected is a specific mRNA. In another embodiment, the assay monitors the impact of a particular substance or effector on transcription. Alternatively, the target analyte may be a protein, hapten, non-biological chemical, pharmaceutical or other target material. The assay provides high amplification to maximize signal, and utilizes samples which do not require considerable purification.
Abstract:
Methods and compounds are provided for detecting target molecules in a sample using specific binding assays. In particular, methods are provided for detecting a nucleic acid target in a sample. In one embodiment, the method comprises hybridizing a nucleic acid target, comprising a target nucleic acid sequence, to a nucleic acid probe, comprising a probe nucleic acid sequence, wherein the target comprises a binding ligand. The hybridized target is contacted with a receptor comprising multiple sites capable of binding the binding ligand to complex the receptor to the binding ligand, and the receptor is contacted with an amplification reagent, comprising a plurality of the binding ligands, to complex the amplification reagent to the receptor. The presence of the complexed amplification reagent then is detected, for example, by detecting the presence of a detectable label, such as a fluorescent label, for example, on the receptor or the amplification reagent. Optionally, the amplification reagent, comprising a plurality of the binding ligands, is contacted with labeled receptor molecules thereby to complex a plurality of labeled receptor molecules to the amplification reagent, and the labeled receptor molecules complexed to the amplification reagent are detected. This permits the detectable signal to be enhanced and amplified. In one embodiment, the binding ligand is biotin, the receptor is streptavidin, and the amplification reagent is an antibody or a DNA matrix. In another embodiment, an array of different nucleic acid probes immobilized on a surface, each having a defined sequence and location on the surface, may be used in the assays, thus permitting screening and detection of binding of large number of nucleic acids.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method for detecting a single-stranded target nucleic acid comprising the steps of: a) forming a hybrid between a target nucleic acid and a nucleic acid probe, said nucleic acid probe labelled with an enzyme reagent which hydrolyses single-stranded nucleic acid but is substantially without effect on double-stranded nucleic acid, said hybrid formed under conditions of pH which are outside the activity range of said enzyme reagent; b) adjusting said pH to a value within the activity range of said enzyme reagent, whereby said enzyme reagent substantially hydrolyses any single-stranded nucleic acid present; and c) contacting said hybrid with a detection reagent to detect the hybrid, characterised by , prior to step (c), bringing the nucleic acid probe or hybrid into contact with a solid support to attach it thereto or bringing the nucleic acid probe or hybrid into contact with a capture reagent, optionally linked to a solid support, to capture the nucleic acid probe or hybrid; and washing the capture reagent or solid support on which the hybrid is immobilised with a washing fluid while the capture reagent or solid support is contained within a vessel that is adapted to retain the capture reagent or solid support but not to retain fluid in which the capture reagent or solid support is dispersed, whereby material which has not been captured by the capture reagent or otherwise immobilised on a solid support is eluted from the vessel.
Abstract:
The present invention provides methods for the detection and quantitation of any modification of interest in any nucleic acid sequence. In particular, the invention provides methods for detecting and quantitating low levels of modifications of interest in DNA sequences. The methods of the invention take advantage of combining the use of nucleic acid sequence modification-specific molecules which are specific for DNA modifications, of fluorescently labelled proteins which are specific for the nucleic acid sequence modification-specific molecules, of capillary electrophoresis and of laser-induced fluorescence. The methods of the invention are useful for identifying and detecting exposure to carcinogens, in early risk assessment for cancer, and in monitoring of cancer therapy.
Abstract:
The presence or absence of an organism in a sample is detected by isolating the organism from the sample by a suitable affinity matrix, releasing the organism from the affinity matrix, rupturing the cells of the organism to release total nucleic acid and hydrolyzing or digesting the total nucleic acid to form mononucleotides or individual free nucleic acid bases and inorganic phosphate to form an analyte solution, and assaying the analyte solution for the at least one presence of free nucleic acid base or inorganic phosphate to thereby determine whether the organism was present in the sample.
Abstract:
Compositions and methods for detecting or purifying multiple selected nucleic acid molecules are provided. The compositions comprise oligonucleotide-peptide conjugates (OPCs) and antibodies immunologically specific for the conjugates. The oligonucleotide moiety of each conjugate specifically hybridizes with a selected target nucleic acid molecule. The peptide moiety acts as an antigen for generation of a specific antibody that uniquely binds to its respective OPC. OPCs are advantageously used in groups, for detection or separation of multiple target nucleic acids in a single test sample, by virtue of the unique antigen/antibody interaction that enables differential detection or capture of the OPC. Methods and kits are provided for using the OPC systems of the invention.