Molecular (nucleic acid)-based diagnostics tests have many advantages over immunoassays, particularly with regard to sensitivity and specificity. Most on-site diagnostic tests, however, are immunoassay-based because conventional nucleic acid-based tests (NATs) require extensive sample processing, trained operators, and specialized equipment. To make NATs more convenient, especially for point-of...

The use of nucleic acid-based vaccines is a novel approach to immunization that elicits immune responses similar to those induced by live, attenuated vaccines. Administration of nucleic acid vaccines results in the endogenous generation of viral proteins with native conformation, glycosylation profiles, and other posttranslational modifications that mimic antigen produced during natural viral i...

INTRODUCTION Synthesis in the field of nucleic acids has been a major and continuing interest in my laboratory ever since we knew the structures of the nucleic acids. Clearly the foundations of synthetic work in the nucleotide field were laid by the prolonged and intensive efforts of Professor Todd's laboratory (Cambridge, England) and it was my good fortune to be associated with this laborator...

,g i:. The contemporary biochemist, perusing the publications of the past century, may easily be misled into some arrogance when sorting out the erroneous data and leads, the slow progress and the primitive reports of that early period. However, when recalling the limited techniques and the lack of facilities at the early stages of biochemistry, he will change his mind. The difficulties encount...