text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Aug 19, 2010
|Filing date
|Feb 17, 2009
|Priority date
|Feb 17, 2009
|Also published as
|Publication number
|Miaomiao Wang, Rachel Anne Holmes-Davis, Rick Blidner, Zbigniew Rafinski, Beata Anna Jedrzejewska, Jerzy Paczkowski, Brian David Warner, Heather Koshinsky
|Original Assignee
|Miaomiao Wang, Rachel Anne Holmes-Davis, Rick Blidner, Zbigniew Rafinski, Beata Anna Jedrzejewska, Jerzy Paczkowski, Brian David Warner, Heather Koshinsky
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Classifications (4), Legal Events (4)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
This research was supported in part by Grant Numbers R43AI069574 and R44AI069574 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Attached hereto is a sequence listing as part of this application.
Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are nucleic acid analogs where the negatively charged phosphoribose backbone has been replaced with a neutral N-(2-aminoethyl) glycine group1-2. The absence of the negatively charged backbone gives PNAs unique physiochemical properties for binding to nucleic acid targets. PNAs rapidly hybridize to single-stranded DNA or RNA3-4 and PNA-DNA or PNA-RNA duplexes have much higher thermal stability than the corresponding DNA-DNA or DNA-RNA duplexes. The melting temperature (Tm) of a PNA-DNA duplex is relatively insensitive to ionic strength, and shows equal thermal stability under low (10 mM) and moderate (500 mM) salt concentrations2, 5. PNA-DNA hybridization is severely affected by base mismatches. A single base pair mismatch destabilizes a PNA-DNA duplex to a greater extent than a mismatch in a DNA-DNA duplex2. These properties give PNA probes many advantages over conventional DNA probes. The exceptional characteristics of PNA probes are the basis for the development of several technologies such as PNA arrays6, 7, antisense DNA targeting8, 9, nucleic acid purification10, and mutation analysis11.
Designing assays that require PNA invasion of duplex DNA, however, remains difficult. Typically these assays benefit from PNA backbone modification12, conjugation "scanning" peptides13, specific structural features of the target DNA, and overnight incubation with elevated temperature such as 55� C.3, 12, 14, 15. These requirements seriously impact the efficient application of PNAs to routine diagnostic product development.
The non-covalent interactions of small molecules, including sequence-specific DNA binding polyamides16 and cyanine dyes17 with DNA duplexes have been widely reported. Binding modes of cyanine dyes to DNA duplexes include electrostatic interactions of the cationic dye with the anionic phosphodiester groups of the nucleic acid18, 19, intercalation between base pairs20, hydrophobic-associated interactions within the minor groove21 ,22, and half-intercalation models23. Cyanine dyes have been used in many different applications including detection of DNA and RNA in agarose gels24, fluorescent labels in cellular imaging25, sequence-specific DNA detection using cyanine dye-conjugated DNA oligonucleotide molecular beacons26, and real-time PCR27. The potential utility of cyanine dyes in nucleic acid detection has been improved by enhancing the fluorescence intensity of nucleic acid bound dye relative to unbound (free) dye28 or chemically modifying the light-sensitive cyanine dyes to be more resistant to photobleaching29, 30.
While most traditional double-stranded DNA binding ligands do not bind PNA-DNA duplexes 31, the cyanine dye, 3,3′-diethylthiadicarbocyanine iodide (DiSC2(5)), does bind to PNA-DNA duplexes32,-35. DiSC2(5) and a closely related cyanine dye, DiSC3-(5), form aggregates in the minor groove of PNA-DNA oligomer duplexes35. This aggregate formation results in an approximate 114 nm absorbance shift (blue to violet) that can be observed by eye32. Furthermore, the UV-vis spectra of DiSC2(3) with the random PNA-DNA 10 base pairs duplex was scanned. An attenuated/broadened spectrum was observed and was regarded as indicating a lack of a well-defined complex of DiSC2(3) aggregation on the PNA-DNA duplex but was not further investigated32.
Photobleaching of cyanine dyes is usually seen as an undesirable characteristic which hampers their use in nucleic acid detection. However, in the presence of a target specific peptide nucleic acid (PNA) oligomer probe, the rate of 3,3′-diethylthiacarbocyanine iodide (DiSC2(3)) photobleaching is directly related to the amount of target DNA present. This type of reaction is referred to herein as "smartDNA™" and this rapid color loss can be used as sensitive indicator for the presence of, absence of and/or amount of a specific DNA sequence.
Under certain conditions, when DiSC2(3) is mixed with a PNA-DNA duplex, the mixture has a rapid color change (photobleaching of the original pink color of the dye). For example, when a complementary PNA probe, a DNA target, and the cyanine dye DiSC2(3) are combined and exposed to 470 nm light, a rapid sequence-specific accelerated photobleaching reaction occurs. UV-vis, Circular Dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectroscopy can be used to examine the interaction of DiSC2(3) and related dyes with PNA-DNA oligomer duplexes. This accelerated photobleaching reaction is rapid and the rate is directly related to the DNA target concentration in the sample. The extent of the color loss can be estimated by eye or measured with a simple photometer which allows sensitive DNA measurements to be performed on genomic DNA samples with minimal hardware. Thus, the utility of high affinity PNA-DNA binding is further improved by the discovery of the color loss reaction and a rapid room temperature binding process that occurs in the presence of DiSC2(3) and related dyes. As mentioned above, this PNA-dye-light mediated method of detecting DNA is called "smartDNA™" and the assays developed with this rapid easy method may have wide utility including infectious disease diagnostics, genotyping, monitoring, environmental, industrial and agricultural applications.
The present invention relates to Applicant's discovery that the accelerated photobleaching of dye after exposure of a nucleic acid analog/nucleic acid analog binding substrate/dye complex to light operates by a mechanism that involves formation of singlet oxygen and/or other reaction products of the novel catalytic complex (dye, nucleic acid analog and nucleic acid analog binding substrate). Thus, the invention relates to methods for assaying a nucleic acid analog binding substrate in a sample, comprising reacting a catalytic complex comprising a nucleic acid analog, a nucleic acid analog specific binding substrate and a light reactive dye with a light stimulus, and detecting (directly or indirectly) the presence or absence or amount of a reaction product, such as e.g., singlet oxygen or other reaction product(s) of the catalytic complex and light stimulus. Any of the reaction products may be detected by methods that are independent of the direct measurement of the change in color due to breakdown of the dye substrate when that dye substrate also functions as part of the catalytic complex.
For example, the presence of singlet oxygen may be measured directly or indirectly. The presence of single oxygen can be determined by methods including, but not limited to, measurement of the singlet oxygen infrared emission (phosphorescence) at about 1270 nm (Khan and Kasha, 1979) (or time-resolved singlet oxygen phosphorescence detection either by analog or photon counting (Jimenez-Banzo et al., 2008), the fluorescence of the singlet oxygen dimol at about 634 nm (Mulliken, 1928), measuring the generation of stable nitroxide radicals from sterically hindered amines (Lion et al., 1976), electron spin resonance, calorimetry, photo ionization, mass spectroscopy, alteration of scavengers, altered reactions in the presence of D2O, increased fluorescence of singlet oxygen sensor molecule, such as sensor green (Invitrogen), DPAX or DMAX (Gomes et al., 2005) decreased fluorescence of a singlet oxygen sensor molecule, such as DMA (Gomes et al., 2005) or sensors for detecting singlet oxygen and superoxide production such as DanePy and HO-2941 (Barta et al., 2002), time resolved luminescence detection of singlet oxygen with ATT-Eu3+ (Gomes et al., 2005), fluorescence enhancement and/or chemiluminescence produced by the interaction of singlet oxygen with anthracene skeleton of 4,4′(5′)-bis[2-(9-anthryloxy)ethylthio]tetrathiafulvalene (Zhang et al., 2004; Soh, 2006) or using any other singlet oxygen sensor molecule or singlet oxygen sensitive detector molecule. The terms "singlet oxygen sensor molecule" or "singlet oxygen sensitive detector molecule" refer to a molecule (e.g., singlet oxygen sensitive dye) that is capable of interacting with the singlet oxygen, and/or any other molecule(s) that react with the singlet oxygen, in a detectable manner, such as DPAX, DMAX, ATTA-Eu3+ and 4,4′(5′)-bis[2-(9-anthryloxy)ethylthio]tetrathiafulvalene, except cyanine dyes.
In another embodiment, the invention contemplates use of a reporter complex for detecting the presence or absence of an analyte. The reporter complex comprises a nucleic acid analog binding substrate (to which the nucleic acid analog and dye bind to form the catalytic complex) linked to an analyte binding component, such as an antibody, which binds directly to the analyte. As indicated previously, detection of the analyte may be accomplished by directly or indirectly detecting or measuring the amount of singlet oxygen or any other primary or secondary reaction products produced by the catalytic complex or the singlet oxygen.
Specifically, in one embodiment, the invention contemplates a method for assaying an analyte in a sample. The method includes mixing the sample with a reporter molecule or components thereof comprising a nucleic acid analog, a nucleic acid analog binding substrate that is complementary to the nucleic acid analog, and a dye, wherein the components of the reporter molecule form a catalytic complex. One of the nucleic acid analog or the nucleic acid analog binding substrate components of the reporter molecule is bound to an analyte specific binding compound and the analyte, if present in the sample, binds to the analyte specific binding compound. The method also includes removing from the mixture any reporter molecule not bound to the analyte, exposing the mixture to light stimulus, and detecting the presence or absence or amount of a reaction product of the catalytic complex and light stimulus.
PNA sequence
ID No:
DNA sequence
TB14(gel lane 1)
TB19(gel lane 2)
TB15(gel lane 3)
TB20(gel lane 4)
PNA names and sequences. All PNAs have a C-terminal carboxamide. The modification on the N-terminal is Lysine.
The present invention provides methods for assaying a nucleic acid analog binding substrate in a sample, comprising reacting a catalytic complex comprising a nucleic acid analog, a nucleic acid analog specific binding substrate and a light reactive dye with a light stimulus, and detecting (directly or indirectly) the presence or absence or amount of a reaction product produced by the catalytic complex upon exposure to light. In particular, the present invention relates to methods of detecting and measuring singlet oxygen produced by the catalytic complex. The present invention also relates to the use of the catalytic complex as a reporter complex to produce singlet oxygen, which can be used to detect other target molecules (i.e., analytes) to which the reporter complex binds.
In many settings, molecular testing is needed but unavailable due to complexity and cost. Simple, rapid and specific DNA detection technologies would provide important alternatives to existing detection methods. The present invention provides a rapid nucleic acid detection method based on the accelerated production of singlet oxygen in the presence of a nucleic acid binding substrate and a complementary nucleic acid analog, such as a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probe.
Based on the UV-vis, Circular Dichroism, and fluorescence spectra of DiSC2(3) with PNA-DNA oligomer duplexes and on characterization of a product of photolysis of DiSC2(3) I−, the evidence indicates that (1) a novel complex forms between dye, nucleic acid analog (e.g. PNA) and a nucleic acid analog binding substrate, (2) this complex functions as a photosensitizer producing 1O2 and/or other reaction products, and (3) the resulting 1O2 can be detected and measured directly, or indirectly by detecting and measuring reaction products of the 1O2 with other chemicals, and then correlated with the presence, absence, or amount of the analyte of interest, if present in the sample. Similar cyanine dyes (DiSC3(3), DiSC4(3), DiSC5(3), and DiSCpy(3)) interact with pre-formed PNA-DNA oligomer duplexes. While some effect is observed, under the conditions tested these dyes do not demonstrate an equivalent accelerated photobleaching effect in the presence of PNA and target genomic DNA. Molecular diagnostic assays may utilize the accelerated photobleaching (the smartDNA assay) that results from the novel complex formed between DiSC2(3) and PNA-DNA as a basis for detecting the presence or absence of and quantifying analytes in a sample.
The practice of the present invention employs, unless otherwise indicated, conventional techniques of molecular biology (including recombinant techniques), microbiology, cell biology, chemistry, biochemistry, immunology, protein kinetics, and spectroscopy, which are within the skill of the art. Such techniques are explained fully in the literature, such as, Sambrook et al., M
The term "analyte" generally refers to a target molecule(s) that is detected using the methods or complexes disclosed herein. The analyte can be a DNA analyte, an RNA analyte, a nucleic acid analyte, macromolecule or a small molecule as those terms are used in the art. In particular, a macromolecule may include, for example, a polynucleotide, a polypeptide, a carbohydrate, a lipid, or a combination of one or more of these. As a general rule, the molecular mass of a macromolecule is at least about 300 Daltons and can be millions of Daltons. A small molecule is an organic compound having a molecular weight of up to about 300 Daltons. In certain instances, the analyte is a nucleic acid analyte.
The terms "nucleic acid analog binding substrate" or "binding substrate" mean a molecule to which the nucleic acid analog is capable of specifically binding and forming a catalytic complex with the dye. The binding substrate may be the nucleic acid analyte that is being detected, or, alternatively, may be a nucleic acid component of a reporter molecule, a different portion of which specifically binds to the analyte. Thus, an "analyte comprising a nucleic acid analog binding substrate" encompasses both a nucleic acid analog binding substrate that is the analyte itself, as well an analyte that is bound to a nucleic acid analog binding substrate by means of intermediate bridging molecule(s), such as an analyte specific binding molecule that is bound to the nucleic acid analog binding substrate. For example, the nucleic acid analog binding substrate may be a nucleic acid molecule that is bound to an antibody that specifically binds a protein analyte of interest. The nucleic acid analog binding substrate may also be a nucleic acid molecule that is bound to an antigen that specifically binds to an antibody analyte of interest. Thus, the nucleic acid analog binding substrate may be bound, either directly or indirectly, to any molecule that specifically binds to the analyte of interest. The nucleic acid analog binding substrate may also be another nucleic acid analog. Alternatively, the nucleic acid analog may be bound to an intermediate bridging molecule(s), such as analyte specific binding molecule.
The term "analyte binding component" refers to a molecule or any part thereof that is capable of directly binding with the analyte. In one instance, the analyte binding component may be an antibody.
The term "nucleic acid analyte" refers to an analyte that comprises a polynucleotide, at least a portion of which is capable of functioning as the binding substrate for the nucleic acid analog and a dye, to form the catalytic complex. Some mismatch may exist depending on the conditions of the reaction mixture. The binding could be by way of Watson-Crick hybridization, a modified Watson-Crick hybridization, or sequence specific binding modes yet undescribed. The nucleic acid analyte may be of any length. In many instances, the nucleic acid analyte can be greater than 40,000 base pairs long. In some diagnostic applications, however, the nucleic acid analyte is the product of PCR amplification of genomic DNA, which is typically less than about 1000 bases. The analytic nucleic acid sequence may, of course, be less than about 500 bases, less than about 100 bases, less than about 40 bases, or less than about 24 bases. In other embodiments, the nucleic acid analyte may be greater than about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about 12, about 14, about 16, about 18, about 20, about 25, about 30, about 35, about 40, about 45, or about 50 bases in length. In yet other embodiments, the nucleic acid analyte is preferably greater than about 4 bases and less than about 24 bases in length. In certain embodiments, the nucleic acid analyte is about 4, about 6, about 8, about 10, about 12, about 14, about 16, about 18, about 20, about 22, or about 24 bases in length. The nucleic acid analyte may include a protein coding sequence and/or a non-coding sequence (e.g., intergenic spacer sequences regulatory sequences, introns, non-coding RNA and the like).
The term "polynucleotide" refers to a polymeric form of nucleotides or nucleotide analogs of any length, either deoxyribonucleotides or ribonucleotides, or analogs thereof, or mixtures thereof. Polynucleotides may be single-stranded, double-stranded, triple-stranded, or multi-stranded to yet greater degrees. The following are non-limiting examples of polynucleotides: a gene or gene fragment, exons, introns, messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA, ribosomal RNA, armored RNA, non-coding RNA, microRNA, ribozymes, cDNA, recombinant polynucleotides, branched polynucleotides, plasmids, vectors, nucleic acid probes, primers, amplified DNA, and synthesized DNA. A polynucleotide may contain modified bases, including those that include, without limitation, a methylation, deamination, thiolation, and/or acetylation. The sequence of nucleotides of a polynucleotide may be interrupted by non-nucleotide components, and may include one or more nucleic acid analogs. A polynucleotide may be further modified before or after polymerization, such as by conjugation with a labeling component. The polynucleotide may be an amplified region of a longer sequence of nucleotides. A polynucleotide may be a peptide nucleic acid (PNA), among other nucleic acid analogs.
The term "nucleic acid analog" refers to any molecule that is described in part by a sequence of bases, as is commonly done for DNA or RNA, which molecule has one or more bases that differ from conventional guanine, thymine, adenosine, cytosine, or uracil, and/or having one or more differences from the conventional phosphoribose of an RNA backbone or the conventional phosphodeoxyribose of a DNA backbone at one or more bases. Nucleic acid analogs can be chimeric by having a specific type of nucleic acid analog nucleoside in combination with another nucleic acid analog nucleoside, and/or one or more conventional DNA nucleosides or RNA nucleosides.
The nucleic acid analog may be an achiral peptide nucleic acid (referred to herein as any of "non-chiral PNA", "achiral PNA", or "ncPNA"), a chiral peptide nucleic acid (referred to herein as "chiral PNA" or "cPNA"), a locked nucleic acid ("LNA"), a threose nucleic acid ("TNA"), a metal-linked nucleic acid, or a morpholino nucleic acid. More preferably, the nucleic acid analog is a cPNA or a ncPNA.
The nucleic acid analog is preferably greater than about 4 bases in length and less than about 24 bases in length, excluding linkers, amino acids and labels. In other embodiments, the nucleic acid analog may be from about 5 to about 100, from about 8 to about 60, or from about 10 to about 20 bases in length. In another embodiment, the nucleic acid analog is about 6, about 8 about 10, about 12, about 14, about 18, about 22, about 26, about 30, about 35, about 40, or about 45 bases in length, excluding linkers, amino acids and labels. Preferably, the nucleic acid analog is about 12 nucleic acid bases in length. In another embodiment of the invention, the nucleic acid analog is about 17 or about 18 nucleic acid bases in length, however the method can be operated using a wide range of lengths of the nucleic acid analog.
The term "peptide nucleic acid," or "PNA," includes any nucleic acid analog in which the deoxyribose phosphate backbone of a nucleic acid has been replaced by a synthetic peptide-like backbone, including, for example, n-(2-amino-ethyl)-glycine units, such as, without limitation, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,786,461; 6,357,163; 6,107,470; 5,773,571; 6,441,130, 6,451,968; 6,228,982; 5,641,625; 5,766,855; 5,736,336; 5,719,262; 5,714,331; 5,719,262; and 6,414,112. The purine and pyrimidine bases may be attached by any covalent linkage, including, for example, methylene carbonyl linkages. As used herein, PNA molecules can have additional atoms between the PNA backbone and nucleobase. These analogs include, for example, D-lysine chains, cyclic structures, such as cyclopentane or pyrrolidine rings, and/or chiral substituents, including PNA molecules described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,403,763, U.S. Patent Application US 2003/0162699, and U.S. Patent Application US 2003/0157500. The PNA backbone may include substitutions or extensions in the peptide backbone. PNAs may include peptide-based nucleic acid mimics (PENAMS), such as those disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,333, atoms having unusual chiral centers, such as D-chiral centers and quasi-chiral centers, and atom substitutions in the PNA backbone.
The term "chiral PNA" or "cPNA" refers to a chiral PNA molecule in which at least a portion of the peptide backbone has been modified to include a proline or modified proline side-chain that includes the backbone nitrogen and a-carbon. Non-limiting examples of chiral PNA molecules include those that are disclosed at, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,403,763, U.S. Patent Applications US 2003/0162699 and US 2003/0157500.
The term "achiral PNA" or "non-chiral PNA" or "ncPNA" refers to a PNA molecule in which no portion of the peptide backbone has been modified to include a proline or modified proline side chain that includes the backbone nitrogen and α-carbon.
The term "non-PNA nucleic acid analog" refers to a nucleic acid analog in which the backbone does not include a synthetic peptide-like backbone.
The term "locked nucleic acid" or "LNA" refers to a bicyclic nucleic acid in which at least one ribonucleoside is linked between the 2′-oxygen and the 4′-carbon with a methylene group. Non-limiting examples of LNAs are disclosed in T
The term "morpholino nucleic acid" or "MNA" refers to a nucleic acid analog in which each backbone monomer is a substituted or unsubstituted six-membered morpholino ring. The morpholino rings are linked by non-ionic phosphorodiamidate linkages. Non-limiting examples of MNAs include those described in U.S. Pat. 5,034,506.
The term "threose nucleic acid" or "TNA" refers to a nucleic acid in which the sugar-phosphate backbone is a four-carbon sugar threose in place of the five-carbon sugar ribose.
The term "photochemical reaction" refers to a reaction that can occur when electromagnetic radiation interacts with matter and initiates the production of new chemical species. Absorption of electromagnetic radiation, typically in the region of the electromagnetic spectrum which ranges from approximately 180 nanometers in the ultraviolet to 800 nanometers in the near infrared, initiate electronic transitions in the absorbing species and result in a temporary change in its electronic structure. This electronically excited species may reemit the energy absorbed via radiationless decay, fluorescent emission, or phosphorescent emission resulting in no change to the original absorber. Alternatively, the electronically activated species can undergo an irreversible electronic change creating a new product molecule or molecules. Also, the electronically excited species can interact with a second molecule with the same or different chemical structure in the sample causing changes in that molecule's electronic structure which in turn can cause reversible or irreversible changes to the second molecule. Products of these photochemically induced reactions can in turn react with other chemically distinct molecules in the sample to initiate other chemical reactions.
The terms "nucleic acid analog/nucleic acid analog binding substrate complex" or "nucleic acid analog/binding substrate complex" refers to a nucleic acid analog that is sufficiently complementary to its binding substrate so that it forms a sequence-specific complex. Non-limiting examples of nucleic acid analog/binding substrate complexes include nucleic acid analog/binding substrate complexes, duplexes and triplexes. The term "PNA/polynucleotide analyte complex" refers to a PNA molecule that is sufficiently complementary to a polynucleotide analyte to form a sequence-specific complex. Non-limiting examples of PNA/polynucleotide analyte complexes include PNA/polynucleotide duplexes and triplexes. The PNA may be chiral or non-chiral.
The term "complementary" means that a single-stranded nucleic acid analog has the ability to bind to a binding substrate in a sequence-specific manner. The nucleic acid analog may be synthesized to fully or partially bind to the binding substrate. A nucleic acid analog that is "complementary" may have one or more single base-pair mismatches, additions, and/or deletions, but is still capable of forming a complex with the binding substrate under the selected hybridization, binding or association conditions. In one embodiment, complementary sequences may hybridize through Watson-Crick base pairing (A-T or A-U and C-G or alternatively pairing with inosine). In a further embodiment, complementary sequences may hybridize through Hoogstein base pairing. In alternative embodiment, complementary sequences may form a catalytic complex, such as PNA-DNA-dye catalytic complex. In other words, the dye may accelerate or promote catalytic complex formation between the nucleic acid analog and the binding substrate.
The terms "complex," "catalytic complex," "dye catalytic complex" or "nucleic acid analog/binding substrate/dye complex" are used interchangeably throughout the specification and generally refer to an association between a dye, nucleic acid analog and a nucleic acid analog binding substrate (polynucleotide, DNA, RNA, etc.) in a manner that forms a catalytic complex and permits detecting the presence of singlet oxygen or other reaction products. Without being bound by a particular theory, formation of a duplex, triplex, Watson-Crick base pairing, Hoogstein base pairing, or any other yet undefined binding or association is contemplated herein. As such, the term "complex" is not limited to any particular physical or structural relationship between the elements of the complex.
The term "reaction product(s)" encompasses primary and secondary reaction products, as defined below, produced directly or indirectly by the catalytic complex when exposed to light.
Any of the products of the reaction of the dye with the nucleic acid analog/analyte complex may be detected by methods that are independent of the direct measurement of the loss of color due to breakdown of the dye.
The term "primary reaction product(s)" refers to any products of the reaction between the nucleic acid analog/binding substrate/dye complex and light. Some exemplary reaction products include, e.g., the singlet oxygen, and the following molecules:
For example, the presence, absence or amount of singlet oxygen can be measured directly by methods including but not limited to measurement of the singlet oxygen infrared emission at about 1270 nm (Khan and Kasha, 1979), the fluorescence of the singlet oxygen dimol at about 634 nm (Mulliken, 1928), electron spin resonance, calorimetry, photo ionization, mass spectroscopy. The amount of singlet oxygen could be determined by measuring the amount of singlet oxygen decay by methods such as time dependent thermal lensing (Rossbroich et al., 1985).
The term "secondary reaction product(s)" refers to any detectable products of the reaction between the singlet oxygen and another chemical entity, such as DPAX, DMAX, ATTA-Eu3+ and 4,4′(5 ′)-bis[2-(9-anthryloxy)ethylthio]tetrathiafulvalene, except cyanine dyes). For example, the reaction of singlet oxygen with cholesterol leads to a stable product, 3β-hydroxy-5α-hydroperoxt-D6-cholestene. The amount of singlet oxygen could be determined by measuring the interaction of singlet oxygen with triplet β-carotene (Farmilo and Wilkinson, 1973). The presence of single oxygen can be determined by various methods including, but not limited to, measuring the generation of stable nitroxide radicals from sterically hindered amines (Lion et al., 1976), alteration of scavengers, altered reactions in the presence of D2O, increased fluorescence of a singlet oxygen sensor molecule, such as sensor green (Invitrogen), or sensors for detecting singlet oxygen and superoxide production such as DanePy and HO-2941 (Barta et al., 2002).
The term "singlet oxygen sensor molecule" refers to a chemical compound (e.g., singlet oxygen sensitive dye) that is capable of interacting with the singlet oxygen, and/or any other molecule(s) that react with the singlet oxygen, in a detectable manner cyanine dye), such as DPAX, DMAX, ATTA-Eu3+ and 4,4′(5′)-bis[2-(9-anthryloxy)ethylthio]tetrathiafulvalene.
The term "rate" refers to a change in a property of a composition or compound relative to a particular period of time. A rate may be described in terms of a specific rate constant. A rate may be determined by making measurements over a period of time. A rate may be described by making measurements, determined by measurements at two different time points in a process or by making measurements at least three, at least four, or at least five time points. A rate may also be determined based on a single measurement and a known quantity, such as a previously known or calculated quantity. A rate may be expressed in quantitative or qualitative terms (e.g., a change is "fast" or "slow"). A rate may be determined by comparing a property or compound to a reference value, or by observation of changes in a given property or compound over time, using standard methods.
As used herein, the term "relative rate" refers to the rate of one process compared to the rate of another process or of the same process in another reaction. A "relative rate" may be approximate (e.g., the rate of one process may be "faster" or "slower" than the rate of another process) or quantitative (e.g., comparing measured rate constants of two processes).
As used herein, the term "dye" refers to a compound that can generate a reaction product, such as singlet oxygen, in the presence of the nucleic acid analog, the binding substrate, and light.
The dye may exhibit the property under certain conditions, such as binding or forming a catalytic complex or otherwise being in contact with a nucleic acid analog/binding substrate. The term "light reactive dye" means a dye that reacts to light exposure, such that when the light reactive dye is associated in a complex with complementary binding molecules, at least one of which is a nucleic acid analog, such as a PNA molecule, the light reactive dye confers a property on the complex that, in response to exposure of the complex to light, results in the catalytic production of singlet oxygen and/or other reaction products. In some embodiments, the complementary polynucleotides of the complex may comprise nucleic acid analog and a standard nucleic acid. In other embodiments, the complex may comprise two nucleic acid analogs. For example, complexes formed between the light reactive dye and complementary polynucleotides comprising at least one nucleic acid analog polynucleotide are referred to herein as "light reactive complexes," or "PNA/DNA/dye complexes," or "nucleic acid analog/binding substrate/dye complexes," or "nucleic acid analogs/dye complexes."
The term "mixture" includes a mixture of components, including where one or more of the components of the mixture are bound to a solid substrate, or where one or more components of the mixture are in a liquid solution.
The term "sample" refers to a liquid sample of any type (e.g., blood, serum, water, urine, fecal matter, sputum, or lysate or extract of a solid sample), a solid sample of any type (e.g., fecal matter, cells, food, ice, dirt, grain, or material acquired from a surface), an airborne sample of any type, and/or a material embedded in a gel material and/or any solid-phase material, such as agarose, acrylamide, or gelatin. The methods of the invention may also utilize solid or semi-solid supports to immobilize one or more molecules that specifically bind to and capture an analyte of interest, so that components of the sample that do not bind to the solid support can be washed from the solid support, leaving only the analyte of interest, if present in the sample. Most often, the nucleic acid analog or analyte is immobilized. There are many types of solid supports that the nucleic acid analog or analyte molecules may be attached to, including but not limited to: cast membranes (nitrocellulose, nylon), ceramic, track-etched membranes (TEM), polyvinylidenedifloride, latex, paramagnetic beads, plastic supports of all types, gels, glass, powdered silica or alumina on a support matrix. If a grid pattern is used, the nucleic acid analog molecule/solid support forms a microarray. In another variation, the nucleic acid analog or analyte molecules may be covalently modified to include a linking moiety, such as a biotin or amide linkage, which binds to membranes. In a further variation, the nucleic acid analog or analyte molecules may be immobilized via sequence specific hybridization to one or more sequences.
Any means of attaching a nucleic acid analog or other components of the complex to a support is contemplated. In one aspect, the nucleic acid analog may be attached directly to a membrane. The nucleic acid analog may be a PNA (e.g., A Giger et al., N
In another aspect, a biotin labeled nucleic acid analog molecule may be attached to a streptavidin-coated surface, such as a bead or well (see, e.g., Chandler et al., A
In another aspect, the nucleic acid analog molecules may be fixed to a glass or other solid support by applying a solution containing nucleic acid analog molecules in water directly to the glass or other support and letting it air dry.
Other methods of immobilization are also contemplated.
Any analyte, or group of analytes, may be detected by the solid support based system. For example, a solid support can contain multiple nucleic acid analog molecules immobilized on a solid support. A control nucleic acid analog that does not form a nucleic acid analog/analyte/dye complex, may be included on the solid support.
The solid support-based assay system may be used to detect at least one analyte. In other variations, the solid support-based system detects or measures the presence or absence or amount of at least about 8, at least about 10, at least about 20, at least about 30, at least about 40, at least about 50, or at least about 60 different analytes. In another variation, the solid support-based system detects and distinguishes amounts of 60 or more analytes.
As used herein, the terms "array" or "microarray" refer to a set of analytes immobilized onto one or more substrates so that each analyte is at a known location. Alternatively, the set of analytes may be in solution, respectively in different receptacles of a microtiter dish, and therefore, located at known locations. In one embodiment, a set of analytes is immobilized onto a surface in a spatially addressable manner so that each individual analyte is located at different and identifiable location on the substrate.
The term "chemical handle" refers to a component that may be attached to a complex as described herein so as to facilitate the isolation, immobilization, identification, detection and/or increased solubility of the complex. Suitable chemical handles include, for example, a polypeptide, a polynucleotide, a carbohydrate, a polymer, or a chemical moiety, and combinations or variants thereof.
The term "observing" means detecting a change in a property or value, either directly or indirectly, by means of visual observation, instrumentation, or receipt of data.
The term "reporter molecule," as used herein, means a catalytic complex (i.e., the nucleic acid analog/nucleic acid analog binding substrate/dye complex) when used to report the presence, absence and/or amount of another analyte. In one embodiment, an analyte specific binding compound is bound directly or indirectly to the nucleic acid analog and/or to the nucleic acid analog binding substrate of the reporter molecule. The analyte specific binding compound binds to the analyte, if present in the sample. The catalytic complex binds to the analyte via the analyte specific binding compound. Specifically, the catalytic complex of the present invention may be used to generate a detectable signal that is indicative of the presence of the analyte, such as a macromolecule (i.e., a protein) or a nucleic acid. For example, the nucleic acid analog specific binding substrate may be a nucleic acid molecule bound to an antibody that specifically binds to a macromolecule analyte. In another example, the nucleic acid analog may be bound to an antibody that specifically binds to a protein analyte. In yet another example, either a nucleic acid molecule or a nucleic acid analog may be bound to a macromolecule that specifically binds to an antibody analyte. An "analyte-specific reporter complex" refers to a reporter complex that specifically binds to the analyte of interest. The analyte-specific reporter complex can be captured by, for example, binding the antibody to an antigen immobilized (i.e., bound, trapped, captured, attached, etc.) on a solid support. Analyte-specific reporter complex that does not bind to the solid support is removed by washing the solid support.
Dyes suitable for use in the methods and complexes of this invention include, for example cyanine dyes, thiacyanine dyes and/or carbocyanine dyes. Some specific examples of dyes include 3,3′-diethylthiacarbocyanine iodide, 3,3′-dimethylthiacarbocyanine iodide, 3,3′-dipropylthiacarbocyanine iodide, 1-1′-Diethyl-2,2′-carbocyanine iodide, 3,3′-Diallylthiacarbocyanine Bromide, 3,3′-Dipentylthiacarbocyanine iodide, 3,3′-dibutylthiacarbocyanine iodide, 2-((1E,3Z)-3-(3-Ethylbenzo[d]thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)prop-1-enyl)-3-methylbenzo[d][1,3]selenazol-3-ium iodide (OR by another name 3-ethyl-3′-methylselenocarbocyanine iodide), and 3-Ethyl-2-((1E,3Z)-3-(3-ethylbenzo[d][1,3]selenazol-2(3H)-ylidene)prop-1-enyl)benzo[d][1,3]selenazol-3-ium hydrogensulfate (OR by another name 3,3′-diethylselenocarbocyanine hydrogensulfate).
Suitable dyes can be identified using any of a variety of screening methods. The dyes of the present invention promote and accelerate the formation of a catalytic complex, which results in the production of singlet oxygen and/or other reaction products that can be detected and correlated to the presence or absence, or amount, of an analyte present in a sample. For example, in preferred embodiments, the catalytic complex produces singlet oxygen, which can then be detected qualitatively to determine the presence or absence of the analyte, or may be detected quantitatively to determine the amount of analyte present in the sample. By way of example, a nucleic acid analog/nucleic acid analyte can be used to identify suitable dyes by comparing the relative production of singlet oxygen of the various dyes in complex with the nucleic acid analog/nucleic acid analyte and light. Preferably, the combination includes other components and is maintained in conditions to promote formation of a complex of the dye and the nucleic acid analog/nucleic acid analyte, using such components and conditions that are well known in the art. Suitable conditions and components are described herein. The candidate dye is then preferably added; more preferably, the candidate dye is added to separate aliquots of the combination, such that the dye is present in the separate aliquots at varying concentrations. Yet more preferably a buffer is added. The order of addition is not critical; the components can be added in any order. Once the reaction mixture is formed, a light stimulus is applied. The amount or rate of production of the reaction products over time is then determined directly or indirectly, and is correlated to the presence or absence, or amount, of a reaction product in the sample. The amount or rate of production may be compared to a reference value characteristic of the amount or rate of production of the reaction products of the reaction mixture in the absence of the complex. In other embodiments, the amount or rate of production of the reaction products in the presence of a first analyte is compared to the amount or rate of production of the reaction products in the presence of a second analyte, wherein the particular amount or rate of production can be correlated to the particular analyte present in the sample.
In certain embodiments, the reference value is characteristic of the absence of the analyte or the presence of the analyte, which can be single-stranded or double-stranded nucleic acid or any other target molecule. In other embodiments, the reference value is characteristic of a non-zero concentration of the analyte. Preferably, the reference values employed include those characteristic of a zero and at least one non-zero concentration of the analyte, respectively.
In certain embodiments, the amount or rate of production of the primary reaction products from the formation of the catalytic complex is correlated to the ability of the dye to accelerate and promote production of the reaction products, and used to identify dyes having greater utility in the present invention. Dyes that accelerate or promote production of reaction products in the reaction mixture are particularly preferred, where the mixture exhibits a different amount or type of reaction product produced over time (a rate) or at a single time, compared to a reference value. The relative rate (or amount) of production of reaction products of the mixture is correlated with the presence or absence or amount of the analyte in the sample. Dyes that contribute to the generation of singlet oxygen or other reaction products, where the reaction mixture produces singlet oxygen in the presence of a nucleic acid analog/binding substrate complex and light, are preferably selected.
The analyte may include any target molecule that is being detected or measured either directly or indirectly by the methods and complexes described herein. The analyte may be any polynucleotide analyte, including naturally occurring, synthetic, and amplified polynucleotides. Other types of analytes may be single-stranded, double-stranded, triple-stranded, or yet greater degree multi-stranded. Non-limiting examples of analytes include DNA, RNA, regulatory RNA, mRNA, regulatory microRNA, siRNA, artificial RNA, chimeric RNA, non-coding RNA and armored RNA. Other non-limiting examples of analytes include epigenomic DNA, epigenetic DNA, in vitro amplified DNA, and chimeric DNA. The analytes may contain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertions or deletions, copy number variations or other differences that are identified or quantitated by the methods disclosed herein. Analytes may also include: other biological molecules (such as proteins, antibodies, carbohydrates, proteoglycans, lipids, or hormones), pharmaceuticals or other therapeutic agents and their metabolites, drugs of abuse (for example amphetamines, opiates, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, cannabinoids, cocaine, LSD and their metabolites), explosives (for example nitro-glycerine and nitrotoluenes including TNT, RDX, PETN and HMX), and environmental pollutants (for example herbicides, pesticides). The analyte can also be a nucleic acid analog.
Light stimulus can be provided to a sample that may or may not contain an analyte, nucleic acid analog, and dye mixture either concurrently with the production of the mixture or at a specified time after the production of the mixture. The light stimulus may be in the visible spectrum or outside the visible spectrum. The light stimulus may be white light of a number of wavelengths. Alternatively, the light stimulus may be a specific wavelength or wavelengths, or range of wavelengths. The light stimulus may be a filtered light. The light stimulus may comprise a specific range of wavelengths. The range of wavelengths may be from a blue light stimulus, a green light stimulus or any other desirable light stimulus.
The light stimulus may be applied to the mixture for a specified amount of time, such as from about 1 second to about 20 minutes. Any length of time in between the specified range from about 1 second to 20 minutes is also contemplated. For example, the light stimulus may be applied to the mixture for about 30 seconds or 1 minute. The light stimulus may be applied to the mixture as bursts of light or as a continual light.
Light sources are known in the art. Different light sources result in different reaction rates because of differences in intensity or wavelength of the light sources. Examples of light sources include Xenon arc lamp (Ushio, #UXL-451-O), Sylvania dulux S9W CF9DS/blue and Sylvania Cool White T8-CW (OSRAM SYLVANIA, Danvers, Mass.), General Electric T8-C50 GE Lighting, Cleveland, Ohio), Osram F9TT/50K (OSRAM GmbH, Munich, Germany), and Fritz Aurora 50/50 (Fritz Industries, Inc., Mesquite, Tex.). Other light sources include light emitting diodes (LEDs) that produce a specific range of wavelengths, such as Jameco #183222 a 470 nm LED, Jameco #334473 a 505 nm LED, Jameco #183214 a 515 nm LED, or a white multiwavelength (420-700 nm) LED #LLW5210200. LEDs emit light at least one peak wavelength, and in certain embodiments can emit light at multiple peaks. In certain variations, the bandwidth of the LED can be as small as 1 nm, or as large as 20 nm. Other light sources include commercially available halogen light sources, such as halogen headlamps (NAPA Auto Parts, Atlanta, Ga.).
The light stimulus may also have a specific intensity. In certain variations, a 15-Watt light source at 555 nm produces between about 400 foot-candles and 2000 foot-candles of illumination. In other variations, the light stimulus is one or more LEDs, preferably it is a bank of LEDs, the power of which varies from 500 μW to 4000 μW/cm2 at 3.5 inches away from the light.
Those of skill in the art will recognize that the optimal light stimulus may be determined without undue experimentation for a specific dye, or a specific nucleic acid analog, binding substrate, and dye complex in the mixture. A single set of temperature and concentration conditions can be optimized for a specific mixture.
Previous literature describes the interaction of cyanine dyes with PNA or DNA or PNA-DNA duplexes32, 35, 38, 40-41. Cyanine dyes are known to form dimer or higher aggregates in the minor groove of these duplexes and result in spectroscopic changes. In the present study, the UV-vis spectra (
In the presence of a PNA-DNA duplex, a novel DiSC2(3)-PNA-DNA complex can form. This complex is capable of rapidly catalyzing the accelerated photobleaching of a large excess of DiSC2(3), possibly through a singlet oxygen mediated mechanism (for cyanine dyes as 1O2 sensitizers, see ref. 42). In a typical 50 μl smartDNA assay with DNA equivalent to 400,000 M. tuberculosis genomes causes the complete photobleaching of a large amount of dye, approximately 1014 molecules, in 4 minutes when the reaction mixture is exposed to 470 nm light. The calculated turnover rate of the dye molecules per PNA binding site on the target molecule at varying DNA target amounts remains surprisingly constant. Approximately 33,000 dye molecules are turned over per second. This suggests that the dye-PNA-DNA complex is acting in a catalytic manner to turnover the excess dye in the reaction. This fast turnover rate is not without precedent. The enzyme acetylcholinesterase turns over 25,000 molecules per second and carbonic anhydrase turns over 600,000 molecules per second (
In the smartDNA system, the structure of the cyanine dye that can (1) form a useful catalytic complex with PNA-DNA duplexes, and (2) produce singlet oxygen, and (3) is sensitive to photobleaching in the presence of singlet oxygen has low tolerance for changes. In addition to DiSC2(3), DiSC3(3), DiSC4(3), DiSC5(3) and DiSCpy(3), cyanine dyes with other modifications at the chromophore were screened under a restricted set of conditions. Oxazole substitution for the thiazole, or an increase in the length of the methane bridge between the 2 heterocycles, such as DiSC2(5) did not show accelerated photobleaching in the PNA-DNA oligomer duplex system. There is no observable difference between the photobleaching rate of the free dye in the presence or absence of a PNA-DNA oligomer duplex. Thus, we concluded in these studies that the benzothiazole heterocycle and the length of the bridge are all critical for the specific interactions that result in accelerated photobleaching in genomic system. However, it is not known at which of the three steps the limitation occurs or if this limitation can be overcome under different reaction conditions.
With DiSC2(3), exposure of dye-PNA-DNA complex (pre-annealed PNA-DNA oligomer duplex) to LED light sources near the dye's absorption maxima or longer wavelengths, (574 and 640 nm), or shorter wavelengths (390 and 410 nm) accelerated photobleaching was not observed. Exposure of dye-PNA-DNA oligomer complexes to 470, 490, or 515 nm LED light sources did cause accelerated photobleaching. The 470 nm wavelength proved optimal. Compared to 490 and 515 nm, exposure to 470 nm light had a faster accelerated photobleaching rate and a slower rate of photobleaching of the free dye (data not shown). We suggest that the generation of singlet oxygen requires a stable excited triplet state, and dyes that form H aggregates which absorb at 470 nm were more effective than monomeric dyes in forming the required stable triplet state. The H-aggregate formed should have a longer singlet lifetime, due to the forbidden radioactive transition to the ground state, thus is more efficient for the energy transfer of intersystem crossing than other configurations that resulted in absorbance at different wavelengths43.
Even for dye derivatives with the same thiacarbocyanine chromophore, substituents at the N atom play a significant role in the interaction of the dye with pre-annealed PNA-DNA duplex and/or on the rate of the accelerated photobleaching of the dye in the genomic DNA system. Detailed studies were performed with DiSC2(3), DiSC3(3), DiSC4(3), DiSC5(3) and DiSCpy(3), which have substituents that increase the bulkiness at the N atom of the benzothiazole (shown in
The efficiency of 1O2 generation is dependent on the energy level of the excited triplet state of the photosensitizer, in this case, proposed to be the dye-PNA-DNA complex. Different substituents result in different alignment of the dye molecules in the complex; this results in different excited triplet state energy levels and the very different reactivities that are observed. Additional studies to investigate the effects of the substituents on the energy level of the dye-PNA-DNA complex formed are planned. Also, changes in substituents change the susceptibility of the dye molecule to photobleaching. We have observed that DiSCpy(3) alone in buffer has the slowest background photobleaching rate. Similarly, DiSC3(3), DiSC4(3) and DiSC5(3) all have slower background photobleaching rates than DiSC2(3).
Thus, DiSC3(3), DiSC4(3) and DiSC5(3), appear to bind to the PNA-DNA oligomer duplex as aggregates. However, under the conditions we tested, there is minimal accelerated photobleaching reaction with these dyes in the presence of PNA probe and M. tuberculosis genomic DNA. This might be due to several factors, including (1) the interaction affinity of dye to PNA-genomic DNA, (2) the structure of the dye-PNA-DNA complex and its efficiency at singlet oxygen generation, (3) the energy level of the excited states of dye molecules in the complex, and/or (4) the susceptibility of the dye to oxidation.
PNA invasion of duplex DNA, which requires breaking the Watson-Crick Hydrogen bonding of duplex DNA, is a very slow and unfavorable process44. Conjugation of acridine to a PNA45, or bis-PNA in the presence of quinoxaline antibiotics46 has been reported to improve duplex DNA invasion. However, in the smartDNA system with PNA probes that have been empirically selected, a sequence specific PNA-genomic DNA complex is formed at room temperature in less than 10 minutes. DNA from other organisms has been tested with TB14, the M. tuberculosis specific PNA probe, and show near background accelerated photobleaching (
Without being bound by a specific mechanism,
The simplest mechanism is that the DiSC2(3)-PNA-DNA complex generates singlet oxygen when exposed to 470 nm light. Once formed, the singlet oxygen is free to diffuse into solution and causes the oxidation of the great excess (>99%) of free dye that is in solution and likely dye that is associated with DNA. Thus, the reaction rate should be directly dependent on the concentration of the dye-PNA-DNA catalyst present. Because the DNA target is the limiting reagent and all other reactants are present in about 105- to 106-fold excess, the predicted rate of photobleaching should be proportional to the DNA target concentration. This can be observed experimentally.
Utility of smartDNA
The sequence specific accelerated photobleaching reaction of DiSC2(3) in the presence of the PNA probe and genomic DNA target forms the very interesting photochemical basis for a sensitive, rapid, simple, and potentially inexpensive method for DNA detection. The accelerated photobleaching is induced with an inexpensive LED and detected with a simple photodiode circuit. Measurement of the dye photobleaching rate in solution enables sensitive inexpensive DNA determinations to be performed. The method takes advantage of PNA's natural high affinity and specificity for DNA. This is further improved by the discovery of a rapid room temperature binding process that occurs in the presence of the dye.
When combined with suitable sample processing and activating-reading hardware, the smartDNA technology could be used to produce sensitive, rapid and potentially inexpensive diagnostic assays. Due to its inherent simplicity, the smartDNA detection is ideally suited for rapid diagnostics of infectious disease in resource constrained or point of care settings. To that end, assay development work is proceeding on applying the method to the detection of M. tuberculosis.
The methods of the present invention may be practiced in various applications. As noted above, the methods may be practiced, for example, to identify and analyze analytes present in a sample in solution. The methods may alternatively be practiced to identify multiple analytes of interest that are immobilized on a solid or semi-solid substrate. In yet other embodiments, the methods may be practiced by immobilizing the nucleic acid analog to a solid substrate, or by immobilizing all or part of the reporter complex to a solid substrate. Such variations are well known to those skilled in the art and can be selected and designed according to the needs of the particular application.
The cyanine dyes with counterions 3,3′-diethylthiacarbocyanine (DiSC2(3)), 3,3′-dipropylthiacarbocyanine (DiSC3(3)), 3,3′-dibutylthiacarbocyanine (DiSC4(3)) and 3,3′-dipentylthiacarbocyanine (DiSC5(3)) were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, Mo.) or FEW Chemicals (Wolfen, Germany) and were used without further purification. 3,3′-Di(3-propylpyridinium)thiacarbocyanine (DiSCpy(3)) was synthesized in the laboratory of Dr. Jerzy Paczkowski. Stock solutions of 7.5 mM dye in DMSO were prepared and stored at −20� C.
PNA oligomers (Table 1) were purchased from Panagene (Korea, www.panagene.com), and re-suspended in molecular biology grade water (HyClone, Logan, Utah) and stored at −20� C. To increase solubility all PNA oligomers have a N-terminal lysine. PNA oligomers with a C-terminal lysine had characteristics similar to the PNA oligomers with a N-terminal tag. DNA oligomers (Integrated DNA Technologies, Coralville, Iowa) were re-suspended in molecular biology grade water and stored at −20� C. Buffers were purchased from Research Organics (Cleveland, Ohio). Homopipes powder was dissolved in microbiology grade water to 20 mM, adjusted to pH 5.0 with 5N NaOH, and filtered through 0.2 μm sterile filter (Nalgene PES filter, part number 566-0020, Nalge Nunc International, Rochester, N.Y.). EDTA was purchased as 500 mM solution (Teknova, Hollister, Calif.), and diluted to the required concentration. Genomic DNA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) strain CDC1551 was obtained from Colorado State University (http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/microbiology/tb/dna.htm). Genomic DNAs from other bacteria were purchased from ATCC (Manassas, Va.) (Escherichia coli (700928D), Staphylococcus aureus (108320D), Streptococcus pneumoniae (BAA-334D), Haemophilus influenzae (51907D), Neisseria meningitidis (BAA-335D), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (47085) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (707721D). Human placental DNAs (lots 14686, 02153787, and 123K3786) were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, Mo.). All DNAs were re-suspended in molecular biology grade water and stored at −20� C.
Reaction mixtures were prepared in 384-well white wall, optical bottom microplates (Nunc 242763, Nalge Nunc International, Rochester, N.Y.). Measurement of UV-vis, fluorescence spectra, and time-course assays of the decrease in absorbance at 556 nm with exposure to 470 nm light were performed with a Tecan Safire2 microplate reader (Tecan US, Durham, N.C.). A solid state smartDNA activator was developed by Advanced Scientific Consulting (Toronto, Canada) and consists of 192 2000-mcd 470 nm light emitting diodes (LED), (Jameco Electronics P/N 183222, Belmont, Calif.) arranged in a 5�7 inch rectangular array placed 2 inches above the microplate surface. This configuration produced an irradiance of approximately 2 mWcm−2 at the microplate surface. CD spectra were recorded on an Olis RSM 1000 circular dichroism spectrophotometer with a Quantum Northwest Peltier accessory located in the laboratory of Dr. Woolley at the Dept. of Chemistry, University of Toronto. Photolysis experiments were carried out in the laboratory of Dr. Jerzy Paczkowski.
For accelerated photobleaching assays performed in gels, the PNA-DNA oligomer duplexes were generated by mixing equal amounts of PNA (dissolved in water) and DNA complementary oligonucleotide (dissolved in 1�TE), heating the samples to 90� C. for 10 min and allowing them to cool slowly to room temperature in a heat block. 4 μL (2 pmoles) of DNA oligonucleotide or of the pre-annealed PNA:DNA duplex (2 pmoles each) was mixed with 4 μL of a 25% glycerol solution and loaded into a 1�TBE, 10% (19:1) non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel. After electrophoresis for 60 minutes at 300V, the gel was stained for 30 minutes in a 1�TBE solution containing 15 μM DiSC2(3). The gel was illuminated with a standard UV light box and black and white gel photos were taken at time zero and after 10 minutes exposure of the gel to a 15W white fluorescent light (Aurora 50/50, Fritz Industries, Mesquite, Tex.) at irradiance of 2 mWcm−2. The photo shown (
For the spectra studies, 17mer PNA, 17mer single stranded DNA, or the 17 bp pre-annealed PNA-DNA duplex was titrated into a final dye solution of 9 μM, and final buffer of 10 mM Homopipes, pH5.0. Spectra were scanned immediately.
For the photolysis studies, 500 mg of DiSC2(3) was dissolved in 4 L of KH2PO4/Na2HPO4 buffer (pH 7.0) and placed in 5 L immersion well photoreactor equipped with 400 W medium pressure mercury lamp (Photochemical Reactors Ltd, UK). The solution, in the presence of oxygen (bubbled using the gas inlet tube), was exposed to the filtered mercury lamp emission for 10 to 12 hours until it became completely clear and the organic photobleached products were then extracted with chloroform. The UV portion of the mercury lamp's emission was eliminated using a liquid K2CO3 filter. The solvent was evaporated and the components of the residue were separated using column flash chromatography. This yielded two major products of which only one was stable. The structure of the stable product was analyzed using 1H NMR spectroscopy.
A previous report by Smith et al.32 focused on the interaction of DiSC2(5) with PNA-DNA oligomer duplexes. However, they also briefly looked at the interaction of other cyanine dyes with the PNA-DNA duplex, including DiSC2(3). In these spectral studies they observed that there was a broadened absorbance band with DiSC2(3) upon interaction with the short PNA-DNA duplex. No further observations were reported. We were interested in further characterizing the interaction of DiSC2(3) with PNA-DNA duplex, and focused on the development of the unique interaction into a practical DNA diagnostics method.
The interaction of carbocyanine dyes with PNA-DNA duplexes were studied through UV-vis, CD and fluorescence spectra. Spectra were obtained for the dye only, the dye mixed with 17mer PNA, the dye mixed with the complementary 17mer DNA oligonucleotide, and dye mixed with a pre-annealed PNA-DNA 17mer duplex. For these experiments TB23, a 17mer PNA, with its complementary DNA strand was used. All spectra were obtained in the 10 mM, pH 5.0 Homopipes buffer.
The UV-vis spectra of DiSC2(3) alone and of all 5 dyes (ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl and propylpyridinium) combined with a pre-formed PNA-DNA 17mer duplex are shown in
DiSCpy(3) did not show the new 470 nm band in the presence of the PNA-DNA duplex (
DiSC2(3) is a symmetrical achiral molecule; thus, the dye alone has no CD spectra. Upon interaction of the dye with either the right-handed PNA-DNA duplex or DNA duplex, the dye adopts the chirality of the target duplex32, 38. If the dye interacts with the helical PNA-DNA duplex, an induced CD spectrum for the resulting dye-duplex complex is produced (
There are 3 different interaction mechanisms of small molecules with duplexes: intercalation (and half-intercalation), groove binding and non-specific electrostatic interactions19-23. For DNA-DNA duplexes, all of the above interaction modes have been reported, while for PNA-DNA or PNA-PNA duplexes, only groove binding and non-specific electrostatic interactions have been reported. When a fluorescent molecule is intercalated into the base pairs of duplexes, internal rotation of the dye molecule is restricted and generally fluorescence enhancement is observed. If a single fluorescent molecule binds to the groove of the duplex, a similar fluorescent enhancement occurs. However, when the binding of an initial dye molecule facilitates the cooperative binding of a second or even third molecule and causes them to assemble in parallel, as observed in H-aggregate, the fluorescence of the dye molecules is quenched38.
The fluorescence pattern of DiSC2(3) and DiSCpy(3) with PNA-DNA duplexes are very different (
This experiment was performed to determine if the decrease in the 556 nm dye monomer band and the appearance of the 470 nm band observed in solution with dye-PNA-DNA could be observed on a gel. The gel allows the separation of the free dye, the dye-PNA-DNA duplex and the DNA (with or without dye). Thus, we could also determine the interaction of each complex with light. PNA has a neutral backbone, thus in a PNA-DNA duplex, the lower molecular weight to charge ratio results in gel retardation. We used a modified non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis assay (PAGE) to observe the different effects of DNA vs. PNA-DNA on dye photobleaching in a gel. Upon exposure of the DiSC2(3)-stained gel to light, accelerated photobleaching of DiSC2(3) occurred at positions in the gel that correspond to the location of PNA-DNA duplexes (
III. Aspects of the Dye-PNA-DNA Accelerated Photobleaching Reaction in Solution with Genomic DNA
The observed interaction and accelerated photobleaching of dye DiSC2(3) in the presence of PNA-DNA duplexes can be used in the detection of DNA. A novel phenomenon has been observed; when a PNA probe (TB14), genomic DNA and DiSC2(3) were combined in buffer, and exposed to light at the aggregate absorbance wavelength of 470 nm, accelerated photobleaching was observed only when the genomic DNA contained the PNA probe target. This entire process, which results in a rapid accelerated photobleaching reaction of the dye, is termed a smartDNA assay.
smartDNA™ reactions were set up with dye, PNA probe and various amounts of genomic DNA isolated from M. tuberculosis. The photobleaching experiments were carried out in microplates with a final 50 μl reaction volume for each mixture. Generally 25 μl of samples containing different amounts of DNA in 1 mM EDTA were aliquoted into each well. Cyanine dyes were then mixed with the specific PNA probe in 20 mM Homopipes, pH 5.0 buffer plus 0.1% Tween 80 and to the DNA. After an incubation of 10 minutes in dark, changes in absorbance at 556 nm as a function of light exposure time were recorded. The absorbance decreases at a greater rate in samples containing genomic M. tuberculosis DNA than in any of the controls. Initial rates of absorbance change (expressed in milliabsorbance units/minute) are reasonably linear for the first 4 minutes, and are proportional to the amount of target DNA present (
Typically, mismatched probes are used as negative controls in DNA based assays. However, due to the lack of mature probe design rationale of PNA, and also in our practice we have found that some of the PNA probes we have designed do not work as expected in the smartDNA assay; thus, using a mismatched PNA as a control yields no useful information unless it has first been shown to work in a separate genomic system. So far we have only developed a smartDNA assay for M. tuberculosis and have found that testing the PNAs that work in this system against other microorganisms that do not contain complementary binding sites, a more useful indicator of specificity.
To further validate the potential utility of smartDNA for routine genomic DNA detection the specificity of the system using DiSC2(3) and the specific M. tuberculosis PNA probe, TB14, was tested with DNA isolated from human, E. coli, S. aureus, S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, N. meningitidis, P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae. Based on genomic sequence data, in silico validation was performed to verify that the genomes of these organisms do not contain sites complementary to TB14.
Among the 5 carbocyanine dye derivatives, DiSC2(3), the dye with ethyl substitutions, shows the accelerated photobleaching reaction in the presence of PNA and genomic DNA. The other 4 dyes, DiSC3(3), DiSC4(3), DiSC5(3), and DiSCpy(3), exhibit substantially less photobleaching using the same conditions of PNA probe, buffer, genomic DNA, and light exposure (
It is possible that the structure of the dye-PNA-DNA pre-annealed oligomer system might be different from that of the dye-PNA-DNA genomic DNA system. In the genomic DNA system, the PNA and dye are bound to high molecular weight double stranded DNA. A significant, and as yet unexplained, sensitivity difference exists between smartDNA reactions run on oligomer DNA targets as compared to smartDNA reactions run on genomic DNA targets. The genomic DNA targets are detectable at approximately one million fold lower concentration (femtomolar vs. nanomolar) than the oligomer DNA targets. Investigations are ongoing to understand this important difference.
To obtain sufficient material for chemical characterization steady-state photolysis of a large quantity, 500 mg, of DiSC2(3) was performed. Dye dissolved in aerated pH 7 phosphate buffer was exposed to the visible portion of light from a medium pressure mercury lamp for 10-12 hours, until the pink color of the dye solution was completely cleared. Two major products of photolysis were separated using column chromatography; of which only one was stable. NMR spectra indicate that during the photolysis of the dye in the presence of oxygen, 3-ethyl-2(3H)-benzothiazolone (shown in
All publications, patents, and patent applications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties, respectively, for all purposes and to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be so incorporated by reference. Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings of this invention that certain changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
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Bugzilla Bug
Bug database has a bug of its own that could allow an intruder to create an unauthorized account.
US Launches New Strategy for Broadband Access
Report focuses federal resources on achieving universal Internet access.
RC4 Finally Gets the Fork
Leading browser makers say "no" to porous encryption algorithm
IBM Says TOR Network a Vehicle for Ransomware
Report from the X-Force group says attackers are using TOR to hide their crimes
Mozilla Announces new Firefox API
Future Firefox extensions will be compatible with Chrome.
Weird Security Flaw Affected Intel Chips for 16 Years
Better read this if you bought your computer before 2011
OpenSSH 7.0 Secure Shell Arrives
Users should upgrade to the new version as soon as possible
Qemu Flaw Lets the Guest Escape
Xen project announces a privilege escalation problem for Qemu host systems
Android Bug Threatens Millions of Users
Attackers can compromise an Android phone just by sending a text message
Lenovo and Canonical Announce Laptop Deal
PC vendor will pre-install Ubuntu on portables in India.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Displaying 1 - 10 of 197 results
Sort by
Sheet 005
Map of Flintshire
Babell, Cwm, Downing, Gorsedd, Lloc, Marian Cwm, Mertyn, Pantasaph, Pen-y-cefn, Rhuallt, Trelawnyd, Whitford, CH8 8, LL18 5, CH8 9, LL18 6, CH7 5, LL17 0
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OS Map name 071/SE
Map of Devon
Hampton, Maidenhayne, Musbury, Seaton Junction, Shute, Whitford, EX13 7, EX13 8
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Queen Mary - Volume 6: November 1555
Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Edward, Mary and Elizabeth, 1547-80
of Whitford to him. Nov. 2. 40. Same to Walgrave, and others, his trustees. Authorizes them to part with the manor of Whitford in Devon to Sir Wm. Petre. ... Directions for the sale of the manor of ...
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Editorial note
A History of the County of Hertford: Volume 2
A. Whitford Anderson, A.R.I.B.A.; Miss Birkett; Mr. Percival C. Blow,
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City of Westminster, St Anne Westminster, Frith Street West
Four Shillings in the Pound Aid 1693/4 the City of London, the City of Westminster, Middlesex
Whitford, Henry 6.00 30.00 1.20 100.00 Sherron, Paul 4.00 20.00 0.30 25.00
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Cases before the Committee: November 1659
Calendar, Committee For Compounding: Part 5
who conceal delinquents' estates. 59 138 Hugh Pennant, Whitford, Co. Flint. Vol.
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House of Lords Journal Volume 10: 5 December 1648
Journal of the House of Lords: Volume 10, 1648-1649
by the Counsel of Oliver Plaintiff, and Whitford Defendant: But it appearing upon
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List of Manors
Calendar of Close Rolls, Edward IV: Volume 1, 1461-1468
Westdown. Whitford. Whitstone. Wiscombe. Woodford. Yarnescombe. Yealmton.
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Index: Index of principal places
A Topographical Dictionary of Wales
Bychton, Whitford. C. Cader Idris, Dlgelley. Cadnant, Llandysillio. Cae ... river; Mallwyd and Merioneth. Dowlais, Merthyr-Tydvil. Downing, Whitford ... Llanervul. Garreg, Whitford. Garth,...
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Close Rolls, Edward III: December 1352
Calendar of Close Rolls, Edward III: Volume 9, 1349-1354
to the lords of the manor of Whitford in that county a moiety of all the profits
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text:
leave keys
per day
to the airport
customer rating
Save on parking
Parking so simple, it almost feels like cheating. Pull into the airport's Short Stay car park, meet an airport chauffeur, hand over your keys and your job is done. Your car will be stored in the airport's own Long Stay car park with hourly patrols and CCTV, then the chauffeur will bring it back to the Short Stay car park when you return. 100% of our customers who bought this package would do so again, so who are we to argue?
Reasons to book East Midlands Airport Meet and Greet
- Once you've tried the airport's own Meet and Greet service, you're not likely to park any other way again, and that's official - 100% of our customers agree.
- Absolutely the closest parking you can get at East Midlands airport - the Meet and Greet drop-off point is at the Short Stay car park.
- No need to wait for a transfer bus, just pull up to the Short Stay car park.
- Relax knowing your car will be stored in a car park with hourly patrols, 24-hour CCTV and number plate recognition restricting entry.
Arrival at East Midlands Airport Meet and Greet
Take the middle lane for the Short Stay car park and Meet and Greet. At the barrier, press the button and take a ticket. The barrier will lift to let you in, then bear left following signs for Pre-booked Meet and Greet. 15 metres on your left, you'll see another barrier. Pull up to this and you'll be met by the Meet and Greet team, who'll show you where to park and tell you how to check-in. You'll need to give them your keys, and they'll attach a tag and put a sticker on your parking ticket. You keep your ticket, but leave the keys with them and your car will be driven to another car park during that day. All you need to do then is walk the short distance to the terminal and catch your flight.
Getting to and from East Midlands airport
There's no need to transfer to the airport. You'll be leaving your car at Short Stay, just a two-minute walk from the terminal.
On your return to East Midlands Airport Meet and Greet
When you arrive back, go to reception and hand over your barrier ticket with the sticker. They'll use this to match up the stickers with those on your keys and will give you your keys back. They'll also give you a new ticket for the barrier. Pick up your car and then head to the barrier, slot in the new ticket and the barriers will lift and you can just drive on home.
East Midlands Airport Meet and Greet Address
East Midlands Airport,
Castle Donington,
Longitude -1.32915
Latitude 52.82608


text:
Which comes first, the demand for CNG chickens or the supply of CNG eggs?
Increasing the number of compressed natural gas vehicles has long been a which-comes-first question, mostly regarding the supply of CNG fueling stations versus the demand by motorists for CNG. But the question is also brooding in the henhouses of carmakers. They want to know how many CNG units they can sell before investing in the retooling of plants.


text:
|Small album leaf with scholar on a river. Signed: Yue An zhu ren. Qing
|Chinese Cloisonne Decorated Paktong Opium Pipe, Box, Tools, Base Suite
|"Johanneum" marked plate, Kangxi ( 1662 -1722 )
|Fine Neolithic Jade Comb-Form Pendant
|Mezzotint by Kaoru Saito Woman with Leafy Shawl - '78
These items are suggestions from sponsoring members.


text:
Stupid foremilk/hindmilk
Anne - Loving wife to David, AP/HS'ING/SAHM to Ryleigh 8/26/05, Delylah 202/08, and Jameson Grey 12/7/12
I love my boys!!!
John 11/26/06 James 1/20/09 Joseph 12/22/12
Jake 11/18/14
Jave you tried cabbage compresses? Only 20 mins at a time but it helped... its apparently the cheayers way but seriously? My breasts already look like force flex trash bags!!
Married to my other half 12-31-03, Julia 07/09/04, Philip 12/19/12
BWing, Bfing, CDing, PCOSing, TTCing bookworm
TTC over 5 years Mini IVF was a success!
BF Mama-
Beautiful baby girl arrived on the 6th Oct 2009
Another beautiful baby girl arrived on the 9th Oct 2010
Another gorgeous arrival on the 29th Dec 2012
Addie- some babies aren't effected by it at all but my little lady always gets VERY colicky when she doesn't get the hind milk--she has a sensitive stomach and the foremilk is too much lactose for her. That's the only way I can tell.
My baby has been so colicky the last 2 days, I have also been breast feeding like crazy because she just want's the comfort at night. That's why I was wondering. But I also made no bake cookies with baking coco and not sure if that's whats doing it. Thanks for the info I will try to get more hind milk see if it helps her.
TTC over 5 years Mini IVF was a success!
BF Mama-


text:
View the original article at: http://www.nationalenquirer.com/celebrity/megyn-kelly-bitch-slaps-dick-cheney-you-got-it-wrong-iraq-wmds-isis-obama
Foxy MEGYN KELLY takes a chunk out of former VP DICK CHENEY over Iraq, his diss of Pres. OBAMA and those non-existent WMDs.
The Fox News Channel anchor sat down with the former VP of the Dubya Administration after Cheney wrote a poison-pen op-ed for the Wall Street Journal slamming Pres. Obama for his management of the ongoing crisis in Iraq
In his op-ed, Cheney wrote: "Rarely has a U.S. president been so wrong about so much at the expense of so many. Too many times to count, Mr. Obama has told us he is 'ending' the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan—as though wishing made it so. His rhetoric has now come crashing into reality. Watching the black-clad ISIS jihadists take territory once secured by American blood is final proof, if any were needed, that America's enemies are not 'decimated.' They are emboldened and on the march."
On her Fox News Channel show, "The Kelly File", even Megyn took umbrage to Cheney's piece. She read aloud a nasty response that appeared in The Washington Post.
She then asked Dick: "The suggestion then is that you caused this mess, Mr. Vice President. What say you?"
"Well, obviously I disagree," Cheney snapped, sitting with his daughter Liz. who co-authored the op-ed piece. "I think we went into Iraq for very good reasons."
Then, Megyn took Cheney to the matt, pinning him with his own words as she dissected his piece and pointing out several statements of Cheney's that were proved to be WRONG.
"Time and time again, history has proven that you got it wrong as well in Iraq, sir," Kelly said.
"You said there was no doubt Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. You said we would be greeted as liberators. You said the Iraq insurgency was in its last throes back in 2005, and you said that after our intervention, extremists would have to quote 'rethink their strategy of jihad.' Now, with almost a trillion dollars spent there, with almost 4,500 American lives lost there, what do you say to those who say you were so wrong about so much at the expense of so many?"
"Well, I just fundamentally disagree," Cheney replied. "You've got to go back and look at the track record. We inherited a situation where there was no doubt in anybody's mind about the extent of Saddam's involvement in weapons of mass destruction. We had a situation where, after 9/11, we were concerned about a follow-up attack that would involve not just airline tickets and box cutters as the weapons but rather something far deadlier, perhaps even a nuclear weapon."
Yes, "perhaps even a nuclear weapon"…one that was located somewhere in the back of YOUR MIND.
[1] http://www.nationalenquirer.com/javascript:;
[2] http://www.nationalenquirer.com/celebrity/exclusive-photos-pattinson-perry-all-over-each-other-party
[3] http://www.nationalenquirer.com/celebrity/exclusive-interview-mad-mel-gibson-new-hate-list-revealed


text:
WHYY Events
- October 14: I Heart the Arts I Heart the Arts Happy Hour is dedicated to engaging and connecting creative curators and business professionals through a celebration of arts and culture. The event will pay a special tribute to the Latino community through song, dance and visual art.
- October 17: Patrick J. Kennedy & Stephen Fried: A Common Struggle Join WHYY's Elana Gordon as she sits down with Representative Patrick Kennedy to discuss his new book, A Common Struggle. The book examines Kennedy's journey toward recovery and reflects on treating mental illnesses as "family secrets."
- October 21: America's Test Kitchen Live at the Merriam Theatre Christopher Kimball, host of the public television show America's Test Kitchen, brings a private insider's tour of the famous test kitchen, the TV shows, the radio show and the testing process itself to the Philadelphia area and the Merriam Theatre.
- October 24: Weis Healthy Kids Day with WHYY and Clifford the Big Red Dog The beloved giant pooch from Birdwell Island is visiting his friends in New Hope to share crafts and stories! Sample healthy snacks from Weis Markets while getting your photo with Clifford, then explore the Bucks County Children's Museum.
- October 25: What's it Worth? Have you ever wondered what that old lamp might be worth? Join us for an Antiques Roadshow-style appraisal fair to find out. Expert appraisers from Freeman's Auctioneers & Appraisers will be on hand to appraise a wide variety of art, antiques and other items.
- October 28: On Two Fronts: Screening and Art Showcase Experience the visual art, poetry and spoken word performances of veterans living in the Philadelphia area. Preview the new PBS documentary which encourages us to think critically about the ways Latino soldiers were drawn into the Vietnam War.
- November 9: Unstoppable: The "Science Guy" talks Climate Change with The Pulse Bill Nye will bring his unique outlook to Philadelphia in conversation with WHYY's Maiken Scott during a recording of the health and science show The Pulse at The Franklin Institute.
- November 11: Visionaries: Screening and Panel Discussion Join WHYY, PlanPhilly and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP) for a peak into Philadelphia's past, and a look forward into the future. Guess the dates and location of historic Philadelphia photographs — many not seen by the public for decades!
- November 20: Lidia's Mastering the Art of Italian Cuisine Lidia Bastianich is visiting Philadelphia for a tasting and live conversation about her latest cookbook. A beautifully produced definitive guide to Italian cooking, coauthored with her daughter, Tanya—covering everything from ingredients to techniques to tools, plus more than 400 delectable recipes.
- December 16: 2015 Holiday Tribbilee: The Force Hiccups Join us for a celebration of Star Wars, and quirky look at the infamous 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special. Sit-in for a live recording of the podcast with special guests Derrick Pitts, host of Skytalk and Chief Astronomer at The Franklin Institute, and singer/songwriter Rachael Rota with Star Trek inspired music.
About WHYY Events
Each year, WHYY hosts over 80 events connecting you to the best that public media and the region have to offer, including meet-and-greet opportunities with your favorite public media personalities like Ira Glass, Terry Gross, Jim Lehrer and yes, Cookie Monster; film screenings; political and policy forums; concerts; PBS Kids character parties; and much, much more.
WHYY members have access to special Member-only events and opportunities, and receive free or discounted admission to all other WHYY events. Also, with the WHYY Member Card, WHYY members receive 2-for-1 admission and other great discounts at a wide variety of the region's museums; cultural, educational and family-friendly organizations; performing arts and theater venues; and more! Visit WHYY's Member Card Partner Page for the full list.
Not a member? Join today and start taking advantage of these great benefits!
Stay up to date with news that matters most to you! Sign up for free to receive any of our newsletters!
Courses at WHYY's Public Media Commons
The Public Media Commons is a physical embodiment of WHYY's commitment to community engagement. It serves as a hub of media literacy for the Philadelphia area, a gathering place for educators, a hands-on learning environment for students and a venue for performers and lecturers. Select a course below for more information and to register, or view the current course catalog (PDF).
Summer Camps
Y201 -- Young Journalists Summer Camp 2013
- Monday thru Friday / June 24 - July 5, 2013 — 9AM-4PM »
- Monday thru Friday / August 5 - 16, 2013 — 9AM-4PM »
Y202 -- WHYY Film Academy 2013
Adult Learning Courses
C101 -- Intro to Shooting Video
- Wednesday, September 11, 2013 — 6:30-9:00PM »
- Wednesday, October 30, 2013 — 6:30-9:00PM »
- Saturday, November 30, 2013 — 1:00-3:30PM »
- Thursday, February 20, 2014 — 6:30-9:00PM »
- Tuesday, April 22, 2014 — 6:30-9:00PM »
C102 -- Intro to Video Editing
- Wednesday, September 18, 2013 — 6:30-9:00PM »
- Wednesday, November 6, 2013 — 6:30-9:00PM »
- Saturday, December 7, 2013 — 1:00-3:30PM »
- Thursday, February 27, 2014 — 6:30-9:00PM »
- Tuesday, April 29, 2014 — 6:30-9:00PM »
C202 -- Beginning Documentary Production
- Wednesdays, October 2, 9, 16, and 23, 2013 — 6:00-9:00 PM »
- Saturdays, January 11, 18, 27, and February 1, 2014 — 1:00-4:00 PM »
- Saturdays, March 22, 29, April 5, and 12, 2014 — 1:00-4:00 PM »
C203 -- Audio Storytelling
- Saturdays: May 18, 25, June 1, and 8, 2013 — 1:00-3:30 PM »
- Wednesdays January 8, 15, 22, and 29 2014 — 6:00-9:00 PM »
- Saturdays May 17, 24, 31 and June 7, 2014 — 1:00-3:30 PM »
C204 -- Editing with Final Cut Pro
- Wednesdays: June 5, 12, and 19, 2013 — 6:30-9:00 PM »
- Monday, Dec. 9; Wednesday, Dec. 11; and Friday, Dec. 13, 2013 — 6:30-9:00 PM »
- Wednesdays: June 4, 11, and 18, 2014 — 6:30-9:00 PM »
C301 -- Intermediate Documentary Production
- Course registration coming soon
C401 -- Advanced Documentary Seminar
- Course registration coming soon
C105 -- Stories of Mom and Dad
- Stories of Mom: Saturday, May 11, 2013 — 1:00-3:30PM »
- Stories of Dad: Sunday, June 16, 2013 — 1:00-3:30PM »
C104 -- Tell Your Story
- This experience is offered by appointment only. For more information and to make an appointment to tell your story, call 215-351-3318.
Courses for Educators
E201 -- Teaching Documentary Production
- Course registration coming soon
E202 -- Teaching News Literacy
- Course registration coming soon
E301 -- Teaching Multimedia Journalism
- Course registration coming soon
Youth Afterschool Courses
Y101 -- Documentary Workshop
- Course registration coming soon
Y102 -- Studio Production
- Course registration coming soon
Y102 -- Radio Production
- Course registration coming soon
Arts Shuffle
WHYY's Arts Shuffle highlights what's going on in your area with a weekly selection of regional arts and culture opportunities. Plus, an in-depth listing in the NewsWorks entertainment gude. See what's new »
Events with You Bet Your Garden's host, Mike McGrath
Mark your calendars! Here's where Mike will be appearing this year:
Sunday, October 18: Fredericksburg Fall Home & Craft Show
Expo & Conference Center; Fredericksburg, VA
Mike's times and topics to be announced soon.
Show details: http://www.fredericksburgfallhomeshow.com/
And already booked for 2016!
April 9: Lancaster PA Master Gardeners
Lancaster, PA
Details to come
October 8: Heritage Farm at Methodist Services Celebrates the 3rd Annual Heritage Farm Fare at Belmont Mansion
4300 Monument Road, Philadelphia, PA 19131
On Thursday, October 8th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, Heritage Farm Fare will raise funds to help fulfill our farm's mission: to support healthy eating, physical activity, community engagement and a connection to the natural world. This year, from 4:30 to 6:00pm, Heritage Farm Fare will be offering a limited ticketing VIP tour of the farm prior to the event. Tickets for the VIP hour are $100 and include admission to the main event. Enjoy a specially prepared farm tasting with Alex Garfinkel Catering and Get Real, Get Raw while learning about the farm and our programs.
Tickets for this event can be purchased by visiting Heritage Farm's website: http://www.heritagefarmphiladelphia.org/events.
October 10: Meadowbrook Hosts a Day of Plant Sales, Family Fun
PHS Meadowbrook Farm, located at 1633 Washington Lane in Abington Township, PA
How much fun can you have with a pumpkin? Take your pick of pleasing gourds, enter the carving contest, take a brush to their smooth canvas, or launch little orbs far into the sky at the PHS Meadowbrook Farm Fall Open House on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The seasonal celebration will feature a fantastic fall plant sale, a range of family activities, refreshments, music, expert gardening tips, and self-guided tours of the beautiful estate house and gardens. The garden center will offer a rainbow of mums, violas and pansies, ornamental kales, cabbages and cool-weather vegetables, and an assortment of specialty pumpkins. Shoppers will save 15 percent on mums and fall annuals, 25 percent on perennials, and 35 percent on trees and shrubs.
For more information about Meadowbrook Farm and the Fall Open House, call 215.887.5900, or visit www.meadowbrookfarm.org.
October 16: PHeaSt
Navy Yard, South Philadelphia
Hosted by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the fourth annual PHeaSt brings together renowned chefs and urban growers for a special party to benefit the PHS City Harvest program, which provides locally grown food for families in need and helps build healthy communities. The event has been a sell-out each year, as hundreds of Philly-area foodies come to sample new seasonal dishes by the culinary and gardening teams.
Tickets for this event can be purchased at: https://www.pennhort.net/pheast?erid=6571542&trid=48a8f4ec-ade8-4370-84bd-20dfec82d56c.
October 17: Small Trees for Residential Landscapes
Morris Arboretum, 100 E Northwestern Ave, Philadelphia, PA
Today's home landscapes are often smaller and busy lifestyles mean less time for property maintenance. Join Morris Arboretum horticulturist Louise Clarke as she discusses small trees suited for residential properties- those that typically grow less than forty feet tall. We will consider trees that bloom from spring to summer, including natives and non-native varieties. Learn about placement, light and moisture requirements, soil conditions, planting techniques, and other pertinent cultural tips to help you make the best choice for your property. The class will consist of a lecture and a walk through the Arboretum's living collection to see small tree specimens. Dress for the weather.
Tickets for this event can be purchased by visiting Morris Arboretum's website: https://online.morrisarboretum.org/classes.
October 23 - 24: Soul Crawl: Haunted History Halloween Tours
Laurel Hill Cemetery; 3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia PA, 19132
Behold the return of Laurel Hill Cemetery's annual Halloween flashlight tours of yore. No longer featuring the actors, the program will return to its roots as extended nighttime walking tours of the cemetery, focusing on its rich history, and covering its enchanting art and landscape. Tours will last approximately two hours, and will be followed by complimentary cookies and cider aside blazing fire pits. Bring your own flashlights. Two evenings of the Soul Crawl: Haunted History Halloween Tours are scheduled at Laurel Hill: Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24 at 7:00 pm. Visit www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org for more information.
October 24: Green Roof Tour
Scott Arboretum Gardens
Learn about the inner workings, benefits, and beauty of green roofs while exploring the three we have at the Arboretum. Please note the level of difficulty on these tours is higher than others we offer; a brisk walk and several steps are required to reach the final roof. Children under the age of 12 are not permitted on the roofs. The tour will begin at the Scott Arboretum offices and is free and open to the public. In case of inclement weather, the tour will be canceled. For more information, please call the Scott Arboretum offices at 610-328-8025 or visit www.scottarboretum.org.
October 30: True Tales from the Tombs: Mischief Night by Firelight
Laurel Hill Cemetery; 3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia PA, 19132
This Mischief Night, performers will regale you with true tales from Laurel Hill Cemetery's historic tombs. From the desecrated grave of a prestigious doctor; to the woman who is buried in two places, True Tales from the Tombs will feature stories of the Cemetery's most provocative and memorable permanent residents, as they return from the dead to tell their stories. Featuring The Not Ready for After-Life Players as storytellers of these otherworldly tales, the candlelit tours will depart every half-hour through the stones and mausoleums of Laurel Hill. Afterwards, slow your slow heart rate with hot cider and cookies. Bring your own flashlights. Visit www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org for more information.
October 31: Fall Color Tour
Scott Arboretum Gardens
Experience the magical colors of Mother Nature as the season turns. Learn about great fall plants and plant combinations to bring this color display into your garden. This tour is geared for gardeners from beginners to experts. The tour will begin at the Scott Arboretum offices and is free and open to the public. In case of inclement weather, the tour will be canceled. For more information, please call the Scott Arboretum offices at 610-328-8025 or visit www.scottarboretum.org.
October 31: Fall Family Day: Halloween Picnic and Parade
Laurel Hill Cemetery; 3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia PA, 19132
Spend an autumn afternoon exploring the many wonders and mysteries of Laurel Hill Cemetery while celebrating Halloween! Fall Fun for the Family at Laurel Hill will thrill and chill both the young and old! The cemetery's primary location overlooking the Schuylkill River will offer visitors majestic views of the colorful fall foliage and vibrant landscape along Kelly Drive. Activities will include arts and crafts, a pumpkin patch, Halloween games and goodies, and festive readings by the Storybook Fairy. Feast on treats by SpOt Burger, a local Philadelphia food truck, or bring your own picnic. Attendees are advised to wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and children are encouraged to show off their Halloween costumes! This program is recommended for families with children ages 4-12. Visit www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org for more information.
Morris Arboretum's Scarecrow Design Contest
Morris Arboretum is calling all scarecrows for its annual Scarecrow Design Contest. This year participants may create a scarecrow for the theme: Famous Art & Artists. Sign-up by Thursday, September 24 to ensure your place in the contest! Entry fee is $30, with a $5 discount for those who register by Friday, September 11. Scarecrow frames, straw, burlap and twine are all provided. Details and downloadable contest entry forms are available online at www.bit.ly/MAcrows .
Master Gardener Program Announces New Classes for 2015-2016
Middlesex County EARTH Center in Davidson Mill Pond Park, located at 42 Riva Ave., South Brunswick, NJ
The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County is offering both daytime and evening sessions for this program. Orientation (attendance is optional) will be on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 6:30 p.m. for the evening class and Friday, Sept. 11 at 9:30 a.m. for the Friday morning class. The program officially starts on Sept. 17 and 18. The class is open to all New Jersey residents.
The Master Gardeners are community volunteers trained in earth-friendly gardening and environmental principles. Lecture classes meet once per week for 3 hours from mid-September through mid-April. These classes will incorporate some outdoor time in a County park.
The hands-on garden classes meet weekly from April through mid-September (every other week in summer). During these sessions, new students will create and care for demonstration vegetable and herb gardens.
Topics covered in the program include: sound gardening techniques; composting; creative methods of conserving resources, and horticulture therapy. The program also requires participants to volunteer some hours of service towards Extension projects, activities and events throughout the year.
Those interested in joining the program can call the EARTH Center at 732-398-5262 for more information or visit www.co.middlesex.nj.us and search Master Gardeners.
February 3 - 6: Farming in a Changing Climate
Penn Stater Conference Center in State College, PA.
The Farming for the Future Conference is the largest sustainable agriculture conference in the East, bringing together an audience of over 2,000 farmers, processors, consumers, students, environmentalists and business and community leaders annually. This year's choices of theme and keynote speakers, Richard Alley and Laura Lengnick, reflect the increasing impact of climate change on our agricultural systems and the need to seek out techniques and strategies to mitigate and adapt to its effects.
Registration is required to attend. Pre-registration will open in November 2015 and close on January 25, 2016. For more information please call (814) 349-9856 or visit pasafarming.org/conference.