The invention is directed to a method for detecting RNA, DNA or protein target sequences by a) Hybridizing a library of probes having the general formula (I)

P—(CL-D).sub.x  (I)  With P: probes having at least 10 nucleotides or amino acids CL: cleavable linker D: fluorescent dye X: integer between 1 and 5  to RNA, DNA or protein target sequences wherein the library comprises probes P having different sequences of nucleotides or amino acids and cleavable linkers CL of different groups which are cleavable with different means b) Removing unhybridized probes and detecting the hybridized probes via the fluorophores D by a first image c) Cleaving sequentially by different means each group of chemical linkers CL from the hybridized probes; removing the thus cleaved fluorophores D and detecting the remaining hybridized probes via their fluorophores D by a second image d) Detecting the removed fluorophores D by comparing the first and second image. e) Obtaining a part of the sequence information of the target sequences via the sequence information of the probes P associated with the removed fluorophores D f) Repeating step c) until all groups of chemical linkers CL are cleaved.

The invention is directed to a method for detecting RNA, DNA or protein target sequences by a) Hybridizing a library of probes having the general formula (I)

P—(CL-D).sub.x  (I)  With P: probes having at least 10 nucleotides or amino acids CL: cleavable linker D: fluorescent dye X: integer between 1 and 5  to RNA, DNA or protein target sequences wherein the library comprises probes P having different sequences of nucleotides or amino acids and cleavable linkers CL of different groups which are cleavable with different means b) Removing unhybridized probes and detecting the hybridized probes via the fluorophores D by a first image c) Cleaving sequentially by different means each group of chemical linkers CL from the hybridized probes; removing the thus cleaved fluorophores D and detecting the remaining hybridized probes via their fluorophores D by a second image d) Detecting the removed fluorophores D by comparing the first and second image. e) Obtaining a part of the sequence information of the target sequences via the sequence information of the probes P associated with the removed fluorophores D f) Repeating step c) until all groups of chemical linkers CL are cleaved.

The present invention relates to a method of spatially barcoding a given location on a substrate, and further to spatially barcoding detection probes present in a sample such as a biological tissue specimen for the purposes of analysing molecular features present in the tissue. Such analysis may include: i) the spatial expression of one or more biological molecules, specifically; ii) the spatial analysis of the transcriptome and/or iii) the spatial analysis of the proteome, including post-translational protein modifications. The invention further relates to various component products for performing such methods that include reagents kits, instrumentation and software.

The present invention relates to a method of spatially barcoding a given location on a substrate, and further to spatially barcoding detection probes present in a sample such as a biological tissue specimen for the purposes of analysing molecular features present in the tissue. Such analysis may include: i) the spatial expression of one or more biological molecules, specifically; ii) the spatial analysis of the transcriptome and/or iii) the spatial analysis of the proteome, including post-translational protein modifications. The invention further relates to various component products for performing such methods that include reagents kits, instrumentation and software.

Methods and compositions are described for multi-stage primer extension reactions such as multiplex polymerase chain reactions (PCR) and reverse transcriptase PCR. Primer extension stages are performed in a closed vessel without opening the vessel between stages. The multi-stage primer extension methods and compositions utilize earlier stage primers in an earlier stage and later stage primers in a later stage, wherein the later stage primers are blocked from extension during the earlier stage. The blocked primers of the present technology comprise photocleavable blocking groups and are substantially inactive until the blocking group is cleaved by exposure to ultraviolet light. The blocked primers can be activated by ultraviolet light without opening the vessel.

Methods and compositions are described for multi-stage primer extension reactions such as multiplex polymerase chain reactions (PCR) and reverse transcriptase PCR. Primer extension stages are performed in a closed vessel without opening the vessel between stages. The multi-stage primer extension methods and compositions utilize earlier stage primers in an earlier stage and later stage primers in a later stage, wherein the later stage primers are blocked from extension during the earlier stage. The blocked primers of the present technology comprise photocleavable blocking groups and are substantially inactive until the blocking group is cleaved by exposure to ultraviolet light. The blocked primers can be activated by ultraviolet light without opening the vessel.

This application provides a bead with a covalently attached chemical compound and a covalently attached DNA barcode and methods for using such beads. The bead has many substantially identical copies of the chemical compound and many substantially identical copies of the DNA barcode. The compound consists of one or more chemical monomers, where the DNA barcode takes the form of barcode modules, where each module corresponds to and allows identification of a corresponding chemical monomer. The nucleic acid barcode can have a concatenated structure or an orthogonal structure. Provided are a method for sequencing the bead-bound nucleic acid barcode, for cleaving the compound from the bead, and for assessing biological activity of the released compound.

This application provides a bead with a covalently attached chemical compound and a covalently attached DNA barcode and methods for using such beads. The bead has many substantially identical copies of the chemical compound and many substantially identical copies of the DNA barcode. The compound consists of one or more chemical monomers, where the DNA barcode takes the form of barcode modules, where each module corresponds to and allows identification of a corresponding chemical monomer. The nucleic acid barcode can have a concatenated structure or an orthogonal structure. Provided are a method for sequencing the bead-bound nucleic acid barcode, for cleaving the compound from the bead, and for assessing biological activity of the released compound.

A method generates a marker in a biological sample including a plurality of cells by means of oligonucleotide constructs. The method includes introducing at least a plurality of first oligonucleotide constructs into the biological sample. The plurality of first oligonucleotide constructs comprise a first promoter, a first nucleic acid sequence encoding a first fluorescent protein, and a first photoremovable cage molecule. The method also includes exposing, in particular scanning, at least a first region of the biological sample with a first spatially constrained light beam to form uncaged first oligonucleotide constructs in order to enable synthesis of first fluorescent proteins from the first nucleic acid sequence and generate at least a part of the marker in the first region of the biological sample.

A method generates a marker in a biological sample including a plurality of cells by means of oligonucleotide constructs. The method includes introducing at least a plurality of first oligonucleotide constructs into the biological sample. The plurality of first oligonucleotide constructs comprise a first promoter, a first nucleic acid sequence encoding a first fluorescent protein, and a first photoremovable cage molecule. The method also includes exposing, in particular scanning, at least a first region of the biological sample with a first spatially constrained light beam to form uncaged first oligonucleotide constructs in order to enable synthesis of first fluorescent proteins from the first nucleic acid sequence and generate at least a part of the marker in the first region of the biological sample.