A photocaged DNA nano-tweezer and methods of using said photocaged DNA nano-tweezer are described. In particular, provided herein is a DNA nano-tweezer comprising a hairpin with a single-stranded loop that comprises a first arm and a second arm; and a trigger strand complementary to the single-stranded loop and comprising at least one photocaged residue with a protecting group.

A photocaged DNA nano-tweezer and methods of using said photocaged DNA nano-tweezer are described. In particular, provided herein is a DNA nano-tweezer comprising a hairpin with a single-stranded loop that comprises a first arm and a second arm; and a trigger strand complementary to the single-stranded loop and comprising at least one photocaged residue with a protecting group.

The invention relates to methods for purifying and isolating at least one RNA molecule which interacts with an RNA-binding protein (RBP). The invention also provides nucleic acid adaptors and primers for use in such methods.

The invention relates to methods for purifying and isolating at least one RNA molecule which interacts with an RNA-binding protein (RBP). The invention also provides nucleic acid adaptors and primers for use in such methods.

A detector, and method, for detecting nucleic acids includes a transmitter adapted to transmit light at 260 nm over an area of illumination, a receiver adapted to receive light at 260 nm from the area of illumination, a comparator adapted to compare the amplitude of light received by the receiver to a background level and to produce a hot-spot signal indicative of the presence of a nucleic acid when the amplitude is attenuated relative to the background level, and a display adapted to display the hot-spot. Preferably, the detector further includes a photographic detector adapted to receive an optical background image over an area including the area of illumination, the display adapted to display the optical background image and the hot-spot within the optical background image.

A detector, and method, for detecting nucleic acids includes a transmitter adapted to transmit light at 260 nm over an area of illumination, a receiver adapted to receive light at 260 nm from the area of illumination, a comparator adapted to compare the amplitude of light received by the receiver to a background level and to produce a hot-spot signal indicative of the presence of a nucleic acid when the amplitude is attenuated relative to the background level, and a display adapted to display the hot-spot. Preferably, the detector further includes a photographic detector adapted to receive an optical background image over an area including the area of illumination, the display adapted to display the optical background image and the hot-spot within the optical background image.

A system for nucleic acid (NA) amplification includes a light source configured to emit a first excitation light based on a control signal, a reaction chamber configured to house a solution including a plurality of first nucleic acids (NAs), the plurality of first NAs being configured to amplify in response to the first excitation light, the solution being configured to emit a second light in response to heating by the first excitation light and to emit a third light in response to amplification of the plurality of first NAs, a detector configured to detect the second and third lights and to generate a temperature signal corresponding to the second light and a first fluorescence signal corresponding to the third light, and a lens module configured to focus the second and third lights onto the detector.

A system for nucleic acid (NA) amplification includes a light source configured to emit a first excitation light based on a control signal, a reaction chamber configured to house a solution including a plurality of first nucleic acids (NAs), the plurality of first NAs being configured to amplify in response to the first excitation light, the solution being configured to emit a second light in response to heating by the first excitation light and to emit a third light in response to amplification of the plurality of first NAs, a detector configured to detect the second and third lights and to generate a temperature signal corresponding to the second light and a first fluorescence signal corresponding to the third light, and a lens module configured to focus the second and third lights onto the detector.

An ultraviolet (UV) absorbance assay for measuring the concentration of large RNA molecules such as mRNA in suspensions comprising RNA-lipid nanoparticles (RNA-LNPs) is described.

An ultraviolet (UV) absorbance assay for measuring the concentration of large RNA molecules such as mRNA in suspensions comprising RNA-lipid nanoparticles (RNA-LNPs) is described.