Abstract: The present invention is in the field of nucleic acid binding compounds comprising 7-substituted 7-deaza-8aza-2,6-diamino-purine bases, compounds useful for the preparation of such compounds, various uses thereof and methods for the determination of nucleic acids using said compounds in the field of diagnostics.

Abstract: The invention is a single-tube multiplex assay, capable of simultaneously amplifying, detecting and quantifying multiple nucleic acid targets, using multiple hybridization probes, labeled with the same fluorescent reporter label, but each having a distinct melting temperature. The assay can be further multiplexed with the use of multiple sets of hybridization probes, each set labeled with a separate fluorescent reporter label.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the isolation of a target nucleic acid using a material with an unmodified silica surface and subsequent amplification of the target nucleic acid in the presence of the material with an unmodified silica surface. The method is preferably carried out as an automated process preferably in a high throughput format. The method is preferably used in diagnostics.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for detecting a target biomolecule in test sample by adding an internal control biomolecule to the test sample; to a negative control sample, to a positive control sample and to a reagent control sample or adding an internal control biomolecule to the test sample, to a negative control sample, to a positive control sample comprising the target biomolecule and providing a reagent control sample comprising the target biomolecule, determining in each sample a signal, and verifying the signal thereby detecting the target biomolecule. The invention is also related to a method for verifying the determination of a signal indicating the presence of a target biomolecule. The invention is further related to a method for detecting the presence or the absence of a member of a group of target nucleic acids in a sample and a method for verifying the determination of a signal indicating the presence of a member of a group of target nucleic acids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the automatic opening and closing of reaction vessels. It comprises a holding device for the non-rotatable holding of one or more reaction vessels, a gripper for the gripping of a lid for the reaction vessel, wherein the gripper has gripping jaws to take hold of the lid, and a holding arm with a rotating mechanism for rotatable holding of the gripper. The gripping jaws are arranged in such a way that, when the lid is inserted into the area between the gripping jaws, it is held by the latter through frictional contact, and the gripper has no active operating device for opening and closing the gripping jaws.

Abstract: Method and apparatus, including computer program products, implement techniques for quantifying a target nucleic acid (target) in a test sample.

Abstract: A fluidic device containing a flow through chamber comprising an inlet port, an outlet port, and a fluid permeable, compressible matrix located in the chamber between said inlet port and said outlet port, and said compressible matrix having a higher flow resistance at higher compressions and a plurality of flow paths leading from said inlet port to said outlet port through said matrix comprising shorter and longer length flow paths, wherein said matrix is compressed in at least one dimension, being more strongly compressed along the shorter length flow paths than along the longer length flow path.

Abstract: A new multi-level apparatus is disclosed for high throughput processing of samples. The apparatus does not need interruptions for reloading disposables.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for isolating and purifying nucleic acids from a sample and a device that is suitable therefore.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved analysis procedure for the comparative sequencing of nucleic acids using multistage mass spectrometry. More precisely, the invention is directed to a method enabling the de-novo sequencing of nucleic acid molecules using multistage mass spectrometry.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for catching drops from a pipette mechanically attached to a pipetting device in the field of nucleic acid purification and amplification. Furthermore, a method for pipetting a liquid with a decreased potentiality of contamination of an analytical instrument as well as liquids or/and samples placed on said analytical instrument is provided. Moreover, an analytical instrument at least comprising a pipetting device, and a device for catching drops from a pipette mechanically attached to said pipetting device wherein the movement of the device for catching drops is coupled to the movement of said pipetting device is illustrated.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the transfer of non-fluorescent energy between donor and acceptor moieties. In certain embodiments, the invention provides biomolecules that include substantially non-fluorescent donor moieties. Processes involving these donor moieties typically entail reduced background fluorescence relative to applications that involve conventional fluorescent donor moieties. In addition to reaction mixtures and methods that include the use of these biomolecules, the invention also provides related kits and systems.

Abstract: A device and a method for the adjustment of a temperature of a liquid which is contained in one or more sample vessels are specified, a control unit and a temperature adjustment unit being provided, which acts on the liquid contained in the sample vessels. Furthermore, the control unit is operatively connected to the temperature adjustment unit. The liquid to be analyzed contains absorption elements in order to accelerate the temperature adjustment in the liquid to be analyzed.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining magnetic particles within a segment of a flow-through cell during flow of a fluid through the cell comprises (a) optionally, an electrical current source; (b) an electromagnet having a winding connected to the current source and an air gap between at least one pair of poles each of which has a corrugated outer surface and (c) a flow-through cell which is configured and dimensioned to receive an amount of magnetic particles to be retained within the flow-through cell and to allow flow of a liquid through the flow-through cell. The liquid carries molecules or particles to be captured by means of the magnetic particles. A portion of the flow-through cell is inserted in air gap.

Abstract: Vessel systems for treating and/or storing liquids are provided. The vessel systems comprise a two-dimensional vessel arrangement with a plurality of vessels which are open at the top and which are interconnected to form a unit, and a two-dimensional closure arrangement which has an arrangement of closure elements corresponding to the vessel arrangement and by means of which the openings of the vessels can be closed. Each vessel of the vessel arrangement is connected to at least one other vessel of the vessel arrangement via a preferably flexible connecting member. Each of the closure elements is connected to at least one other closure element of the closure arrangement via a flexible connecting member which allows a change of the distance between the closure elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, an apparatus and a computer program to detect the liquid leakage of a liquid transfer device. In particular, the present invention is directed to a method, an apparatus and a computer program that detects the liquid leakage of a liquid transfer device with electrical means.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pipette comprising mounting surfaces of different diameters for the use of disposable tips of different size, which permits easy discarding of the tips after use. Such pipettes can be used in manual and automatic pipetting systems.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of nucleic acid binding compounds comprising 7-substituted 7-deaza-8aza-2,6-diamino-purine bases, compounds useful for the preparation of such compounds, various uses thereof and methods for the determination of nucleic acids using said compounds in the field of diagnostics.

Abstract: A process of detecting a target nucleic acid using labeled oligonucleotides uses the 5? to 3? nuclease activity of a nucleic acid polymerase to cleave annealed labeled oligonucleotide from hybridized duplexes and release labeled oligonucleotide fragments for detection. This process is easily incorporated into a PCR amplification assay.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a nucleic acid binding compound comprising N8- or C8-linked purine bases or structurally related heterocycles, a compound useful for the preparation of such compound, a binding product of this nucleic acid binding compound with a nucleic acid, a method for the determination of a nucleic acid using said compound, and several uses of 8-linked purine bases and structurally related heterocycles. Compounds according to the present invention have advantageous properties when used in hybridization methods.