Abstract: Method and system for compensating intensity biases in a plurality of digital images. Each digital image of the plurality of digital images contains a plurality of objects and each of the plurality of objects is configured to receive at least one molecule comprising genetic information, wherein the at least one molecule is configured to receive one of at least a first fluorescent compound and a second fluorescent compound. A first digital image of the plurality of digital images is taken by an optical imaging system during emission of electromagnetic radiation by the first fluorescent compound, and a second digital image of the plurality of digital images is taken by the optical imaging system during emission of electromagnetic radiation by the second fluorescent compound.

Abstract: Closing arrangement for a cap of a tube in a carrier, wherein the arrangement comprises at least a first, a second and a third moveable engagement member, the first member being adapted to induce a first part of the cap rotation and the second member being adapted to induce a second part of the cap rotation and the third member being adapted to induce a third part of the cap rotation for closure.

Abstract: The present application concerns a new in vitro method for assessing the prognosis of a prostate cancer patient, comprising measuring the expression level of at least two miRs selected from group of miRs consisting of: miR-106a-5p, miR-10b-5p, miR-133a-3p, mi R-152-3p, miR-185-5p, miR-193a-5p, miR-221-3p, miR-23a-3p, miR-30d-3p, miR-326, mi R-374b-5p, miR-615-3p and mi R-625-3p in a RNA sample from prostate cells obtained from said patient, wherein a changed expression level of said at least 2 miRs, as compared to a reference expression profile, is indicative of the prognosis of said prostate cancer patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for isolating RNA including small RNA having a size of 200 nt or less from a sample, comprising the following steps: a) providing a composition comprising RNA and a chaotropic agent; b) adding alcohol; c) incubating the mixture for at least 2 min; d) adding additional alcohol to the mixture to adjust the overall alcohol concentration in the mixture to ?50%; e) binding RNA contained in the mixture to a nucleic acid binding solid phase; f) optionally washing the bound RNA; g) optionally eluting RNA from the solid phase. Due to the step-wise addition of alcohol, the overall RNA yield and the yield of small RNA is improved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and uses where a combination of (i) an enzyme exhibiting 5??3? exonuclease activity and specifically degrading 5?-phosphorylated strands of double-stranded nucleic acids is used, and (ii) one or more primer pair(s), each primer being 5? phosphorylated, in a method comprising at least a first and a second amplification reaction of a first and a second template, respectively, for preventing contamination of the second amplification reaction with amplification products of the first amplification reaction, as well as novel methods and kits using the combination. Also, the present invention relates to kits comprising the enzyme and either 5?-phosphorylated primers or a polynucleotide kinase.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for isolating RNA, including small RNA from a RNA and DNA containing sample, wherein the sample is lysed and the optionally further processed lysate is incubated with a DNase to degrade DNA prior to purifying the RNA from the optionally further processed lysate. It was found that performing the DNase digest prior to isolating the RNA from the lysate has considerable advantages.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, compositions and devices for isolating virus particles and/or viral nucleic acids from body samples that were stabilized using a stabilizing composition comprising a formaldehyde releaser agent.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for loading a crystallization device and for manufacturing a crystallization device comprising multiple receptacles with a pre-defined amount of at least one matrix-forming compound capable of forming a crystallization matrix for a membrane protein, said method comprising the following steps: a) Modifying the state of aggregation of said at least one matrix-forming compound to a fluidic state which allows dispensing said at least one matrix-forming compound, and b) dispensing a defined amount of said at least one matrix-forming compound into at least one receptacle of the crystallization device, wherein said dispensed matrix-forming compound solidifies within said receptacle. Thereby prefilled crystallization devices are obtained which can be used as consumables in particular in automated crystallization processes. Also provided are protein crystallization methods using respectively prepared crystallization devices.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method, a composition and a kit for isolating biomolecules from any biological sample material containing cells, virus(es), microorganism(s) or a combination thereof comprising a cell- or virus-simulating means, wherein said cell- or virus-simulating means comprises at least one type of marker molecule(s), incorporated in at least one type of a layer, capsule, bead, sphere or particle, which is not a biological cell or provided on a substrate covered by a coating.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for isolating extracellular nucleic acids from a sample, wherein said sample is optionally stabilized, by binding the extracellular nucleic acids to a solid phase which carries anion exchange groups, comprising the following steps: binding the extracellular nucleic acids to the solid phase in a binding mixture having a first pH which allows binding the extracellular nucleic acids to the anion exchange groups of the solid phase; wherein the sample makes up at least 85% of the volume of the binding mixture; separating the solid phase with the bound extracellular nucleic acids; optionally washing the extracellular nucleic acids; optionally eluting extracellular nucleic acids from the solid phase. The method has the advantage that large sample volumes can be processed and that extracellular nucleic acids can be isolated rapidly with a high yield. The method is particularly suitable for automatable processes.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions and devices for stabilizing the extracellular nucleic acid population in a cell-containing biological sample using butanamide.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a device, comprising a hollow body having at least one open end and at least one barrier inside or at the end of the hollow body, which is non-permeable for liquids and solids under ambience conditions, however, becomes liquid-permeable by applying an external force like pressure, drag force or driving power to said barrier, the use of such a device for collection, storage, treatment or isolation of a biomolecule or biomolecules containing samples, a method for preparation of said device and a method for isolation or purification of any biomolecules using said device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reaction mixture for the amplification of nucleic acids, the non-methylated cytosine bases of which have been converted to uracil bases by means of a bisulfition reaction. The invention also discloses methods for amplifying bisulfited nucleic acid and for determining the nucleic acid methylation state, and also kits based on the reaction mixture according to the invention.

Abstract: A method for obtaining blood plasma from a whole blood sample comprising the following steps a) contacting the whole blood sample with a composition (A) comprising at least one carboxylic acid, wherein the addition of the acidic composition (A) and optionally further additives to the whole blood sample provides a sample mixture having a pH that lies in a range from 2.5 to 5; b) binding red and white blood cells to a magnetic solid phase; wherein step a) and step b) can be performed sequentially or simultaneously, c) separating the solid phase with the bound cells from the remaining sample thereby providing blood plasma.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recovering an aqueous phase comprising biomolecules dissolved therein from a multiphasic mixture, comprising at least said aqueous phase and a further liquid phase which is immiscible with said aqueous phase wherein said further liquid phase comprises at least one hydrocarbon compound. The invention further relates to the use of a hydrophilic filtering material, a device comprising such a filtering material or a kit comprising said device for recovering an aqueous phase comprising biomolecules dissolved therein from a mixture of said aqueous phase and at least one hydrocarbon compound comprising further liquid phase which is immiscible with said aqueous phase.

Abstract: The method for isolating nucleic acids from a food sample comprising the following steps: a) obtaining a food enrichment culture; b) transferring a portion of the food enrichment culture into a reaction vessel thereby providing a food enrichment sample and providing a water-immiscible phase in contact with the food enrichment culture; c) lysing the food enrichment sample to provide a lysed sample; d) isolating nucleic acids from the lysed sample. Food enrichment culture samples are known to contain high concentrations of organic and/or liposoluble inhibitors. By contacting the enrichment culture sample with a water-immiscible phase before the actual DNA extraction procedure starts, part of the lipophilic inhibitors is expected to cross the phase interface due to an enhanced solubility in the organic phase and thereby become depleted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of isolating/extracting in parallel various biomolecules, in particular nucleic acids and proteins, from the same fixed biological samples, to the quantification and analysis of the biomolecules isolated by the method of the invention, and to a kit for isolating/extracting in parallel various biomolecules from a fixed sample, to the use of said kit for diagnosing, prognosing, deciding the therapy of and monitoring the therapy of a disease.

Abstract: The present invention pertains inter alia to a method for analyzing a sample comprising biomolecules, which comprises the following steps: A a) lysing the sample to provide a lysed sample and optionally clearing the lysed sample; b) contacting at least a portion of the lysed sample with a dry composition comprising reagents for performing the analytical method, thereby providing a reconstituted composition; c) performing an analytical method using the reconstituted composition; or B a) contacting the sample with a lysis solution thereby providing a lysis mixture; b) using the lysis mixture to reconstitute a dry composition comprising reagents for performing the analytical method, thereby providing a reconstituted composition; c) performing an analytical method using the reconstituted composition, wherein the reconstituted composition is optionally cleared and wherein subsequent to step b) at least one step is performed which supports the lysis of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for selectively depleting animal nucleic acids from non-animal nucleic acids in a sample, which comprises animal cells and at least one further type of cells, selected from microbial cells and plant cells or a combination thereof, to a lysis solution A to be used in and to a kit to carry out said method as well as to the use of a particular silica membrane as both, a filtration matrix for separating essentially intact microbial and/or plant cells from lysed animal cells and an adsorption matrix for nucleic acids, in particular in a method according to the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cost-efficient method for producing particles having a SiO2 containing surface wherein said method comprises a) providing an aqueous reaction composition comprising i) core particles, ii) an added base, iii) a silicate salt, and iv) a pH modulator wherein the pH value of the reaction composition is above the gelation pH value; b) agitating said reaction composition, wherein the pH modulator decreases the pH value of the reaction composition over time and wherein due to said decrease of the pH value of the reaction composition SiO2 is deposited onto the core particles, whereby particles are formed which have a diameter of 30 ?m or less; and c) obtaining the particles. Furthermore, silica particles having high nucleic acid binding properties are provided.