Abstract: A tube for chemical, biological or biotechnological matter is provided, wherein the tube has a positioning element, the positioning element shaped for engagement in a corresponding structure provided in a carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for real-time monitoring and/or quantification of newly-synthesized complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) during a reverse transcription reaction of an ribonucleic acid (RNA) template in a sample, the method using a fluorogenic dye binding to RNA:cDNA hybrids. The present invention also relates to the use of this method as well as to kits employing the fluorogenic dye.

Abstract: A gripper unit for handling a vessel for receiving biological material is proposed, inter alia. The vessel has a lid which can assume an open position and a closed position. The gripper unit comprises a gripper for gripping and releasing the vessel, and a lid holder, for holding a lid in a defined position in relation to the vessel. The defined position is an open position of the lid.

Abstract: The invention related to a method for the stabilization, purification or/and isolation of nucleic acids from material samples, in particular, stool samples, which can contain impurities and inhibitors or interfering substances. The invention further relates to a reagent kit for carrying out this method. The basis of the invention is, in particular, a method for purification, stabilization or/and isolation of nucleic acids from material samples, whereby a buffer is added to the sample containing the nucleic acids, with a pH value of 2 to 7, a salt concentration of at least 100 mM, or/and a phenol neutralizing substance. According to the invention, pure nucleic acids which may be amplified can be obtained from faecal samples by a simple method, which are suitable for diagnostic proof of infection, in particular, bacterial or viral infection, or mutation, in particular, for tumor-specific DNA mutations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods for processing fluids and to a fluid processing device (1) for use in a centrifuge comprising: (a) a first holder (14) form-fit to the shape of a first tube (18) for holding said first tube (18) whereby said first tube (18) has a first cross section (A1); and (b) a second holder (22) form-fit to the shape of a second tube (26) for holding said second tube (26) whereby said second tube (26) has a second cross section (A2) that is different from said first cross section (A1). With the fluid processing devices and the methods according to the invention, it is possible to simplify the centrifugal processing steps for a given fluid processing sequence and to automate them.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a lysate contains sufficient biological sample material for a nucleic acid amplification reaction that includes preparing the lysate in the presence of at least one compound that inhibits the amplification reaction if insufficient biological sample material was present during preparation of the lysate, but does not inhibit the amplification reaction if sufficient biological sample material was present during preparation of the lysate, subjecting the lysate to the amplification reaction, and analyzing a result of the amplification reaction. Due to the presence of the compound in the amplification reaction, no amplification signal is obtained if insufficient biological sample material was present during preparation of the lysate but an amplification signal is obtained if sufficient biological sample material was present during preparation of the lysate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and kits for isolating and/or purifying nucleic acids, in particular, short-chain nucleic acids, from a nucleic acid containing starting material, characterized by the following method steps: (a) bonding the nucleic acids to a nucleic acid bonding support material, wherein the starting material is brought into contact with the nucleic acid bonding support material in the presence of at least one chaotropic compound and preferably isopropanol, wherein the isopropanol is present in a concentration of ?15% (v/v) and ?35% (v/v), (b) optional elution of the bonded nucleic acids from the nucleic acid bonding support material. Said method is particularly suitable for the purification of foetal DNA from maternal blood.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and kits for isolating and/or purifying nucleic acids, in particular, short-chain nucleic acids, from a nucleic acid containing starting material, characterized by the following method steps: (a) bonding the nucleic acids to a nucleic acid bonding support material, wherein the starting material is brought into contact with the nucleic acid bonding support material in the presence of at least one chaotropic compound and preferably isopropanol, wherein the isopropanol is present in a concentration of ?25% (v/v) and ?35% (v/v), (b) optional elution of the bonded nucleic acids from the nucleic acid bonding support material. Said method is particularly suitable for the purification of foetal DNA from maternal blood.

Abstract: The present invention is in the fields of molecular biology. The present invention is directed to novel compositions, methods and kits useful for the generation of nucleic acids from an RNA template and further nucleic acid replication. Specifically, the invention is directed to the generation and amplification of nucleic acids by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract: Fluid processing tube for use in optical analysis comprising at least one first portion being made from a first material suitable for optical analysis and being configured to include two optical paths of different lengths, and at least one second portion connected to said first portion and being made from a second material different from said first material.

Abstract: A phenol-free method for isolating a nucleic acid from a sample is provided, said method comprising the following steps: a) preparing a precipitation mixture by adding at least one metal cation precipitant and at least one organic solvent selected from aprotic polar solvents and protic solvents to the sample, wherein the precipitation mixture i) comprises the metal cation precipitant; ii) comprises the organic solvent in a concentration of 15% or less; iii) comprises a buffering agent; and iv) has an acidic pH value, and precipitating proteins; b) separating the precipitate from the supernatant, wherein the supernatant comprises small RNA having a length of less than 200 nt and large RNA having a length of at least 1000 nt; and c) isolating a nucleic acid from the supernatant. Using an organic solvent as claimed during the protein precipitation step in the defined concentration provides a supernatant which in addition to small RNA also comprises large RNA.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for isolating nucleic acids from a sample, preferably a blood sample, comprising the following steps: a) obtaining a sample which has been stabilized by the use of at least one cationic detergent, wherein the cationic detergent has formed complexes with the nucleic acids; b) obtaining the complexes optionally together with other sample components from the stabilized sample, wherein said complexes comprise the nucleic acids to be isolated; c) resuspending the complexes and optionally adding one or more additives before, during and/or after resuspension, thereby obtaining a resuspended sample comprising at least: i) the nucleic acid to be isolated; ii) at least one chaotropic agent; and iii) at least one chelating agent; and d) isolating nucleic acids from the resuspended sample.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for activating a nucleic acid for a polymerase reaction with the steps: (a) Heating a nucleic acid to a temperature of 55° C. to 80° C., (b) cooling the nucleic acid to a temperature at which a polymerase shows no substantial decrease in activity, and (c) starting the polymerase reaction by the addition of a heat-labile polymerase to the nucleic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purifying nucleic acids from a sample containing nucleic acids, the method comprising at least the following steps: a. bringing the sample containing nucleic acids into contact with a nucleic acid binding phase comprising protonatable groups, wherein the protonatable groups have a pKs value of 9 to 12; b. binding the nucleic acids to the nucleic acid phase at a pH (binding pH) that is at least one pH unit less than the pKs value of at least one of the protonatable groups; c. eluting the nucleic acids at a pH greater than the binding pH but at least one pH unit less than the pKs value of at least one of the protonatable groups. Also disclosed are corresponding kits and nucleic acid binding phases that can be used for purifying nucleic acids.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for purification, respectively processing and/or analysis of biological target molecules with a detection device for detecting at least one object, which includes at least one detection area, wherein the detection device is adapted to detect at least one height value of the detection area and is adapted to determine, from the at least one height value, a spatial position and/or orientation and/or a type and/or a presence and/or a number and/or a state of the at least one object. Further, the invention relates to a receiving device for receiving material for the processing, purification and/or analysis of biological target molecules with at least one identification element, wherein the at least one identification element defines a height profile for identifying the receiving device, wherein the height profile is provided for at least one height measurement and extends at least in sections along a line, preferably a straight line.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to method for purifying at least a target nucleic acid from a sample, said method comprising at least the following steps: a) incubating the sample with at least one protein-degrading compound; b) binding the target nucleic acid to a solid phase; c) eluting the target nucleic acid from the solid phase; d) incubating the eluted target nucleic acid with at least one protein-degrading compound; e) binding the target nucleic acid again to a solid phase; f) optionally eluting the bound target nucleic acid from the solid phase. It was surprisingly found that performing a second protein digestion step after the target nucleic acid was bound and eluted from a solid phase before the nucleic acids are rebound to a solid phase is very efficient in reducing remaining protein contaminations in the isolated nucleic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lysis, binding and/or wash reagent for isolating and/or purifying nucleic acids and a method for isolating and/or purifying nucleic acids.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for synthesis of a cDNA in a sample, in an enzymatic reaction, whereby the process comprises the steps: simultaneous preparation of a first enzyme with polyadenylation activity, a second enzyme with reverse transcriptase activity, a buffer, at least one ribonucleotide, at least one deoxyribonucleotide, an anchor oligonucleotide; addition of a sample that comprises a ribonucleic acid; and incubation of the agents of the previous steps in one or more temperature steps, which are selected such that the first enzyme and the second enzyme show activity. The invention further relates to a reaction mixture that comprises a first enzyme with polyadenylation activity, a second enzyme with reverse transcriptase activity, optionally a buffer, optionally at least one ribonucleotide, optionally at least one deoxyribonucleotide, and optionally an anchor oligonucleotide. Moreover, the invention relates to a kit that comprises a corresponding reaction mixture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the quantification of one or more nucleic acids in a sample, for example: making a sample available which contains at least one nucleic acid to be quantified, adding an oligonucleotide probe, the oligonucleotide probe comprising a sequence which can specifically hybridize to the nucleic acid to be quantified or to a common sequence of the nucleic acids to be quantified, incubating the sample under conditions which allow the hybridization of the oligonucleotide probe to the nucleic acid(s) to be quantified, incubating the sample under conditions which allow the extension of hybridized probes, the nucleic acid(s) serving as a template in each case, removing the non-hybridized probes from the sample and quantifying the hybridized oligonucleotide probes to measure the quantity of the nucleic acid(s) to be quantified. The invention also relates to a kit for carrying out said method.

Abstract: The invention relates to the preparation of a biological sample for performing verifications and examinations, wherein the aim of the invention is the creation of a method for preparing a biological sample having an improved PCR sensitivity compared to the reference standard having standard PCR without having to raise the cost thereof.