Abstract: Epigenetic methods for assessing pluripotency of a cell population, such as a stem cell culture are provided. For example, pluripotency can be assessed by determining DNA methylation status at the RAB25, NANOG, PTPN6, MGMT, GBP3 and/or LYST gene regions. Kits and reagents for testing cells are likewise provided.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention concerns a method for detecting or quantifying DNA methylation at a locus. In one embodiment, a methylation-sensitive endonuclease is formulated together with a polymerase enzyme in an appropriate reaction mixture such that amplification of DNA occurs in a methylation specific manor. Quantitative DNA amplification at selected loci can be used to determine the level of methylation. Kits and reagents for performing such methods are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses, kits, and methods for portable sample disruption (e.g., for encouraging cell lysis).

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus, reagents, and methods for rapidly isolating plasmid DNA from a bacterial alkaline lysate.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus, reagents, and methods for rapidly isolating plasmid DNA from a bacterial alkaline lysate.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus, reagents, and methods for rapidly isolating plasmid DNA from a bacterial alkaline lysate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the simple, gentle, and efficient extraction of biological material from Escherichia coli (E. coli). The use of E. coli in research laboratories depends on the ability to prepare lysates to isolate the desired products under investigation. The present invention includes methods and engineered E. coli strains that are capable of rapid controlled lysis or herein “autolysis”. The XJa strains were made from JM109 and the XJb strains from BL21 by insertion of the ? R or (? SR) lytic endolysin gene to replace the tightly regulated araB gene. Thus, arabinose becomes a non-metabolizable inducer and the controlled autolysis phenotype is induced by the PBAD promoter by the presence of saturating arabinose. Upon induction of the bacteriophage ?R endolysin, the E. coli remains intact but is efficiently lysed after one freeze-thaw cycle. The present invention is usable with many different buffer systems and is flexible in this regard.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus, reagents, and methods for rapidly isolating plasmid DNA from a bacterial alkaline lysate.

Abstract: Apparatus, reagents, and methods for isolating plasmid DNA from bacteria by alkaline lysis using a solid or immobilized P2 and/or P3 reagent in combination with a DNA-binding matrix.

Abstract: The present invention describes isolation of plasmid DNA from bacteria. The addition of dyes to the alkaline lysis based purification buffers (P1, P2, and P3) allows for improved visual monitoring of the steps of preparing a bacterial lysate filtrate coupled to filtration or spin-column chromatography. The method comprises the suspending of the bacterial cells with buffer P1 (suspension is red/pink); lysing the bacteria with buffer P2 (suspension goes from red/purple color to translucent/purple); precipitating cellular debris with buffer P3 (solution becomes yellow with debris suspension); centrifuging or filtering to product a lysate filtrate; binding the lysate filtrate to a DNA binding matrix; washing; and isolating the plasmid via chromatography. The yield and quality of plasmid DNA is improved due to more consistent lysis. Errors in buffer addition are reduced by visualizing the color as buffers are added and also of changes in color of the preparation at each step.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for determining the methylation state of DNA samples using melt analysis including high resolution melt analysis. Methods are also provided for determining methyltransferase activity using melt analysis including high resolution melt analysis. Additionally, kits of parts are provided.