Abstract: The present invention provides an indicator useful in confirming successful sterilisation and/or nucleic acid decontamination by ethylene oxide (EtO) treatment. The invention also provides a label comprising said indicator and methods for use of the indicator and label in a method of EtO treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to means for collection of biological samples. Specifically, the present invention provides a solid support for collection, storage and subsequent analysis of a biological sample as well as methods for use of the solid support of the invention and a kit comprising the solid support of the invention.

Abstract: A controlled transfer biological sample material collection device is disclosed which includes a body and a sample collection member for collecting the biological sample material, the body housing a sample storage medium for generally dry storage of the biological material, the collection member being moveable from an exposed position where collection of a biological sample is possible, to a transfer position which effects transfer of at least a portion of the collected sample to said medium. The body of the device slideably supports the sample collection member, and the body or collection member includes a ramp-like projection portion operable to force the collection member into the transfer position against the medium and to effect the transfer as the collection member slides within the body.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods and kits for capturing sperm nucleic acids from or in a biological sample. In one embodiment the method the method comprises, contacting the sample with a lysis solution, having a protamine-DNA complex, to lyse the cell and applying a protamine-specific binding element. This results in the protamine-specific binding element binding to the protamine-DNA to form a complex which may be captured, purified, or detected. Also provided are kits for carrying out the disclosed methods.

Abstract: A controlled transfer biological sample material collection device is disclosed which comprises: a body; and a sample collection member for collecting the biological sample material (not shown), the body housing a sample storage medium for generally dry storage of the biological material, the collection member being moveable from an exposed position (shown in FIG. 8) where collection of a biological sample is possible, to a transfer position (shown in FIG. 9) which effects transfer of at least a portion of the collected sample to said medium. The device is characterized in that the body slideably supports the sample collection member, and in that the body or collection member include a ramp-like projection portion (116 FIG. 10) operable to force the collection member into the transfer position against the medium and to effect said transfer as the collection member slides within the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and kit for analyte detection. More precisely the invention relates to a method of detecting an analyte, comprising storing short single stranded nucleic acids (10-100 nt), such as aptamers and micro RNA, on a solid support at ambient temperature; and subsequent amplification of said nucleic acids for detection of analyte(s).

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods and kits for capturing sperm nucleic acids from or in a biological sample. In one embodiment the method the method includes, contacting the sample with a lysis solution, having a protamine-DNA complex, to lyse the cell and applying a protamine-specific antibody. This results in the protamine-specific antibody binding to the protamine-DNA to form a complex which may be captured, purified, or detected. Also provided are kits for carrying out the disclosed methods.

Abstract: Disclosed is a biological sample collector 500 comprising a solid support 12 having plural discrete areas (22, 24, 26, 28 FIG. 1) for accepting a biological sample, each area being chemically differentiated, for example by having a different chemical treatment sorbed onto the solid support. An envelope 530 encloses the solid support. A cover portion 520 can cover the biological sample after collection to prevent infection. UV light can be applied to the collected sample to reduce the risk of infection.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provides a method for detecting one or more biomarkers derived from a body fluid, comprising performing one or more assays for the biomarkers from a sample of the body fluid, whereby the sample is previously preserved on a solid support; wherein a change in the biomarkers provides an indication of a biological event in the brain. The invention also provides related methods for identifying a person as being at risk of dementia or Alzheimer's disease, monitoring a person for the onset or progression of dementia or Alzheimer's disease, evaluating the effectiveness of a potential pharmaceutical agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of amplifying an RNA molecule in a biological sample by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), wherein the RT-PCR is carried out in a solution comprising a polar aprotic solvent; a serum albumin, and a polyol.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ex vivo method for detecting plural predefined oral biomarkers within biological material present in a human oral cavity when oral cancerous activity is present in said cavity, the method comprising the steps of: i) providing a solid support for accepting a sample of biological material from the oral cavity; ii) transferring a sample of the biological material to the solid support, iii) performing one or more ex vivo plural assays to detect the presence of said plural biomarkers on the solid support, in the form of one or more nucleic acid sequences, and/or one or more proteins, and/or one or more enzymes indicative of said oral cancerous activity. A sample swab 10 suitable for use with the above methods is disclosed also.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provides a method for detection of at least one analyte derived from a sample, comprising the steps of: a) depositing the sample on a surface of a solid support; b) transferring at least a portion of the solid support to a receptacle suitable for performing a specific binding assay for one or more analytes of interest; c) optionally washing the portion; d) adding a single specific binding partner for each analyte of interest to the receptacle, the binding partner being labelled with an oligonucleotide sequence; e) mixing the portion with nucleic acid amplification reagents; f) amplifying the oligonucleotide sequence; and g) detecting amplified nucleic acid. The invention also provides a kit for use with the method for detection of at least one analyte derived from a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biomolecule stabilization to provide biomolecules, such as sensitive polymerases, in a convenient ready-to-go format. The invention provides a method and composition in which non-ionic surfactant or detergents of the polyoxyethylene cetyl ether family are used, preferably a Brij reagent or a combination of Brij reagents.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting and quantifying gut flora derived from human faeces, comprising acquiring a solid support containing human faeces; optionally amplifying nucleic acid from the human faeces; and detecting and quantifying the presence of gut flora of interest. Also disclsoed is a method for assessing whether a person has type-2 diabetes as well as a kit for detecting and quantifying gut flora from human faeces, comprising a solid support for collecting human faeces; and primer pairs for amplifying 16S rRNA sequence from bacteria of interest.

Abstract: A biometric device, comprising a solid support suitable for receiving biological material and for dry storing that material at room temperature the device further comprising a circuit including means for two way radio frequency communication and including writable data storage. A processing method for such biometric devices, the method including the steps of: a) identifying said device by means of RF communication; b) extracting at least a portion of the biological material from the solid support of the identified device; c) analysing the extracted biological material to obtain biometric data indicative of the biological material; and d) writing said biometric data to the data storage of the biometric device.

Abstract: A data storage medium is disclosed comprising a solid support matrix including an optional stabilising reagent or reagents in a dry form, for use as a support for artificially synthesised oligonucleotide sequences encoded with data. Preferably the matrix is fibrous (for example cellulose, or glass, fibres) formed into a support of sufficient strength to hold the oligonucleotide sequences. The stabilising reagents are preferably a combination of a weak base, and a chelating agent, optionally, uric acid or a urate salt, and optionally an anionic surfactant.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and kits for isothermal nucleic acid amplifications that use a target nucleic acid template; a reaction mixture comprising a DNA polymerase having a strand displacement activity, a deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) mixture, a primer with a 3? end and a 5? end, a molecular crowding reagent, and a buffer solution for amplifying the target nucleic acid template. The buffer solution maintains a low salt concentration of the reaction mixture, and wherein the salt concentration results in a melting temperature (Tm) of the primer at least 10° C. below the reaction temperature. The amplification is effected under isothermal condition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for capturing the spatial molecular profiling of a biological mass formed from biological material, comprising the steps of: a) providing a transected biological mass, for example a tumour, the transection exposing at least a portion of the mass; b) providing a solid support of an area at least equalling the area of said portion of the mass; c) transferring biological material from the portion of the mass to the support to provide on the support a two dimensional imprint of the biological material present at the portion of the mass; and d) performing a biological assay of the transferred biological material from different predetermined locations of the imprint in order to determine the spatial molecular profile of the portion of the mass.

Abstract: There is disclosed a biometric device (10), comprising a solid support (14) suitable for receiving biological material (S) and for dry storing that material at room temperature the device further comprising a circuit (16) including means for two way radio frequency communication and including writable data storage. Also disclosed is a processing method for such biometric devices, the method including the steps of: a) identifying said device by means of RF communication; b) extracting at least a portion of the biological material from the solid support of the identified device; c) analyzing the extracted biological material to obtain biometric data indicative of the biological material; and d) writing said biometric data to the data storage of the biometric device.

Abstract: A microfluidic device 100 is disclosed comprising a body112 including a biological sample S and/or reagent R receiving slot 122. The sample and reagent are carried on a solid support 10. The device 100 includes two punch assemblies 130 for removing portions of the solid support 10 and delivering them, together with the sample and/or reagent(s), to a receiving chamber 126 for subsequent processing. The device can be used for various assays including those which require just the addition of water in the reaction chamber with no pre-treatment of sample prior delivery into the chamber.