Abstract: Disclosed is an in-vitro method, a device and a kit for detecting at least one nucleic acid which is located outside the blood cells in whole blood in the case of a living being. The advantage of the method is that it requires less time and equipment that known methods from the prior art, and that the risk of contamination and the risk of loss of cell-free nucleic acid to be amplified is minimised. The method is therefore more economical and has a higher detection accuracy than known detection methods for cell-free nucleic acids. In addition, the detection sensitivity is increased relative to detection methods from the prior art, which are based on a dilution of the blood. Also disclosed are the uses of the device and the kit.

Abstract: The invention presents a stationary phase for detecting at least one specific analyte in a mixture. The stationary phase includes a solid phase divided into a plurality of zones for transporting liquid by capillary force. The solid phase includes at least one first zone suitable for receiving a liquid sample, a second zone on which a receptor is immobilized, wherein the receptor is suitable for binding to a ligand, and a third zone on which quantum dots are immobilized, function as FRET donors and are linked to at least one suitable FRET acceptor via at least one oligonucleotide linker. The stationary phase exhibits improved detection sensitivity and allows simultaneous and multiparametric detection of a wide variety of analytes. The invention proposes uses of the stationary phase and also presents a method for detecting at least one specific analyte in a mixture.

Abstract: The invention presents a stationary phase for detecting at least one specific analyte in a mixture. The stationary phase includes a solid phase divided into a plurality of zones for transporting liquid by capillary force. The solid phase includes at least one first zone suitable for receiving a liquid sample, a second zone on which a receptor is immobilized, wherein the receptor is suitable for binding to a ligand, and a third zone on which quantum dots are immobilized, function as FRET donors and are linked to at least one suitable FRET acceptor via at least one oligonucleotide linker. The stationary phase exhibits improved detection sensitivity and allows simultaneous and multiparametric detection of a wide variety of analytes. The invention proposes uses of the stationary phase and also presents a method for detecting at least one specific analyte in a mixture.

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 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: 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 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for isolating nucleic acids, particularly genomic desoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from blood.

Abstract: The present invention related to methods for improving probe-based melting curve analysis methods. The improvement comprises the inclusion of a compound (A) which is a water-soluble polyanionic co-polymer comprising maleic acid, preferably poly(acrylic acid-co-maleic acid) (PAMA) in the analytical sample that is subjected to the melting curve analysis.

Abstract: A method for lysing a fixed biological sample to obtain a lysate that is suitable for direct use in a subsequent nucleic acid analysis method. The method includes contacting the fixed biological sample with an aqueous lysis composition to obtain a lysis mixture, and heating the lysis mixture at ?85° C. to obtain the lysate. Inhibitors of the subsequent nucleic acid analysis method are depleted by contacting the fixed biological sample in the first step with at least one compound which prevents or reduces the inhibition of the subsequent nucleic acid analysis method, and/or binding inhibitors to a solid support having an anionic surface. The method is rapid, efficient, does not require the use of chaotropic salts and does not require a prior purification of nucleic acids prior to performing the subsequent analysis method. A portion of the obtained lysate can be used directly, for example, in an amplification reaction.

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 amplifying a template nucleic acid, wherein the method comprises amplifying said template nucleic acid using the helicase dependent amplification (HDA) reaction in the presence of a nicking endonuclease, and wherein said template nucleic acid comprises a sequence recognized by said nicking endonuclease or a sequence recognized by said nicking endonuclease is introduced into the template nucleic acid during the HDA reaction. The invention further pertains to a kit for amplifying a nucleic acid, comprising a nicking endonuclease, a helicase and a DNA polymerase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the automatic processing of biological samples which can have a relatively large volume and which can be further processed by a microfluidic system. A container is provided with a filter and can be or is closed. A biological sample is introduced into the container. An inlet or outlet for liquids is mounted downstream of the filter. In order to carry out processing, liquids that are present in the container are not only sucked off through the filter and passed on via the inlet or outlet, but liquids required for processing are also pumped into the container through the filter. The container can be connected to a microfluidic system in a relatively easy manner since only one conduit is required for an automated processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for amplifying and detecting nucleic acid sequences in a reaction cartridge comprising, (i) providing a sample comprising at least one nucleic acid molecule, (ii) in a first reaction chamber of the cartridge providing reagents for an amplification reaction, (iii) mixing the sample with the amplification reagents, (iv) amplifying the at least one nucleic acid in the first reaction chamber of the cartridge, (v) transferring at least parts of the amplification reaction into a second and third reaction chamber of the cartridge each comprising a probe set and performing a melting point analysis in order to determine which of the probes has specifically bound a nucleic acid.

Abstract: The present invention pertains inter alia to a method for analysing 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 invention generally provides a method for the sample preparation for a subsequent preparation, processing or analysis method of a sample containing an at least one species of nucleic acid and/or one species of protein, whereby the method comprises the following steps: A) providing a sample which contains at least one species of a nucleic acid and/or of a protein, B) contacting the sample with a fluid or solid composition to produce a fluid sample preparation, whereby the composition contains at least a nitrogenous compound, which is selected from the group consisting of a) polyamines, b) amino acids, and oligo- and polypeptides, c) nitrogenous heterocyclic compounds, including homo-oder heteropolymeres, which comprise these nitrogenous compounds, d) amines of the type R1R2NR3, whereby R1, R2 and R3 are chosen independently from one another from the group consisting of H, C1-C5-alkyl groups and aryl groups, whereby R1, R2 and R3 are not H simultaneously, e) carbonxylic acid amides, f) inorganic ammonium sa

Abstract: The present invention provides copolymers that facilitate nucleic acid analysis, compositions that comprise such copolymers, and methods for making or using such copolymers.

Abstract: A method for isolating polynucleotides, such as DNA, RNA and hybrids thereof from an aqueous solution containing polynucleotides by reversibly binding the polynucleotides to silica-coated magnetic particles in the presence of a salt and non-ionic hydratable additive is disclosed. The salt and non-ionic hydratable additive concentrations are adjusted to levels that result in adhesion of the nucleic acid to the particles without degradation or precipitation of the nucleic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the isolation and purification of nucleic acids by elution of nucleic acids from nucleic acid-containing samples, and biological materials, using a wash buffer comprising an alcohol having 1 to 3 carbon atoms and at least one further solvent selected from the group consisting of alkane diols and alkane triols having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, monocarboxylic acid esters and dicarboxylic acid diesters having 2 to 6 carbon atoms in the acidic component and 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alcoholic component; (poly)ethylene glycols and ether derivatives and ester derivatives thereof, and poly(4-styrene sulfonic acid-co-maleic acid) sodium salt solution. The present invention further relates to a kit for carrying out the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for amplifying a template nucleic acid, wherein the method comprises amplifying said template nucleic acid using the helicase dependent amplification (HDA) reaction in the presence of a nicking endonuclease, and wherein said template nucleic acid comprises a sequence recognized by said nicking endonuclease or a sequence recognized by said nicking endonuclease is introduced into the template nucleic acid during the HDA reaction. The invention further pertains to a kit for amplifying a nucleic acid, comprising a nicking endonuclease, a helicase and a DNA polymerase.