Abstract: A method is provided for extraction of chemical compounds from an organism having a cell wall that includes adding nanomaterials, which may be metallic nanofibers such as silver nanofibers, to the organism.

Abstract: Methods for processing polynucleotide-containing biological samples, and materials for capturing polynucleotide molecules such as RNA and/or DNA from such samples. The RNA and/or DNA is captured by polyamindoamine (PAMAM (Generation 0)) bound to a surface, such as the surface of magnetic particles. The methods and materials have high efficiency of binding RNA and of DNA, and of release, and thereby permit quantitative determinations.

Abstract: Nucleic acid material can be effectively separated from a fluid by first contacting the fluid with a positively charged polymer which binds the nucleic acid material. Thereafter, the polymer, having the nucleic acid material bonded thereto, is contacted with a releasing agent which comprises a solution of an alkaline material and a glycol. The solution has a pH of no more than 12 and operates to release the nucleic acid material from the polymer under relatively low temperature conditions, typically no more than 50° C., and in particular instances, no more than 40° C. The glycol material may comprise a monomeric glycol such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or the like, or it may comprise a polymeric glycol such as polyethylene glycol. Also disclosed is a novel positively charged polymer which may be employed in the separation process. This polymer comprises an acidified polyamine, such as polyethyleneimine which has been reacted with a nonacidified polyethyleneimine in a coupling reaction.

Abstract: A method is provided that is suitable for various test samples and that prepares nucleic acid templates directly usable for gene amplification reaction such as PCR method or RT-PCR method conveniently and promptly, preferably under a mild condition. A nucleic acid extraction method is provided comprising a process of contacting a nucleic acid extraction reagent with a test sample, wherein the nucleic acid extraction reagent comprises zwitterionic buffer solution. Preferably, the nucleic acid extraction reagent comprises a surfactant and a proteolytic enzyme.

Abstract: A method for purifying a protected oligonucleotide comprising the steps of: a) providing a solution of the protected oligonucleotide in at least one solvent A having a boiling point below the boiling point of a solvent B, heating the solution at a temperature of at least 30° C. and below the boiling point of the at least solvent A, adding solvent B until precipitation of a material is visible in the solution, said solvent B being an alcohol having 1 to 6 C-atoms or a diol having 2 to 6 C-atoms, allowing the solution to cool down under stirring until formation of a supernatant and a residue, removing the supernatant or b) providing solvent B, said solvent B being an alcohol having 1 to 6 C-atoms or a diol having 2 to 6 C-atoms, heating solvent B at a temperature above 30° C.

Abstract: This invention relates methods and apparatus to separate charged species such as carbon nanotubes by their electrical conductivity. Carbon nanotubes of varying electrical conductivity may be separated by hybridizing the nanotubes with nucleic acids such as DNA and then passing a dispersion of the hybrids through an electrochemical cell with an electrical potential on the working electrode which absorbs or desorbs nanotubes of a desired electrical conductivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for isolating RNA from a whole blood sample, comprising the steps bringing the sample into contact with an aqueous lysis solution containing at least one lysis substance in a concentration of 1.5 mol/1 to 7 mol/1 and at least one detergent, simultaneously or subsequently adding a proteinase, in particular proteinase K, then incubating the solution for at least partial enzymatic digestion and lysis of the sample so that a lysate is obtained, and isolating the RNA from the lysate.

Abstract: Compositions and methods to isolate intact RNA that is substantially free of DNA, termed purified RNA. RNA from any source (e.g., human, other animals, plants, viruses, etc.) may be isolated. In one embodiment, the sample is treated with phenol at a pH less than 4.0 and purified RNA is recovered from the aqueous phase. In another embodiment, RNA is precipitated from an acidified sample containing a low volume of an organic solvent. Other embodiments are disclosed. The same inventive composition may be used for several embodiments with pH adjustment. Purified RNA obtained by the inventive method may be used in assays where DNA contamination is undesirable, such as the polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gentle method for isolating and purifying nucleic acids from a biological cell comprising sample comprising at least DNA, RNA, and proteins, comprising at least the steps of 1. mixing the sample with a lysis buffer, 2. incubating the sample at a temperature within a range between 45° C. and 59° C. to obtain DNA as well as RNA or within a range between 60° C. and 70° C., to obtain DNA essentially free of RNA and 3. separating the nucleic acids from any contaminants.

Abstract: A micro rotary machine may include a micro actuator and a micro shaft coupled to the micro actuator. The micro shaft comprises a horizontal shaft and is operable to be rotated by the micro actuator. A micro tool is coupled to the micro shaft and is operable to perform work in response to motion of the micro shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, kits, and compositions for purifying small RNA molecules. In particular, the present invention provides methods for purifying small RNA molecules from a sample containing both small RNA molecules and larger RNA molecules using a compaction agent and a RNA binding matrix, as well as compositions and kits for practicing such methods. In certain embodiments, the compaction agent comprises a plurality of metal-amine-halide molecules.

Abstract: Methods for processing polynucleotide-containing biological samples, and materials for capturing polynucleotide molecules such as RNA and/or DNA from such samples. The RNA and/or DNA is captured by polyamidoamine (PAMAM(Generation 0)) bound to a surface, such as the surface of magnetic particles. The methods and materials have high efficiency of binding RNA and of DNA, and of release, and thereby permit quantitative determinations.

Abstract: An analyte is separated from a fluid sample by introducing the sample into a cartridge having a sample port and a first flow path extending from the sample port. The first flow path includes an extraction chamber containing a solid support for capturing the analyte from the sample. The cartridge has a second flow path for eluting the captured analyte from the extraction chamber, the second flow diverging from the first flow path after passing through the extraction chamber. The sample is forced to flow through the extraction chamber and into a waste chamber, thereby capturing the analyte with the solid support as the sample flows through the extraction chamber. The captured analyte is then eluted from the extraction chamber by forcing an elution fluid to flow through the extraction chamber and along the second flow path.

Abstract: A system, method, and kit for extracting nucleic acid from a sample containing nucleic acid uses an extraction device with an elongate channel. Fluids are provided to the channel via gravity feed to the inlet port. The flow rate and other flow behavior may be controlled with a siphon provided at the outlet port.

Abstract: A system and method for preparing and testing of targeted nucleic acids is presented. The system integrates a pipetter, extractor, assay reader, and other components, including a selectively compliant articulated robot arm (SCARA). This synergistic integration of previously separate diagnostic tools creates a system and method whereby a minimum of human intervention is required. The resulting system provides a substantially more accurate and precise method of isolating, amplifying and detecting targeted nucleic acids for diagnosing diseases.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a reference material for determining incorporation of a genetically modified (GM) plant into a sample or analyzing a mixing ratio from a tissue-cultured cell line that is obtained by incubating tissues of either a GM plant or a non-GM plant, and a method of determining incorporation of a GM plant into a sample and analyzing a mixing ratio using the reference material are provided. The reference material for determining the incorporation of a genetically modified (GM) plant a sample or analyzing a mixing ratio using the tissue-cultured cell lines that are obtained by incubating tissues of the GM plant and the non-GM plant can be useful in producing a countless number of populations having the same genetic traits via the tissue culture. Thus, when a culture capacity of the reference material is increased to a large volume, it is possible to obtain a large volume of the reference material having uniform qualities with no quality variation between batches.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes and devices for collecting nucleic acids of microorganisms from particulate samples.

Abstract: A substrate comprising a crosslinked polymer primer layer, and grafted thereto a ligand-functionalized polymer is provided. The grafted polymer has the requisite affinity for binding neutral or negatively charged biomaterials, such as cells, cell debris, bacteria, spores, viruses, nucleic acids, and proteins, at pH's near or below the pI's of the biomaterials.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for enriching non-target polynucleotides from a mixture of non-target and target polynucleotides where differences between the target polynucleotides and the non-target polynucleotides include the extent of modified bases that are present in a greater density in the target polynucleotides than in the non-target polynucleotides. This permits the target polynucleotides to be selectively and rapidly bound to an affinity matrix such as affinity protein-coated magnetic beads providing enrichment of the non-target polynucleotides in the supernatant. One use of this enrichment is to remove human genomic DNA from a mixture of DNAs obtained from human tissue samples to enrich for polynucleotides in a microbiome so as to characterize the microbiome by DNA sequencing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for collecting nucleic acids from particulate samples. One embodiment disclosed herein relates to the use of ultrasonic energy to simultaneously shear large nucleic acid molecules and large particulates to very small sizes prior to or during a chemical binding step to a nucleic acid binding surface. Another embodiment involves crushing the nucleic acid binding surface prior to eluting the bound nucleic acid molecules to enable better wetting of the nucleic acid binding surface and easier diffusion of bound nucleic acid molecules out of the nucleic acid binding surface.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for conducting at least two reactions in a reaction tube, said method comprising the steps of providing at least two reaction phases within said reaction tube for allowing said reactions to occur therein, providing a separation phase that is immiscible with said two reaction phases and which is disposed therebetween, providing at least one particle capable of being coupled to a chemical species, wherein said particle is movable between said reaction phases to introduce said chemical species thereto.

Abstract: A method is provided for purifying nucleic acid from a sample in a microfluidic device. The method can be used to purify nucleic acids from any source known in the art that comprises nucleic acids, such as prokaryotic or eukaryotic organisms, viruses, cell, tissues, organs, etc. In a specific example, the tissue is whole blood. The method for purifying nucleic acid may run fully automated in the microfluidic device.

Abstract: A method for extracting nucleic acids from a biological material such as blood comprises contacting the mixture with a material at a pH such that the material is positively charged and will bind negatively charged nucleic acids and then eluting the nucleic acids at a pH when the said materials possess a neutral or negative charge to release the nucleic acids. The nucleic acids can be removed under mildly alkaline conditions to the maintain integrity of the nucleic acids and to allow retrieval of the nucleic acids in reagents that are immediately compatible with either storage or analytical testing.

Abstract: There is provided a nucleic acid extraction method applicable to microbes in a relatively wide range, and capable of rapidly extracting nucleic acid. The nucleic acid extraction method comprises the steps of introducing a cell suspension into a vessel, sealing the vessel, and preheating a heater up to a set temperature not lower than 100° C. Further, the method comprises the step of bringing the vessel into contact with the heater heated up to the set temperature, thereby heating the cell suspension housed in the vessel up to a prescribed highest temperature at not lower than 100° C. with the vessel held in a sealed state.

Abstract: A method for extracting nucleic acids from a biological material such as blood comprises contacting the mixture with a material at a pH such that the material is positively charged and will bind negatively charged nucleic acids and then eluting the nucleic acids at a pH when the said materials possess a neutral or negative charge to release the nucleic acids. The nucleic acids can be removed under mildly alkaline conditions to the maintain integrity of the nucleic acids and to allow retrieval of the nucleic acids in reagents that are immediately compatible with either storage or analytical testing.

Abstract: A method and kit which allow the use of a discrete amount of a binding matrix to first purify nucleic acids from a medium under a first set of binding conditions wherein the amount of nucleic acid bound to the binding matrix is essentially independent of the amount of surface area of the definable amount of the binding matrix, followed by a second purification step wherein the nucleic acids are bound to a discrete amount of binding matrix under a second set of binding conditions wherein the amount of nucleic acid bound to the binding matrix is essentially dependent on the amount of surface area of the definable amount of the binding matrix, thus providing a discrete quantity of nucleic acid.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions to extract and enrich by, physical separation or amplification, relatively short nucleic acids from a nucleic acid composition containing a high background of longer nucleic acids (e.g., host or maternal nucleic acids; genomic nucleic acid and the like).

Abstract: The invention describes a method of and kits for isolating and/or purifying nucleic acids, more specifically short-chain nucleic acids such as miRNA, from a nucleic acid-containing starting material, characterized by the following method steps of: (a) binding the nucleic acids to a nucleic acid-binding support material by contacting the starting material with said nucleic acid-binding support material in the presence of at least one chaotropic compound, at least two different detergents and at least one branched and/or unbranched alcohol, preferably isopropanol, with the concentration of said alcohol being 40% (v/v); (b) optionally eluting the bound nucleic acids from the nucleic acid-binding support material. The method of the invention is particularly suitable for purifying circulating, extracellular miRNA from blood.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions and methods of extracting infectious pathogens from a volume of blood. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of creating a fibrin aggregate confining the pathogens and introducing a fibrin lysis reagent to expose the pathogens for analysis. The present invention also concerns materials and methods for removing aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) from a sample.

Abstract: Described are reagents, methods, and kits for eluting, and amplifying and/or characterizing DNA from liquid and dried blood samples. A one-step DNA elution buffer has been developed that simplifies purification of DNA from blood samples. The purified DNA is suitable for use in subsequent widely used techniques such as enzymatic DNA amplification and quantitative analysis such as real-time PCR.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high affinity, antigen-specific, soluble heavy chain-only antibody which: lacks hallmark camelid-related amino acid substitutions and has FR2 substitutions which are not found in antibodies which comprise heavy and light chain; shows increased net hydrophobicity within CDR1 and an increased number of charged amino acids present in CDR3; and comprises one or more amino acid substitutions within the framework ?-pleated sheet leading to increased net hydrophobicity within FR1 and an increased number of charged amino acids present in FR3. Also provided are VII domains having the same properties, gene segments for their production, methods for their production, transgenic animals and uses of the antibody of the VH domains in therapy.

Abstract: A method for extracting nucleic acids from a biological sample by isolating nucleic acid-containing particles from the biological sample by one or more centrifugation procedures, performing one or more steps to mitigate adverse factors that prevent or might prevent high quality nucleic acid extraction, and extracting nucleic acids from the isolated particles. The centrifugation procedures are performed at a speed not exceeding about 200,000 g. The extracted nucleic acids contain both 18S and 28S rRNA.

Abstract: A magnetic separator comprising a separation chamber is provided. The magnetic separator comprises an inlet and at least one outlet, and a magnetic source operatively coupled to the separation chamber and comprising a plurality of magnets that can be selectively turned off and on to create a dynamic magnetic field in the separation chamber.

Abstract: Formalin fixation causes cross-linkage between nucleic acids and proteins and covalently modifies RNA. As a result, the molecules are rigid and may comprise subsequent RNA extraction. The invention provides a method for recovering RNA from formalin fixed paraffin-embedded tissue, including a short additional step of incubation with proteinase K after the first digestion step that makes a significant enhancement of the quality and quantity of the extracted RNA and subsequently, an improvement in the detection of gene expression is achieved. The method of the invention has the advantage of minimizing the number of manipulations, eliminating the need for potentially toxic solvents, and increasing significantly the amount of RNA recovered, and therefore the sensibility, when compared with previous methods.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for obtaining a (poly) nucleotide sequence of interest include steps of cultivating hosts cells to produce a nucleotide sequence of interest and harvesting these cells, introducing these cells in a passageway and disintegrating them in a continuous process. In the continuous process, performing in the passageway a precipitation of contaminants by a mixing of the disintegrated cells with a solution containing one or more salt(s) and obtaining a mixture and allowing a precipitate to separate from the solution of this mixture, preferably to float and/or to sediment from the solution of this mixture for 1-48 hours and pumping out a soluble material from this solution, while excluding recovering the precipitate.

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. The present invention further relates to a kit for carrying out the method of the invention.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of pDNA from cells is provided. In one aspect, the process comprises heating a liquid comprising the cells to an average temperature of from 95° C. to about 120° C. for a time of less than 10 seconds. In certain preferred aspects, the pDNA is extracted by the use of flow-through apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for air cooling a microfluidic device using confinement channels to isolate cooling air from exposed liquids are disclosed. The systems and methods may also thermally condition the cooling airflow for improved robustness of the microfluidic device. In one embodiment, the air cooling system includes a split-level cooling manifold including an inlet duct that directs cooling air to a microfluidic device and an outlet duct that directs air heated by the microfluidic device away from the microfluidic device. The temperature of cooling air may be measured. The cooling air may be preheated to a temperature that is higher than an expected ambient temperature. The temperature of the cooling air after being heated by a microfluidic device may be measured.

Abstract: An extraction apparatus and methods adapted to extract and preferably also isolate structures of interest from a test sample. The extraction apparatus contains a volume-dispensing mechanism that facilitates control over the injection of a sample suspected of containing a structure of interest into a filtration vessel that contains a membrane filter that associates with the structure of interest, preferably by adsorbing or binding thereto, and a collection container associated therewith. Methods of extracting, isolating, testing, and instructions regarding such methods are also included.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid extracting apparatus, and the nucleic acid extracting apparatus can include a pipe-shaped tube having an open outlet at one side thereof, and a hydrogel column that is provided inside the tube and filters impurities excluding an extraction target material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purifying a defined amount of nucleic acids from a nucleic acid-containing sample, which has at least the following steps: (a.) contacting the nucleic acid-containing sample with a defined amount of a nucleic acid binding phase with the following features: (i) the nucleic acid binding phase has nucleic acid binding ligands that have at least one protonatable group; (ii) the nucleic acid binding ligands are bound to a carrier; (iii) the nucleic acid binding phase has a surface with a low charge density, wherein the amount of nucleic acids in the sample exceeds the binding capacity of the amount of nucleic acid binding phase used; (b.) binding of the nucleic acids to the nucleic acid binding phase at a pH (binding pH) that is below the pKs value of at least one of the protonatable groups; (c.) elution of the nucleic acids at a pH that is above the binding pH, wherein a defined amount of nucleic acids is obtained.

Abstract: Method of processing a biological sample to yield nucleic acid appropriate for use in a subsequent in vitro nucleic acid amplification reaction. The method involves a rapid, transient exposure to alkaline conditions which can be achieved by mixing an alkaline solution with a pH-buffered solution that includes a detergent and the biological sample to be tested for the presence of particular nucleic acid species using in vitro amplification. The invented method advantageously can improve detection of some target nucleic acids without substantially compromising detectability of others. The method is particularly useful for simultaneously preparing RNA and DNA templates that can be used in multiplex amplification reactions.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a method for performing a bisulfite reaction to determine methylation positions in a nucleic acid via treatment of the solid phase-bound nucleic acid with bisulfite, desulfonation and elution of the nucleic acid from the solid phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for isolation of target molecules from a nucleic acid population.

Abstract: A formulation containing guanidine thiocyanate together with acetamide, one or more acetamide derivatives, or a combination of acetamide and one or more acetamide derivatives is used to purify one or more nucleic acids contained in a medium. In particular, a medium containing at least one nucleic acid is combined with a binding matrix and the formulation in order to cause the at least one nucleic acid to separate from its in vivo cellular environment and to bind to the binding matrix. The binding matrix with at least one nucleic acid bound thereto then is separated from substantially the rest of the combined medium and formulation, after which the at least one nucleic acid is eluted from the binding matrix to obtain the at least one nucleic acid in a substantially purified form.

Abstract: Disclosed are water-soluble ionic liquids suitable for promoting adsorption of nucleic acids to a solid phase. The use thereof, particularly methods for the isolation of nucleic acids from an aqueous solution, as well as kits for performing those methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for purification of RNA from a sample. The RNA can be total RNA or mRNA. The method involves preparing the sample in a solution of lysis buffer and depositing into a first end of a lysis straw such that the sample solution flows through the matrix of the lysis straw and is eluted from the opposite end of the lysis straw, and depositing the eluted material into a first end of a solid phase extraction (SPE) straw, such that the deposited solution flows through the matrix of the SPE straw towards the opposite end of the SPE straw, and eluting the RNA from the SPE straw by depositing a solution of elution buffer, into the first end of the SPE straw, such that the deposited solution flows through the matrix of the SPE straw and is eluted from the opposite end of the SPE straw, wherein purified RNA from the sample is present in the eluate of the SPE straw.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nucleic acid preparation with a content of below 1% protein, preferably below 0.1% protein, free of ethidium bromide, phenol, cesium chloride and detergents based on octyl phenol poly(ethylene glycol ether)n and with a content of below 1 EU/mg DNA of endotoxins. Said preparation is suitable as a drug particularly in gene therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the separation and purification of two or three cellular components selected from genomic DNA, RNA and proteins from a single biological sample. The method comprises generating an aqueous solution containing the cellular components by lysing cells with a lysis solution; contacting the aqueous solution with an ion exchanger for genomic DNA and RNA to bind to the ion exchanger; collecting the flow-through which contains unbound proteins; eluting RNA from the ion exchanger; and eluting DNA from the ion exchanger. For the purification of any two of the cellular components, one of the components is not collected. The invention also provides reagent kits for carrying out the methods.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for isolating both free and protein-associated DNA from bodily fluids, such as urine, saliva, serum, tears, sweat, cerebral spinal fluid, and plasma. The method comprises as a first step concentrating and isolating both the free DNA and the proteins present in the bodily fluid. The proteins are then digested in order to release the formerly protein-associated DNA from the isolated proteins. Lastly, the free and formerly protein-associated DNA can be isolated and purified.