Abstract: A cap having a plurality of spaced-apart grooves in a downwardly tapered inner wall of the cap to facilitate the formation of air passageways as the cap is penetrated by a pipette tip. The air passageways aid in venting air from a fluid-holding vessel closed with the cap.

Abstract: The present invention provides kits containing tagged oligonucleotides for use in certain nucleic acid amplification methods to desirably reduce or eliminate false positive amplification signals resulting from contaminating biological material, e.g., nucleic acid, that may be present in one or more reagents used in an amplification reaction and/or that may be present in the environment in which an amplification reaction is performed. The kits containing tagged oligonucleotides can be used in purification and/or sterility efforts under less stringent conditions than conventionally needed to reduce or eliminate false positive results in a nucleic acid amplification method.

Abstract: A method for obtaining the contents of a fluid-holding vessel having a cap secured to an open end thereof. The method includes penetrating a surface of the cap with a fluid transfer device and forming one or more air passageways between the penetrated surface of the cap and the fluid transfer device to allow air to be vented from the vessel. At least a portion of the contents of the vessel is then drawn into the fluid transfer device before the fluid transfer device is removed from the vessel.

Abstract: A cap including a penetrable material adapted to be pierced by a fluid transfer device and an absorbent material positioned above the penetrable material. The absorbent material permits passage of the fluid transfer device and absorbs fluid material present on an outer surface of the fluid transfer device as it is being removed from the cap. The cap is useful for accessing the contents of an associated fluid-holding vessel multiple times.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits for detecting Group A streptococci. Particularly described are oligonucleotides that are useful as amplification primers and hybridization probes for detecting very low levels of Group A streptococci nucleic acids.

Abstract: Oligonucleotides for use in determining the presence of Chlamydophila pneumoniae in a test sample. The oligonucleotides are incorporated into detection probes, capture probes, and amplification oligonucleotides, and can be used in various combinations thereof.

Abstract: Kits for amplifying DNA which include a priming oligonucleotide that hybridizes to a 3?-end of a DNA target sequence, a displacer oligonucleotide that hybridizes to a target nucleic acid containing the DNA target sequence at a position upstream from the priming oligonucleotide, and a promoter oligonucleotide that includes a region that hybridizes to a 3?-region of a DNA primer extension product that includes the priming oligonucleotide and a promoter for an RNA polymerase. The priming oligonucleotide does not include an RNA region that hybridizes to the target nucleic acid and is selectively degraded by an enzyme activity when hybridized to the target nucleic acid. The kits do not include a restriction endonuclease and oligonucleotides that include a promoter for an RNA polymerase are all modified to prevent the initiation of DNA synthesis therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention describes novel oligonucleotides targeted to nucleic acid sequences derived from Cryptosporidium organisms, and Cryptosporidium parvum organisms in particular, which are useful for determining the presence of Cryptosporidium organisms in a test sample. The oligonucleotides of the present invention include hybridization assay probes, helper probes and amplification primers. The present invention further describes a novel method for obtaining purified ribonucleic acid from viable oocysts.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits for detecting Group B streptococci. Particularly described are oligonucleotides that are useful as amplification primers and hybridization probes for detecting very low levels of Group B streptococci nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oligonucleotides useful for determining the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex organisms in a test sample. The oligonucleotides of the present invention may be incorporated into detection probes, helper probes, capture probes and amplification oligonucleotides, and used in various combinations thereof.

Abstract: A cap having a core structure dimensioned to receive a pipette therethrough. The cap includes two axially aligned frangible seals that are affixed to the core structure in a spaced-apart relationship. The frangible seals are constructed so that air passageways are formed between the frangible seals and a pipette tip when the pipette tip penetrates the frangible seals. The cap optionally includes a filter interposed between the first and second frangible seals.

Abstract: A cap having a core structure dimensioned to receive a pipette therethrough. The cap includes two axially aligned frangible seals that are affixed to the core structure in a spaced-apart relationship. The frangible seals include a foil layer and are constructed so that air passageways are formed between the frangible seals and a pipette tip when the pipette tip penetrates the frangible seals. The cap optionally includes a filter interposed between the first and second frangible seals.

Abstract: Method for obtaining a fluid from a collection device assembled to isolate a specimen retrieval device from the pathway of a fluid transfer device used to penetrate a cap of the collection device and to draw and remove the fluid from the collection device for analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for selective amplification of target nucleic acid sequence using a tagged oligonucleotide comprising a target hybridizing sequence that hybridizes to a 3?-end of the target nucleic acid and a tag sequence situated 5? to the target hybridizing sequence. The tagged oligonucleotide is hybridized to the target nucleic acid and, after reducing the effective concentration of unhybridized tagged oligonucleotide having an active form, a primer extension reaction is initiated to produce a primer extension product. Further amplification also utilizes a first oligonucleotide that hybridizes to the 3? end of the complement of the target nucleic acid and a second oligonucleotide that hybridizes to the complement of the tag sequence. Also disclosed are reaction mixtures for use in the disclosed methods comprising the tagged oligonucleotide hybridized to target nucleic and substantially free of an active form of unhybridized tagged oligonucleotide.

Abstract: The present invention describes novel oligonucleotides targeted to nucleic acid sequences derived from Cryptosporidium organisms, and Cryptosporidium parvum organisms in particular, which are useful for determining the presence of Cryptosporidium organisms in a test sample. The oligonucleotides of the present invention include hybridization assay probes, helper probes and amplification primers. The present invention further describes a novel method for obtaining purified ribonucleic acid from viable oocysts.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods of synthesizing multiple copies of a target nucleic acid sequence which are autocatalytic (i.e., able to cycle automatically without the need to modify reaction conditions such as temperature, pH, or ionic strength and using the product of one cycle in the next one). In particular, the present invention discloses a method of nucleic acid amplification which is robust and efficient, while reducing the appearance of side-products. The method uses only one primer, the “priming oligonucleotide,” a promoter oligonucleotide modified to prevent polymerase extension from its 3?-terminus and, optionally, a means for terminating a primer extension reaction, to amplify RNA or DNA molecules in vitro, while reducing or substantially eliminating the formation of side-products. The method of the present invention minimizes or substantially eliminates the emergence of side-products, thus providing a high level of specificity.

Abstract: A method for accessing the contents of a closed collection device having a cap and a fluid-holding vessel in fixed association. The method includes penetrating one or more materials of the cap with an air displacement pipette, thereby forming one or more passageways for venting air displaced from within the collection device, where the pipette includes structure for forming the one or more passageways. A fluid present in the vessel is drawn into the pipette before the pipette is removed from the collection device.

Abstract: A sample tube holder having sample tube compartments with sets of spaced finger springs provided therein for maintaining sample tubes in substantially upright orientations. A guide structure having a series of openings is used to direct sample tubes into the sample tube compartments and to restrict lateral movement of sample tubes held thereby. A retainer is releasably engaged by the guide structure and has openings sized to provide access to sample tubes held by the sample tube compartments but which restrict vertical movement of the sample tubes. Tabs at a base of the sample tube holder and hold-downs fixed to a stationary structure adjacent a conveyor cooperate to restrict vertical movement of the sample tube holder during automated sampling procedures.

Abstract: A sample carrier comprising a frame and one or more sample tube receiving structures pivotally connected to the frame. Each sample tube receiving structure includes a bottom member adapted to receive a plurality of sample tubes and a top member having a plurality of aligned apertures sized to receive sample tubes therethrough. The sample tube receiving structures can be releasably locked relative to a support wall of the frame, thereby substantially immobilizing sample tubes that are held by the sample carrier.

Abstract: Oligonucleotides for use in determining the presence of Chlamydophila pneumoniae in a test sample. The oligonucleotides are incorporated into detection probes, capture probes, and amplification oligonucleotides, and can be used in various combinations thereof.