Abstract: A process for the preparation of amine-functionalised vinyl polymer particles which process comprises suspension polymerizing minostyrene together with at least one other vinylic monomer and optionally a crosslinking agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of isolating nucleic acid from a sample, said method comprising contacting said sample with a detergent and a solid support, whereby soluble nucleic acid in said sample is bound to the support, and separating said support with bound nucleic acid from the sample. Where the method of the invention is used to isolate DNA, it may conveniently be couple with a further step to isolate RNA from the same sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of isolating nucleic acid from a sample, said method comprising contacting said sample with a detergent and a solid support, whereby soluble nucleic acid in said sample is bound to the support, and separating said support with bound nucleic acid from the sample. Where the method of the invention is used to isolate DNA, it may conveniently be couple with a further step to isolate RNA from the same sample.

Abstract: Enzymes or catalytic fragments thereof reversibly inactivated by attachment to an immobilizing moiety which may comprise a magnetic particle are activated by release from the immobilizing moiety. The enzyme or fragment may be in the form of a fusion protein that is attached to the immobilizing moiety via a pair of affinity binding partners such that the enzyme or fragment is reversibly inactivated, and release of the fusion protein from the immobilizing moiety activates the enzyme or fragment. Enzymes include DNA polymerases, DNA ligases, Reverse transcriptases and RNA polymerases. The enzyme or fragment may be thermostable, and the fusion protein can be bound to the immobilizing moiety via a heat-labile linkage. Activation of the reversibly inactivated immobilized enzyme or fragment has particular utility in PCR and analogous nucleic acid amplification techniques.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of improving the binding of a series of consecutive nucleotide bases to a complementary target nucleic acid molecule in a sample, wherein said method comprises at least the step or steps of binding a complementary modular oligonucleotide of at least two parts (modules) including said nucleotide bases to adjacent stretches of said target nucleic acid molecule in said sample, especially methods of detection/isolation, particularly in the isolation of primer extension products and methods in which the modular oligonucleotide is a primer, modular oligonucleotides themselves and their use in methods of the invention.

Abstract: The process includes the steps of: a) contacting a liquid containing mRNA with an insoluble support having DNA probes attached thereto via the 5' -terminus thereof whereby the MRNA is hybridized to said probes and hence to said support; b) removing said liquid; and c) adding enzymes and nucleotides in solution whereby the probe functions as a primer to produce single stranded cDNA on the mRNA probe. The probe DNA may be oligo-dT or a specific DNA sequence, such as one that is complementary to a conserved region in a class of mRNA molecules. The insoluble support comprises magnetic particles which are monodisperse polymer particles comprising superparamagnetic iron oxide, a coating to reduce non-specific binding and a substituent for attaching an oligonucleotide.

Abstract: Monodisperse, superparamagnetic particles carrying a plurality of molecules of an oligonucleotide are disclosed and may be used inter alia for sequencing single-stranded nucleic acids. The oligonucleotide may be covalently attached or affinity bonded to the particles either by their 3' or 5' termini. The particles have a specific gravity in the range 1.1-1.8 and are 1-10 microns in diameter. A kit for the isolation or processing of target nucleic acid is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of cleaving an antigen/anti-antigen or hapten/anti-hapten linkage joining two particles comprising reacting said linkage with a secondary antibody, or fragment thereof, binding to said anti-antigen or anti-hapten, and a kit for performing such a method. The method of the invention has particular utility in the separation of cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides modified IgG3 containing human constant regions which has a shorter total-hinge region compared with normal human IgG3. Also described is a method for assaying an antibody against a specific antigen or hapten for its effectiveness in complement activation in an animal species, wherein the antibody is contacted with the immobilized antigen or hapten to form an immobilized antibody/antigen or hapten complex which is then contacted with complement from the relevant animal species, followed by assay of components of the complement complex thereby formed; whereby the extent and nature of complement activation by the antibody in the sample may be determined.