Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to the amplification-based detection of bisulfite-treated DNAs and particularly, but not exclusively, to methods and compositions for multiplex amplification of low-level sample DNA prior to further characterization of the sample DNA. The technology further provides methods for isolating DNA from blood or blood product samples, e.g., plasma samples.

Abstract: Provided herein is reagent mixture comprising multiplexed amplification reagents and flap assay reagents for detecting, in a single reaction, mutant copies of the KRAS gene that contain any of the 34A, 34C, 34T, 35A, 35C, 35T or 38A point mutations. Methods that employ the reagent mix and kits for performing the same are also provided.

Abstract: A cleavage-based real-time PCR assay method is provided. In general terms, the assay method includes subjecting a reaction mixture comprising a) PCR reagents for amplifying a nucleic acid target, and b) flap cleavage reagents for performing a flap cleavage assay on the amplified nucleic acid target to two sets of thermocycling conditions. No additional reagents are added to the reaction between said first and second sets of cycles and, in each cycle of the second set of cycles, cleavage of a flap probe is measured.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to detecting neoplasia and particularly, but not exclusively, to methods, compositions, and related uses for detecting premalignant and malignant neoplasms such as gastric cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for determination of and uses of specific methylation patterns indicative of adenoma and carcinoma. In particular, the invention relates to analysis of defined CpG loci that are coordinately methylated in DNAs from cancer and adenoma samples, methods for identifying coordinately methylated loci, and methods of using analysis of coordinately methylated loci in one or more marker regions in the design of assays for adenoma and cancer.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating compositions and methods for detecting tissue cell-specific DNA, such as epithelial cell-specific DNA, in blood or blood products from a subject. The technology also relates to use of tissue cell-specific DNAs as internal controls for methylation assays.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating compositions and methods for detecting tissue cell-specific DNA in blood or blood products from a subject of a subject having cancer. The technology also relates to use of tissue cell-specific DNAs as internal controls for methylation assays.

Abstract: A method of sample analysis is provided. In certain embodiments, the method involves: a) amplifying a product from a sample that comprises both wild type copies of a genomic locus and mutant copies of the genomic locus that have a point mutation relative to said wild type copies of the genomic locus, to produce an amplified sample, where: i. the amplifying is done using a first primer and a second primer; and ii. the first primer comprises a 3? terminal nucleotide that base pairs with the point mutation and also comprises a nucleotide sequence that is fully complementary to a sequence in the locus with the exception of a single base mismatch within 6 bases of the 3? terminal nucleotide; and b) detecting the presence of said product in said amplified sample using a flap assay that employs an invasive oligonucleotide. A kit for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology for esophageal disorder screening and particularly, but not exclusively, to methods, compositions, and related uses for detecting the presence of esophageal disorders (e.g., Barrett's esophagus, Barrett's esophageal dysplasia, etc.). In addition, the technology provides methods, compositions and related uses for distinguishing between Barrett's esophagus and Barrett's esophageal dysplasia, and between Barrett's esophageal low-grade dysplasia, Barrett's esophageal high-grade dysplasia, and esophageal adenocarcinoma within samples obtained through endoscopic brushing or nonendoscopic whole esophageal brushing or swabbing using a tethered device (e.g. such as a capsule sponge, balloon, or other device).

Abstract: Provided herein is technology for lung neoplasia screening and particularly, but not exclusively, to methods, compositions, and related uses for detecting the presence of lung cancer.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to detecting neoplasia and particularly, but not exclusively, to methods, compositions, and related uses for detecting premalignant and malignant neoplasms such as colorectal cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides DNA plasmids that find use as calibrators or reference standards for calculating DNA quantities in a sample. In particular, provided herein are DNA plasmids that contain multiple control fragments, and methods of their use in DNA quantitation.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology related to the chemical modification and purification of DNA. Specifically, the technology provides methods for performing a bisulfite conversion reaction on small amounts of single-stranded, fragmented DNA and performing the subsequent desulfonation and purification steps on magnetic beads.

Abstract: The present invention provides synthetic DNA strands that find use as controls or in nucleic acid testing methods. In particular, provided herein are synthetic DNA strands of known composition for use as control molecules in stool DNA testing, e.g., of mutations and/or methylation of DNA isolated from stool samples.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to the amplification-based detection of nucleic acids and particularly, but not exclusively, to methods and compositions for minimizing variability in the activity between different samples or manufacturing lots of DNA polymerases, such as Taq DNA polymerase.

Abstract: Provided herein is reagent mixture comprising multiplexed amplification reagents and flap assay reagents for detecting, in a single reaction, mutant copies of the KRAS gene that contain any of the 34A, 34C, 34T, 35A, 35C, 35T or 38A point mutations. Methods that employ the reagent mix and kits for performing the same are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to detecting neoplasia and particularly, but not exclusively, to methods, compositions, and related uses for detecting premalignant and malignant neoplasms such as gastric cancer.

Abstract: A method of sample analysis is provided. In certain embodiments, the method involves: a) amplifying a product from a sample that comprises both wild type copies of a genomic locus and mutant copies of the genomic locus that have a point mutation relative to said wild type copies of the genomic locus, to produce an amplified sample, where: i. the amplifying is done using a first primer and a second primer; and ii. the first primer comprises a 3? terminal nucleotide that base pairs with the point mutation and also comprises a nucleotide sequence that is fully complementary to a sequence in the locus with the exception of a single base mismatch within 6 bases of the 3? terminal nucleotide; and b) detecting the presence of said product in said amplified sample using a flap assay that employs an invasive oligonucleotide. A kit for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to detecting neoplasia and particularly, but not exclusively, to methods, compositions, and related uses for detecting premalignant and malignant neoplasms such as pancreatic and colorectal cancer. Accordingly, provided herein is technology for pancreatic cancer screening markers and other gastrointestinal cancer screening markers that provide a high signal to-noise ratio and a low background level when detected from samples taken from a subject (e.g., stool sample). As described herein, the technology provides a number of methylated DNA markers and subsets thereof (e.g., sets of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or more markers) with high discrimination for G1 neoplasms overall and/or at individual tumor sites.

Abstract: A method of detecting a predisposition to, or the incidence of, cancer in a sample comprises detecting an epigenetic change in at least one gene selected from an NDRG4/NDRG2 subfamily gene, GATA4, OSMR, GATA5, SFRP1, ADAM23, JPH3, SFRP2, APC, MGMT, TFPI2, BNIP3, FOXE1, SYNE1, SOX17, PHACTR3 and JAM3, wherein detection of the epigenetic change is indicative of a predisposition to, or the incidence of, cancer. Also described are pharmacogenetic methods for determining suitable treatment regimens for cancer and methods for treating cancer patients, based around selection of the patients according to the methods of the invention. The present invention is also concerned with improved methods of collecting, processing and analyzing samples, in particular body fluid samples. These methods may be useful in diagnosing, staging or otherwise characterizing various diseases.