Abstract: The aim of the present invention is to provide a solution to the problem of mixing in a vessel two or more substances of which at least one is a liquid phase. The vessel preferably comprises a container having an open upper end which may be advantageously surrounded by a rim, and a closed bottom end. The mixing device most preferably comprises a support plate adapted to receive the container and to allow engagement therewith by a rotating mixing cylinder. A single rotational movement e.g. from a drive motor acting through a drive cylinder, causes the rotating mixing cylinder to simultaneously engage the sample container and drive the bottom of the container in a circular motion around a vertical axis in order to generate a vortex in the substances to be mixed. Very effective, automated mixing of the substances is thereby effected.

Abstract: A process of producing highly pure, Q Beta replicase having a high level of activity is described. The present process allows isolation of Q Beta replicase from recombinant bacteria containing a clone of a phage DNA encoding the 65,000 weight subunit of Q Beta replicase. The present process provides an efficient method for producing pure Q Beta replicase which can readily be scaled up to commercial production levels.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an improved method for detecting a nucleic acid target sequence with a replicatable RNA reporter system. Two polymerase-mediated reactions are used to generate a target-specific gene containing a DNA sequence for a replicatable RNA. Transcription of the target-specific gene yields a replicatable RNA which is amplified by replication. Synthesis of the gene and the replicatable RNA is strictly dependent upon specific interaction with the target sequence. Consequently, the amplified signal (RNA) is target-dependent and background signal is reduced.

Abstract: Nucleic acid fragment capable of hybridizing to rRNA of Listeria monocytogenes and not to rRNA of Bacillus subtilis.

Abstract: Nucleic acid probes capable of specifically hybridizing to rRNA of E. coli and Shigella species and not to rRNA of non-E. coli/Shigella are described along with methods utilizing such probes for the specific detection of E. coli and/or Shigella in food and other samples.

Abstract: Magnetic separation devices are described for use in immunoassay or hybridization assay procedures. The most preferred embodiments comprise a defined relationship between microtube and microtiter plate receiving orifices and rare earth cobalt magnets having predetermined magnetic field orientations.

Abstract: A new method for releasing sample nucleic acids from cells, bacteria and viruses comprises non-invasively sonicating the sample contained within a sample container brought into physical contact with the vibrating element of a sonicator tuned to resonate at a frequency of 40 KHz or greater.

Abstract: A method for detecting a first member of a specific binding pair in a sample, the first member being capable of forming a complex with a second member of the specific binding pair, includes immobilizing the second member on a surface of a piezoelectric oscillator, determining a first vibrational frequency of the oscillator on which the second member has been immobilized, contacting the surface of the oscillator on which the second member has been immobilized with the sample under conditions permitting formation of the complex, and with a particle under conditions permitting binding of the particle with the first member, mass coupling the bound particle with the oscillator, and determining a second vibrational frequency of the oscillator with which the particle has been mass coupled, the difference between the first vibrational frequency and the second vibrational frequency providing a measure of the quantity of the first member in the sample.