Abstract: This invention relates to safe and effective methods for the extraction of nucleic acids. In particular, methods are described for isolating nucleic acid from a sample containing a biological mixture of nucleic acids and other biological compounds wherein the sample is combined with an extraction solution containing at least one organic compound such as benzyl alcohol or a benzyl alcohol derivative to form an aqueous and non-aqueous phase. The nucleic acid is isolated from the aqueous phase. Preferably, the resulting combined solution also contains bentonite, as defined below. Typically, the sample will first be combined with a lysing agent before extraction. The lysing agents preferred are chaotropic salts such as guanidinium hydrochloride and guanidinium isothiocyanate.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel methods for the extraction of nucleic acid. In particular methods are described for isolating nucleic acid from a sample containing a complex biological mixture of nucleic acid and non-nucleic acids wherein the sample is combined with an extraction solution comprising a lactam and then the nucleic acid material is isolated from the resulting combined solution. The resulting combined solution is mixed and becomes biphasic and the nucleic acid material is isolated from the aqueous phase by precipitation with ethanol. The lactam is preferably about 5 to about 70% of the extraction solution and is most preferably 2-pyrrolidone, N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-dodecyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-hydroxyethyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-methyl-2-piperidone, 2-.epsilon.-caprolactam, N-methyl-2-caprolactam, 2-piperidone or N-(4-hydroxybenzyl)pyrrolidone. Methods for selectively isolating DNA, ribosomal RNA and plasmid DNA are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel methods for the release of nucleic acids from cells in complex biological samples or specimens to prepare and make available the nucleic acid material present for a hybridization assay or for extraction. Novel methods for hybridization of nucleic acids are also presented. In particular methods are described for isolating nucleic acid from a sample containing a complex biological mixture of nucleic acid and non-nucleic acids wherein the sample is combined with a hybridization medium comprising a lactam which promotes and enables nucleic acid pairing when complementary nucleic acid is introduced. The lactam is preferably about 5 to about 70% of the hybridization medium and is most preferably 2-pyrrolidone, N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-dodecyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-hydroxyethyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-methyl-2-piperidone, 2-.epsilon.-caprolactam, N-methyl-2-caprolactam, 2-piperidone or N-(4-hydroxybenzyl)pyrrolidone.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for using volume exclusion agents to enhance in situ hybridization rates between short oligonucleotide probes and their target polynucleotides where the cells containing the target polynucleotides are adhered onto a glass substrate. In one aspect, the invention specifically relates to the use of volume exclusion agents to facilitate assay and diagnostic procedures for the detection of a virus, such as human papillomavirus (HPV). In addition, diagnostic kits embracing the above methods are described herein.