Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions and devices for stabilizing the extracellular nucleic acid population in a cell-containing biological sample and for stabilizing the transcriptome of contained cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lysis, binding and/or wash reagent for isolating and/or purifying nucleic acids and a method for isolating and/or purifying nucleic acids.

Abstract: A fluidic testing system and method for use are presented. The fluidic testing system includes a microfluidic channel, a first chamber and second chamber. The microfluidic channel has only one port for the introduction and/or extraction of fluid through the microfluidic channel. The first chamber is disposed at a terminal end of the microfluidic channel. The second chamber is coupled to the fluidic channel and is aligned such that each opening to the second chamber is configured to be aligned substantially parallel to a gravity vector during operation.

Abstract: A microfluidic system is presented that includes a cartridge, a container, and a lid for the container. The cartridge includes a plurality of microfluidic channels coupled to one or more chambers. The container holds dry chemicals and includes a housing with a first opening and a second opening smaller than the first opening. The container is designed to be inserted into an opening of the cartridge, such that the container is independently secured within the opening. The insertion of the container allows for the container to be fluidically coupled with a microfluidic channel of the plurality of microfluidic channels via the second opening. The lid includes a column that extends from the lid into the container.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions and devices for stabilizing the extracellular nucleic acid population in a cell-containing biological sample using an apoptosis inhibitor, preferably a caspase inhibitor, a hypertonic agent and/or a compound according to formula 1 as defined in the claims.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of evaluating a mutational burden in a sample. The method includes providing first data which represents allelic depths of the sample; calculating rate data based on the first data; segmenting the rate data into a plurality of segments of rate data using a wavelet transform; estimating parameters for each of the plurality of segments; classifying each of the plurality of segments based on the estimated parameters. The classifying includes, for each of a plurality of classification thresholds, generating a classification for the plurality of segments based on the classification threshold and determining an intermediate value based on the classification. The method further comprises determining a mutational burden of the sample based on the intermediate values.

Abstract: Method and system for compensating intensity biases in a plurality of digital images. Each digital image of the plurality of digital images contains a plurality of objects and each of the plurality of objects is configured to receive at least one molecule comprising genetic information, wherein the at least one molecule is configured to receive one of at least a first fluorescent compound and a second fluorescent compound. A first digital image of the plurality of digital images is taken by an optical imaging system during emission of electromagnetic radiation by the first fluorescent compound, and a second digital image of the plurality of digital images is taken by the optical imaging system during emission of electromagnetic radiation by the second fluorescent compound.

Abstract: A microfluidic system is presented that includes a cartridge, a container, and a lid for the container. The cartridge includes a plurality of microfluidic channels coupled to one or more chambers. The container holds dry chemicals and includes a housing with a first opening and a second opening smaller than the first opening. The container is designed to be inserted into an opening of the cartridge, such that the container is independently secured within the opening. The insertion of the container allows for the container to be fluidically coupled with a microfluidic channel of the plurality of microfluidic channels via the second opening. The lid includes a column that extends from the lid into the container.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to methods and kits for isolating extracellular nucleic acids from a biological sample using anion exchange particles. It was found that incorporating into the binding mixture a polyoxyalkylene fatty alcohol ether compensates performance variations that are attributable to differences in the anion exchange surface as they may occur e.g. between different lots/batches of the anion exchange particles and/or during storage of said particles. Moreover, including a polyoxyalkylene fatty alcohol ether in the binding mixture resulted in a higher purity of the obtained eluates revealing significantly less inhibition in a downstream reaction such as a PCR reaction.

Abstract: Provided is a method for analysing the expression of one or more biomarker RNA molecules, comprising (A) isolating RNA from circulating tumor cells obtained from a subject, determining the expression of at least one biomarker RNA molecule in the isolated RNA and providing an expression profile based on the results; (B) isolating RNA from extracellular vesicles obtained from the subject, determining the expression of at least one biomarker RNA molecule in the isolated RNA and providing an expression profile based on the results; and (C) using the expression profiles determined in (A) and determined in (B) for a combined analysis of the results. Such combined analysis of the CTC and EV expression profiles enhances the prognostic and predictive value of the obtained results and can provide valuable diagnostic, prognostic and/or predictive information. The present method can thus be used as improved diagnostic, prognostic and/or predictive aid in the management of cancer patients.

Abstract: A kit for use in assessing the status of nucleic acid degradation and/or the integrity of one or more nucleic acids in a sample by amplifying at least two overlapping regions within at least one locus and detecting the amount of the at least two amplification products. The kit includes a primer and at least two probes that bind under stringent conditions to a sequence that shares at least 80% sequence identity to a sequence selected from the group of sequences consisting of SEQ ID NO. 6 to SEQ ID NO. 47 over a stretch of 80 base pairs, or to a reverse complement thereof. One of the at least two probes binds to one of the at least two overlapping regions and the other of the at least two probes binds to a non-overlapping region.

Abstract: A phenol-free method for isolating a nucleic acid from a sample is provided, said method comprising the following steps: a) adding a precipitation buffer to a sample to prepare an acidic precipitation mixture wherein said precipitation buffer comprises a metal cation precipitant and a buffering agent, has a pH value of 4.0 or less and does not comprise an organic solvent selected from aprotic polar solvents and protic solvents and wherein the acidic precipitation mixture comprises the metal cation precipitant in a concentration of less than 200 mM and precipitating proteins; b) separating the precipitate from the supernatant, wherein the supernatant comprises small RNA having a length of less than 200 nt and large RNA having a length of at least 1000 nt; and c) isolating a nucleic acid from the supernatant. The present method allows to avoid the use of organic solvents during protein precipitation. Also provided is a precipitation buffer.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for isolating a target nucleic acid including small target nucleic acids from a sample, said method comprising at least the following steps a) binding at least a portion of the target nucleic acid including small target nucleic acids to a nucleic acid binding solid phase comprised in a column by passing the sample through said column, b) performing an enzymatic and/or chemical treatment on the nucleic acid binding solid phase while the target nucleic acid is bound to said solid phase, c) collecting at least a portion of the small target nucleic acids released from the solid phase during said treatment of step b) as flow-through, d) contacting said flow-through which comprises small target nucleic acids mixed with a recovery solution with a nucleic acid binding solid phase for binding the contained small target nucleic acids to said nucleic acid binding solid phase, e) optionally performing an elution.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and composition suitable for stabilizing cell-containing samples such as blood samples. The stabilizers used are primary or secondary carboxylic acid amides.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of regulation of enzymatic activity in nucleic acid modifying reactions. It describes a method of regulating enzymatic activity by adding chelating agents to the reaction composition and exploits the fact that both the binding of divalent cations to these chelating agents and the pH of commonly used buffers is temperature dependent. PCR experiments that are hampered by non-specific side products can be regulated such that the target sequence is amplified in a more specific manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of neighbor influence compensation between a plurality of objects in at least one digital image, wherein the at least one digital image contains image information about a plurality of objects. Each of the plurality of objects is configured to receive at least one molecule comprising genetic information, wherein the at least one molecule is configured to receive a fluorescent compound, and the at least one digital image is taken by an optical imaging system during emission of electromagnetic radiation of the fluorescent compounds received by the at least one molecules.

Abstract: Modular flow cells, devices with modular flow cells, and methods of sequencing using modular flow cells, as well as systems and kits including modular flow cells, are described, permitting sequencing wherein less than the full capacity for sequencing is desired.