Abstract: The invention relates to a thermostable polymerase based on thermococcus pacificus; DNA molecules which code for one such polymerase; expression vectors; host cells; methods for producing one such polymerase and the use thereof for polymerising nucleic acid, especially in the polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a storage and dispensing vessel for microsystems and to a method for storing and dispensing a liquid. It is the object of the invention to be able to store a liquid with volatile and/or creeping substances in very small vessels over many months, preferably over at least one year, and to be able to dispense it automatically with comparatively little technical effort. For accomplishing this object, a bellows configured as a vessel is provided which is sealed, preferably welded, in an air-tight and liquid-tight manner once the bellows vessel has been filled. This bellows vessel at the same time serves as a dispensing vessel. The vessel can be emptied automatically with relatively simple means. For this purpose, it is, for example, clamped into a device which compresses the bellows, namely in the direction of a hollow needle—also referred to as cannula or hypodermic needle—or of a comparable means. In the process, the hollow needle or the comparable means pierces a vessel wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel RNAi based selection system for selecting host cells that have incorporated an expression vector.

Abstract: The invention generally provides a method for the sample preparation for a subsequent preparation, processing or analysis method of a sample containing an at least one species of nucleic acid and/or one species of protein, whereby the method comprises the following steps: A) providing a sample which contains at least one species of a nucleic acid and/or of a protein, B) contacting the sample with a fluid or solid composition to produce a fluid sample preparation, whereby the composition contains at least a nitrogenous compound, which is selected from the group consisting of a) polyamines, b) amino acids, and oligo- and polypeptides, c) nitrogenous heterocyclic compounds, including homo- oder heteropolymers, which comprise these nitrogenous compounds, d) amines of the type R1R2NR3, whereby R1, R2 and R3 are chosen independently from one another from the group consisting of H, C1-C5-alkyl groups and aryl groups, whereby R1, R2 and R3 are not H simultaneously, e) carboxylic acid amides, f) inorganic ammonium sal

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for isolating nucleic acids from a nucleic acid containing sample, and a kit for carrying out said method. More specifically, it relates to a novel method for extracting nucleic acids from a nucleic acid containing sample, using an anion exchange solid support, and allowing this solid phase with the nucleic acid bound thereto to react with a compound which is also capable of binding to said anion exchange solid support and which optionally provides additional charges at the surface of the anion exchange solid material, thereby preferably changing the surface charge density of the solid support and then releasing the nucleic acid from the solid support, eliminating the need for high salt and/or high pH elution buffers.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of nucleic acid chemistry. More specifically, it relates to a method for enhancing the performance of coamplification reactions, e.g., multiplex PCR reactions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for decomposing a biological sample (9), said method having the following steps: the sample (9) is put into a container (6) which is composed of plastic, in particular, the container (6) is inserted into an adapter (2, 2a), the adapter with the closed container therein is connected to an apparatus which moves the adapter back and forth, in particular upwards, in automated fashion. This method makes it possible to decompose biological samples in automated fashion, to be precise both samples at room temperature and frozen samples. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method, said apparatus comprising an adapter (2, 2a) which is predominantly composed of plastic and has sleeves (4) which are composed of metal and are intended to accommodate containers (6) which are composed of plastic, in particular.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods useful for labeling and detection of analytes. The compositions generally are associations of three components: reporter binding agents, amplification target circles, and DNA polymerase. The compositions are assembled prior to their use in a rolling circle amplification reaction and can be stored and transported prior to use without substantial loss of activity. The reporter binding agents generally are composed of a specific binding molecule and a rolling circle replication primer. The specific binding molecule can be specific for a target molecule. The rolling circle replication primer has sequence complementary to the amplification target circle. The DNA polymerase can interact with the rolling circle replication primer and amplification target circle. For use as a general reagent, the specific binding molecule is not bound to the target molecule until the composition is used in an assay.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for isolation of plasmid DNA from biomass by means of an aqueous 2-phase system having a polymer component and a salt component, characterized in that the resuspension of the biomass employed, the alkaline lysis of the biomass, the neutralization of the alkaline lysis batch and the separation of the plasmid DNA from the contaminants are carried out in a single reaction vessel (one-pot process) rendered possible in that the neutralization of the alkaline lysis batch is carried out in one and the same container by addition of potassium phosphate and one component of the aqueous 2-phase system is therefore already present. The second component of the aqueous 2-phase system is a PEG having a molecular weight of the mathematical average of about 600 g/mol to 1,000 g/mol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of isolating/extracting in parallel various biomolecules, in particular nucleic acids and proteins, from the same fixed biological samples, to the quantification and analysis of the biomolecules isolated by the method of the invention, and to a kit for isolating/extracting in parallel various biomolecules from a fixed sample, to the use of said kit for diagnosing, prognosing, deciding the therapy of and monitoring the therapy of a disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the isolation and purification of nucleic acids by elution of nucleic acids from nucleic acid-containing samples, and biological materials. The present invention further relates to a kit for carrying out the method of the invention.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for a centrifuge for isolating and/or purifying biomolecules has a rotor body (12) for rotatable mounting around a rotation axis in the centrifuge. According to the invention, the rotor body (12) has in addition at least one channel (14) for channeling a sample liquid. The integration of the channel (14) into the rotor body (12) simplifies the isolation and/or purification process, and the longer usable path for separating samples leads to improved separation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining a target nucleic acid sequence, where the target nucleic acid sequence is comprised in a preparation comprising a non-target nucleic acid sequence, the target nucleic acid sequence and the non-target nucleic acid sequence each having a first region of common sequence upstream of a first region of dissimilar sequence upstream of a second region of dissimilar sequence, and includes the steps of contacting the preparation with an oligonucleotide primer complementary to at least a portion of the first region of common sequence, under conditions to hybridise the primer thereto; contacting the preparation with a first labelled nucleotide bearing a first label, wherein the first labelled nucleotide is complementary to a first template nucleotide comprised in the first region of dissimilar sequence of either the target nucleic acid sequence or the non-target nucleic acid sequence, under conditions to incorporate the first labelled nucleotide either into the primer hybridised to t

Abstract: The present invention involves a process for the isolation of nucleic acids on surfaces by means of at least the following steps: charging of a surface from a given direction with nucleic acids; immobilization of the nucleic acids on the surface; release of the immobilized nucleic acids from the surface; and removal of the released nucleic acids essentially in the direction of charging. Preferably the loading takes place from the top.

Abstract: A method for suspending or re-suspending magnetically attractable particles is provided. In the present method at least a mixing vessel (10) is provided filled at least partially with a mixture (30) containing magnetically attractable particles (40) at least partially precipitated at the bottom (11) of the mixing vessel (10). An effective magnetic field acting at least in the front end area (3) of the mixing bar (1) is switched on by the magnetic field generating apparatus (4) while the mixing bar (1) is immersed in the mixture (30). Subsequently, the magnetic field is moved away from the bottom (11) of the mixing vessel (10) along with the mixing bar, whereby the movement of the magnetic field along with the mixing bar is carried out such that at least a part of the magnetically attractable particles (40) is raised from the bottom (11) of the mixing vessel (10) and the portion of the particles sticking to the bar is minimized.

Abstract: A diagnostic reagent in the form of a composition dimensionally stable under standard conditions, comprising bioparticles and also customary pharmaceutical excipients, wherein the bioparticles are selected from the group consisting of bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, bacteriophages, yeasts, spores, parasites, plant cells, animal or human cells, gametes, plasmids, and viroids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for enriching nucleic acids with a length of not more than 300 nucleotides. The invention also relates to a kit for enriching nucleic acids with a length of not more than 300 nucleotides, to the use of such a kit, to the use of an anion exchange matrix and to a method for treating a disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of an application buffer for the purification of proteins by means of immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) under denaturing conditions, which is characterized in that a defined amount of a buffer concentrate having a defined pH value is mixed with a defined amount of a urea concentrate, whereby an application buffer having a defined pH value is provided. According to the invention, a corresponding kit is provided in addition. The components are stable in storage and by mixing produce an application buffer having a defined composition and a defined pH value. The need for pH adjustment or a new preparation is eliminated. The invention can thus be used in an automated manner and as a closed kit concept.

Abstract: A system (10) for removing a pipettable substance from a pre-filled container (20), which is closed off by a top (30) having at least one opening area (40), comprises an opening tool (100) having a tube (110), which has a cross-section corresponding substantially to the shape of the opening area and which comprises at a distal end (120) an endpiece (140) extending substantially obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube, which moves a part of the top (30) located inside the opening area (40) towards the container when the opening tool is applied, so as to form an opening in the top, and a point of attack (150) for a transporting tool (200). The opening tool (100) is designed to remain on the container (20) after use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and kits for isolating and/or purifying nucleic acids, in particular, short-chain nucleic acids, from a nucleic acid containing starting material, characterised by the following method steps: (a) bonding the nucleic acids to a nucleic acid bonding support material, wherein the starting material is brought into contact with the nucleic acid bonding support material in the presence of at least one chaotropic compound and preferably isopropanol, wherein the isopropanol is present in a concentration of ?25% (v/v) and ?35% (v/v), (b) optional elution of the bonded nucleic acids from the nucleic acid bonding support material. Said method is particularly suitable for the purification of foetal DNA from maternal blood.