Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of stabilizing a biological sample, having the steps of preparation of a biological sample, and of contacting the biological sample with a composition, having a substance according to the following structural formula: in which R1 is a hydrogen residue or a methyl residue, R2 and R3 are identical or different hydrocarbon residues with a length of the carbon chain of 1-20, and R4 is an oxygen, sulfur or selenium residue (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polymer magnetic particles, which comprises: providing polymer particles having a porous interior, and contacting the polymer particles with a magnetic fluid comprising a homogeneous dispersion of magnetic particles, whereby the magnetic particles are incorporated into the porous interior to produce polymer magnetic particles.

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 the use of reagent for permanently inactivating nucleases wherein the reagent comprises an oxidizing agent, a protein denaturant and optionally a pH adjustor and to a method for permanently inactivating nucleases using said reagent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of a biological material, comprising the steps i) providing a biological material, and ii) contacting the biological material with a first non-aqueous composition comprising: (a1) 10 to 90 vol. % methanol, and (a2) at least one additional additive, and (a3) optionally an acid. iii) transferring the biological material into a second composition (B) comprising up to 99 vol. % ethanol as well as to a new composition for preservation of a biological material usable in said method and the biological material resulting from this method, a method for the analysis of a treated biological material, various kits as well as the use of the composition in such a method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for performing a nucleic acid preparation and/or amplification. For the implementation of the method, a flexible tube is provided, which is always sealed below and hence at one end during the implementation of the sample preparation and/or amplification. In this tube, a biological sample is prepared and/or amplified. The use of only one tube is very economical. The tube is a disposable item which after a preparation or amplification can with its contents be disposed of environmentally correctly. Since moreover the tube has only to be filled with sample substances and reagents at a given time and manipulated, the method can also be simply and economically performed automatically.

Abstract: The invention relates, for example, to methods for preparing a plant or animal sample for processing, i.e. for example for the isolation of nucleic acids or proteins from the sample, as well as to a pulverizer.

Abstract: The invention pertains to different methods employing the use of a polynucleotide comprising ribose rings which carry a modification at the 2?-OH group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the purification of biomolecules, in particular of nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA molecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition for inhibiting the expression of a target gene in a eukaryotic cell by RNA interference, the composition comprising a genetic construct and the target gene being introduced into the eukaryotic cell by means of said construct, and the construct having a first target gene and a first siRNA tag. The invention also relates to a composition for inhibiting the expression of one or more target genes in a eukaryotic cell by RNA interference. The composition comprises at least two genetic constructs and the target genes are introduced into the eukaryotic cell by means of said constructs, a) the first construct containing a first target gene and a first siRNA tag and b) the second construct containing a second target gene and a second siRNA tag, and the first and the second siRNA tag having different nucleic acid sequences. The invention finally relates to a method for inhibiting the expression of a target gene in a eukaryotic cell.

Abstract: A transfection method of introducing sample molecules into cells is provided, comprising: (a) using a substrate comprising at least one sample spot area which is surrounded by an hydrophobic area; (b) wherein sample molecules are applied to said at least one sample spot area, thereby placing said sample molecules in the discrete location of said sample spot area; (c) applying cells to be transfected onto the substrate and incubation under appropriate conditions for entry of the sample molecules into said cells; (d) whereby at least a portion of said sample molecules are introduced into said cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new compositions for isolating and/or stabilizing nucleic acids in materials of biological origin. The compositions comprise as an essential ingredient a cationic compound of general formula Y+R1R2R3R4X? wherein Y may represent nitrogen or phosphorus R1, R2, R3 and R4 independently of one another may represent a branched or unbranched C1-C20-alkyl group and/or a C6-C20-aryl group as well as a C6-C26-aralkyl group and X? may represent an anion of an inorganic or organic, mono- or polybasic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of stabilizing and/or isolating nucleic acids, wherein a biological sample containing nucleic acids is contacted with a cationic compound. The invention also relates to said cationic compound per se and to the use of said cationic compound in stabilizing and/or isolating nucleic acids. Furthermore, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions, diagnostic compositions, and to compositions used in research, which include cationic compounds or a complex being formed upon contact of said cationic compound with a nucleic acid.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for isolating a target nucleic acid from a sample comprising said target nucleic acid, comprising the steps of mixing a sample containing said target nucleic acid with a binding solution and a nucleic acid binding matrix, binding at least part of said target nucleic acid to said nucleic acid binding matrix, wherein said nucleic acid binding matrix is treated simultaneously or has been previously treated with at least one compound comprising a metal substance selected from the group consisting of metals of the main groups 13 to 16, semimetals and transition metals for reducing non-target nucleic acid contaminations or wherein said nucleic acid binding matrix is modified with hydrophobic groups. Furthermore, respective kits and reagents are provided with the teaching of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting the methylation status in DNA samples. According to the invention, a DNA methyl transferase and a labeled S-adenosylmethionine derivative allow a detectable label to be covalently bonded to the DNA, in accordance with the respective methylation status of the DNA sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for purifying nucleic acids by negative chromatography is disclosed, which comprises a hollow body with an opening, respectively, at the top and at the bottom end, said hollow body containing a stationary solid phase, characterized in that the stationary phase contains at least 2 different chromatography resins, such as size e.g. exclusion gel filtration materials (SEC materials), as well as a method for purifying nucleic acids and the use of the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for selective, reversible adsorption of nucleic acids to a support material, which process is characterized in that (a) a nucleic acid-containing mixture having a cosmotropic salt content of at least 1 mole is contacted with said support material, whereupon the nucleic acid(s) is (are) adsorbed from said nucleic acid-containing mixture to said support material, and (b) the nucleic acid(s) bound to the support material is (are) detached from the support material by means of an aqueous solution having a salt content of no more than 1 mole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container for receiving a liquid biological sample, with a volume for receiving the liquid biological sample, and with a filling and/or removal opening for filling the volume with the sample and for removing the sample from the volume. The invention is distinguished in that a constriction or partition forming an aperture is arranged in the volume in order to partition off a predefined measured volume from the volume.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing RNA, in particular, a RNA reaction method and kits for carrying out said RNA reaction method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying a base at a target position in a sample nucleic acid sequence, said method comprising: subjecting a primer hybridised to said sample nucleic acid immediately adjacent to the target position, to a polymerase primer extension reaction in the presence of a nucleotide, whereby the nucleotide will only become incorporated if it is complementary to the base in the target position, and determining whether or not said nucleotide is incorporated by detecting whether PPi is released, the identity of the target base being determined from the identity of any nucleotide incorporated, wherein, where said nucleotide comprises an adenine base, an ?-thio triphosphate analogue of said nucleotide is used, ant the Rp isomer of said analogue and/or the degradation products of said analogue are eliminated from the polymerase reaction step.