Abstract: The present invention generally relates to gene silencing using sense DNA (sDNA)-antisense RNA (aRNA) hybrids wherein the sense DNA strand is coupled to a peptide which facilitates the uptake of the hybrid into cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultraphobic surface structure, especially a microtitre plate and a method for the production thereof which is provided with a plurality of hydrophilic areas which are preferably distributed on the surface in a periodic manner.

Abstract: Double-stranded short interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) are modified to reduce or eliminate their immunostimulatory effect without significantly affecting their gene silencing effect. Modified siRNA include one or more 2? sugar modifications and, optionally, internucleotide linkages on the sense strand. Compositions containing the modified siRNA and methods of making and using the modified siRNA are disclosed. New and previously characterized siRNA can be synthesized to incorporate modifications according to the invention.

Abstract: Device for sample processing, particularly sample conditioning as well as for the preparation and/or optionally for implementing a sequential process for an analyte from a biological sample, said device comprising a module for receiving and/or outputting at least one sample vessel or process vessel, a module for transporting a process vessel, a module for sample conditioning and a module for initiating a sequential process for an analyte. The modules are divided into at least two units that each possesses a control system, and which are connected through a first data bus.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for activating a nucleic acid for a polymerase reaction with the steps: (a) Heating a nucleic acid to a temperature of 55° C. to 80° C., (b) cooling the nucleic acid to a temperature at which a polymerase shows no substantial decrease in activity, and (c) starting the polymerase reaction by the addition of a heat-labile polymerase to the nucleic acid.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polymer magnetic particles, which comprises: providing a water phase containing magnetic components homogeneously dispersed therein, wherein the water phase is contacted with or further contains a polymerisable metal-containing or organic monomer which is soluble in the water phase, and polymerizing the monomer in the presence of the magnetic components so as to form polymer magnetic particles in which the magnetic components are substantially uniformly distributed; wherein at least a part of the polymerizing step is carried out in a water-in-oil emulsion in which the water phase containing the magnetic components homogenously dispersed therein is present as a discontinuous phase in a continuous oil phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a holder for a MALDI chip, having a broken corner contour, comprising a first and second respectively accessible bearing surface and a moveable fixing means which interacts with the broken corner contour and which pre-tenses the MALDI chip against the bearing surfaces. The invention also relates to a MALDI chip and a system consisting of the holder and the MALDI chip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating a fixed biological sample, comprising the steps of the method: i) provision of a fixed biological sample, ii) contacting the fixed biological sample with an aqueous solution comprising at least one nucleophilic reagent, and iii) heating the biological sample contacted with the aqueous solution. The invention also relates to the biological sample obtainable by this method, to the use of a nucleophilic reagent for the treatment of a fixed biological sample, to a kit for isolating a biomolecule from a fixed biological sample, to the use of this kit, and to a method for the treatment of a disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for isolating total nucleic acid from a nucleic acid-containing sample and a kit for carrying out said process. More specifically, it relates to the isolation of RNA from a nucleic-acid containing sample.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for detecting small quantities of analytes such as proteins and peptides. The method involves associating a DNA circle with the analyte and subsequent release and rolling circle replication of the circular DNA molecule. In the method, an amplification target circle is associated with analytes using a conjugate of the circle and a specific binding molecule that is specific for the analyte to be detected. Amplification target circles not associated with the proteins are removed, the amplification target circles that are associated with the proteins are decoupled from the specific binding molecule and amplified by rolling circle amplification. The amplification is isothermic and can result in the production of a large amount of nucleic acid from each primer. The amplified DNA serves as a readily detectable signal for the analytes.

Abstract: The invention relates to composition or a kit containing an enzyme that is reversibly inhibited by means of a chemical modification and an enzyme which is reversibly inhibited using non-covalent binding, the use of a mixture of enzymes reversibly inhibited in such a manner for processing or multiplying polynucleotides, and a method for specifically amplifying DNA by simultaneously using both types of reversibly inhibited enzymes.

Abstract: A process for isolating nucleic acid from a nucleic acid-containing sample, which comprises: (a) providing a chaotrope; (b) providing a nucleic acid binding solid phase capable of binding nucleic acid in the presence of the chaotrope; (c) providing a source of NH4+ or NH3; (d) contacting the sample with the nucleic acid binding solid phase in the presence of a liquid phase comprising the chaotrope and the NH4+ or NH3; and (e) optionally separating the solid phase with the nucleic acid bound thereto from the liquid phase.

Abstract: A process for the depletion or removal of endotoxins from preparations containing active ingredients designated for therapeutical use which are obtained from natural sources by genetic engineering and/or biotechnology by treatment with chromatographic material wherein said natural sources are lysed, the fractions obtained are optionally centrifuged, filtrated or treated with affinity chromatographic methods; said fractions are preincubated with an aqueous salt solution and detergents, treated with anion exchange material and then washed with another salt solution, and the active ingredients are eluted from the anion exchanger, followed by further purification in a per se known manner.

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: A customer requests a price quote for certain goods or services. The requisite information is entered into a customer relationship management (CRM) software application, which is capable of sending a price quote to the customer. The CRM application is provisioned with a feature that creates an e-mail containing a weblink to an electronic shopping basket, along with other information pertaining to the price quote. Once finalized, the e-mail is sent to the customer who had requested the price quote. If the customer then activates the weblink, the web site application displays the electronic shopping cart to the customer, and gives the customer the opportunity to conclude the sale. This makes it easy for the customer to purchase the goods or services in the shopping cart, without further the delay. For the vendor, it increases the likelihood of converting a price quote into a sale.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for sequence-specific isolation of polynucleotide molecules from nucleic acid populations and subsequent amplification of isolated polynucleotide molecules or fragments thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for isolating nucleic acids, particularly genomic desoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from blood.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for incorporation of a biomolecule into a cell including the method steps: i) production of a complex from a biomolecule, preferably a nucleic acid and a polymer which may be obtained by reaction of an amine monomer having at least two amine groups with an epoxide monomer having at least two epoxide groups and ii) incorporation of the biomolecule into a cell bx bringing the cell into contact with the complex. The invention further relates to the transformed cell obtained by said method, the use of a particular polymer for incorporation of a biomolecule into a cell, a kit for incorporation of a biomolecule into a cell, the use of said kit, a complex made from a biomolecule and a polymer, a therapeutic composition, the use of a complex of a biomolecule and a polymer for therapeutic treatment of the human or animal being and a method for treatment of a disease by means of gene therapy.

Abstract: A method for determining a target nucleic acid sequence, wherein 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, the method comprising: (a) 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; (b) 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 the ta

Abstract: The present invention provides copolymers that facilitate nucleic acid analysis, compositions that comprise such copolymers, and methods for making or using such copolymers.