Abstract: The invention comprises a method of determining the fraction of fetal DNA in maternal blood or plasma using HLA locus wherein the maternal and fetal HLA alleles are detected and quantified by clonal or digital methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to means and methods for the identification of non-responders to a HER2 inhibitor, whereby one or more mutations in exon 9 of Phosphoinositol-3 kinase (PIK3CA) indicate non-responsiveness.

Abstract: The invention is a method of detecting or assessing solid organ graft (transplant) rejection by detecting donor-specific HLA alleles in a blood sample of a graft (transplant) recipient. The invention further comprises a method of detecting the presence of maternal cells in a blood sample of an offspring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of detecting the presence or absence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in a sample, the method comprising performing an amplifying step, a hybridizing step and a detecting step. Furthermore, the present invention relates to primers, probes and kits for the detection of MRSA.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery of an association between the SNP genotype at the rs12979860 locus in the IL28B gene promoter and the probability of achieving a SVR in HC V-infected patients that are given a triple therapy treatment that contains peginterferon alfa-2a, ribavirin, and a HCV NS5B polymerase inhibitor.

Abstract: A method of interaction between an automated analytical apparatus for performing an analytical process and a user is disclosed comprising displaying all features necessary for performing the analytical process on a display which is mounted on the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for continuous loading of consumables into an analyzer comprising a stacker unit which can be uncoupled from the transport system for transporting the consumables from the stacker to the analytical modules and within and/or between the analytical modules.

Abstract: The invention provides methods to detect group B streptococcus (GBS) in biological samples using real-time PCR. Primers and probes for the detection of GBS are provided by the invention. Articles of manufacture containing such primers and probes for detecting GBS are further provided by the invention.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the quantification of a target nucleic acid in a sample comprising the following steps: (i) determination of the amplification efficiency of the target nucleic acid under defined amplification conditions, (ii) amplification of the target nucleic acid contained in the sample under the same defined reaction conditions, (iii) measuring the amplification in real-time, (iv) quantification of the original amount of target nucleic acid in the sample by correction of the original amount derived from step (iii) with the aid of the determined amplification efficiency. The efficiency correction of PCR reactions according to the invention for the quantification of nucleic acids can be used for absolute quantification with the aid of an external or internal standard as well as for relative quantification compared to the expression of housekeeping genes.

Abstract: Modified thermostable DNA polymerases having enhanced efficiency for incorporating unconventional nucleotides such as those labeled with fluorescein family dyes are advantageous in many in vitro DNA synthesis applications. Such enzymes are particularly useful for use in chain termination nucleic acid sequencing protocols, as are native forms of such enzymes. Genes encoding the modified enzymes and methods for their production and use offer cost and efficiency advantages for DNA sequencing.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for HCV typing, e.g., genotyping and/or subtyping. The compositions and methods of the invention can be used to assign an HCV isolate to one of at least five HCV genotypes (for example, selected from genotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6), or assign an HCV isolate to one of at least six subtypes (for example, selected from subtypes 1a/b/c, 2a/c, 2b, 3a, 4a, 5a or 6a), where the methods of the invention use only a single typing probe to make the HCV type assignment.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the analysis of a (at least one) target non-proteinaceous component of a mixture of non-proteinaceous and proteinaceous components derived from a biological sample using a protease from a Bacillus strain. The invention further relates to a method for the analysis of a (at least one) target nucleic acid component of a mixture of non-proteinaceous components, which comprise nucleic acids, and proteinaceous components whereby the mixture is derived from a biological sample comprising the steps of incubating the mixture with a (at least one) protease from a Bacillus strain, optionally amplifying the (at least one) target nucleic acid component, and determining or detecting the (at least one) target nucleic acid component.

Abstract: Mutant, chimeric thermostable DNA polymerases are provided, along with purified DNA sequences that encode the enzymes. Also provided are methods for producing and using the enzymes.

Abstract: A process of detecting a target nucleic acid using labeled oligonucleotides uses the 5′ to 3′ nuclease activity of a nucleic acid polymerase to cleave annealed labeled oligonucleotide from hybridized duplexes and release labeled oligonucleotide fragments for detection. This process is easily incorporated into a PCR amplification assay.