Abstract: A sample collection device suitable for low-volume extraction includes a substantially tubular collection vessel having a closed end, an open end, and one or more sidewalls defining a vessel chamber having a vessel volume. The device further includes a swab for sample collection. The swab formed with a substantially closed-celled polymer foam head and the swab is configured for insertion into the collection vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of a method for the preparation of nucleic acid samples, including the steps of adding at least one non-specific thermophilic enzyme to a sample containing nucleic acid for testing, and incubating said sample for a preferred period at 65-80° C. as required to effect one or more of lysis of cells, digestion of proteins, digestion of cell-wall enzymes, via activity of said thermophilic enzyme, wherein said thermophilic enzyme is substantially stable and active at 65-80° C. but which is readily autolysed and/or denatured when said sample is incubated at or above 90° C.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and probes for rapid, single temperature (isothermal) detection of specific nucleic acid sequences. The methods and probes provide a simple method for detecting bioagents including bacteria and viruses, and the detection of specific genetic markers on any nucleic sequence.

Abstract: A sample collection device suitable for low-volume extraction includes a substantially tubular collection vessel having a closed end, an open end, and one or more sidewalls defining a vessel chamber having a vessel volume. The device further includes a swab for sample collection. The swab formed with a substantially closed-celled polymer foam head and the swab is configured for insertion into the collection vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and probes for rapid, single temperature (isothermal) detection of specific nucleic acid sequences. The methods and probes provide an easily automatable system for detecting bioagents including bacteria and viruses, and the detection of specific genetic markers on any nucleic sequence.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method that utilizes thermophilic proteases for the treatment of nucleic acids in a closed-system to be used in tandem with methods for the rapid detection of target nucleic acids present in a sample. These combined methods enable simplified, temperature-controlled devices to be used for accurate, streamline testing at the point of care for a wide variety of applications in the medical, industrial, environmental, quality control, security and research fields.

Abstract: Methods for detecting and identifying known and unknown bioagents, particularly bacteria, by nucleic acid amplification and amplicon size determination are provided. Nucleic acid amplification utilises multiple primers which hybridize to conserved bioagent ribosomal sequence regions and which bracket variable bioagent ribosomal sequence regions to produce multiple amplicons that uniquely identify the bioagent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of a method for the preparation of nucleic acid samples, including the steps of adding at least one non-specific thermophilic enzyme to a sample containing nucleic acid for testing, and incubating said sample for a preferred period at 65-80° C. as required to effect one or more of lysis of cells, digestion of proteins, digestion of cell-wall enzymes, via activity of said thermophilic enzyme, wherein said thermophilic enzyme is substantially stable and active at 65-80° C. but which is readily autolysed and/or denatured when said sample is incubated at or above 90° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermostable proteinases from thermophilic Bacillus species and their uses in the preparation of nucleic acid samples. The enzymes of the invention are stable and active at 65-80° C., but are readily autolysed or denatured above 90° C.