Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of one or more amplicons as temperature calibrators. In some embodiments, the calibrators may be used to calibrate the temperature of a microfluidic channel in which amplification and/or melt analysis is performed. In some embodiments, the amplicons may be genomic, ultra conserved elements and/or synthetic. The amplicon(s) may have a known or expected melt temperature(s). The calibrators may be added to primers of study or may follow or lead the primers of study in the channel. The amplicon(s) may be amplified and melted, and the temperature(s) at which the amplicon(s) melted may be determined. The measured temperature(s) may be compared to the known temperature(s) at which the amplicon(s) was expected to melt. The difference(s) between the measured and expected temperatures may be used to calibrate/adjust one or more temperature control elements used to control and/or detect the temperature of the channel.

Abstract: A MNase-Sequence Capture method, mTSS-seq, was developed herein to map genome-wide nucleosome distribution in cancer, for example primary human lung and colon adenocarcinoma tissue. Here, it was confirmed that nucleosome redistribution is an early, widespread event in lung adenocarcinoma (LAC) and colon adenocarcinoma (CRC). These altered nucleosome architectures are consistent between LAC and CRC patient samples indicating that they can serve as important early adenocarcinoma markers. As such, this consistency would be expected in other adenocarcinomas, as well as other carcinomas. It was demonstrated that the nucleosome alterations are driven by the underlying DNA sequence and potentiate transcription factor binding. DNA-directed nucleosome redistributions are widespread early in cancer progression, thus providing a methodology for early detection of cancer in grade one patients.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide: a novel method for detecting a target nucleic acid; and a kit for use in the method. In the detection method according to the present invention, a fluorophore-labeled primer/probe and a quencher-labeled probe, which have complementarity to each other, are so designed as to have different melting temperatures (Tm) from each other so that the fluorophore-labeled primer can anneal preferentially to the target nucleic acid. The detection method is so designed that the fluorophore-labeled primer/probe that is not bound to the target nucleic acid is bound to the quenching probe so as to emit no fluorescence. The method enables the detection of the target nucleic acid in a simpler manner, at lower cost, and without requiring the use of any technique or device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new method of sequencing a double stranded target polynucleotide. The two strands of the double stranded target polynucleotide are linked by a bridging moiety. The two strands of the target polynucleotide are separated using a polynucleotide binding protein and the target polynucleotide is sequenced using a transmembrane pore.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, apparatuses and methods for detecting one or more nucleic acid targets present in a sample. Methods of the invention include utilizing two or more oligonucleotide probes that reversibly bind a target nucleic acid in close proximity to each other and possess complementary reactive ligation moieties. When such probes have bound to the target in the proper orientation, they are able to undergo a spontaneous chemical ligation reaction that yields a ligated oligonucleotide product. In accordance with the invention, the presence of the target(s) of interest can be determined by measuring the presence or amount of ligated oligonucleotide product.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of patterning cells on a surface of a substrate. The methods include disposing a pattern of nucleic acids on a surface of a substrate, and contacting the patterned nucleic acids under hybridization conditions with a first suspension of cells, where cells of the first suspension include cell surface-attached nucleic acids complementary to the patterned nucleic acids, and where the cell surface-attached nucleic acids hybridize to the patterned nucleic acids to pattern the cells on the surface of the substrate. Systems and kits for practicing the methods are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new method of determining in a sample the presence or absence of one or more analyte members of a group of two or more analytes. The invention therefore relates to a multiplex assay for determining the presence or absence of each analyte in a group of multiple analytes. The assay uses aptamers and transmembrane pores.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to compositions and methods for providing DNA fragments from a remote sample. In particular aspects a remote sample comprising DNA is provided, DNA is isolated from the remote sample, and the isolated DNA is treated in a way which allows differentiation of methylated and unmethylated cytosine. Additional, particular embodiments provide compositions and methods for methylation analysis of DNA derived from a remote sample. Other aspects provide for compositions and methods of whole genome amplification of bisulfite treated DNA. Other aspects provide methods for determining the presence or absence of methylation of at least one cytosine, or a series of cytosines in cis, in human DNA of a blood sample, a plasma sample, a serum sample or a urine sample from a human individual.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the detection of oligonucleotides using anion exchange high performance liquid chromatography. Fluorescently labelled peptide nucleic acid oligomers, complementary to the oligonucleotide are hybridized to the oligonucleotides. Anion exchange high performance liquid chromatography is then performed and the hybridized moieties detected and quantitated. The invention also relates to a method for the simultaneous detection of both strands of an oligonucleotide in parallel from one sample, and a kit for use in qualitative and quantitative detection of one or two strands of an oligonucleotide.

Abstract: Disclosed are: a nucleotide sequence and an amino acid sequence for CDR3 region of T-cell receptor (TCR) gene of WT1-specific cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) for WT1 protein; a method for the detection or treatment of cancer using the nucleotide sequence or the amino acid sequence; and a chip, a primer set, a kit, an apparatus and the like for use in the detection of cancer, each of which comprises the nucleotide sequence or the amino acid sequence.

Abstract: A solution for extracting substantially pure RNA from a biological sample is disclosed. The solution for extracting RNA from a biological sample containing RNA and at least DNA comprises: (a) phenol in an amount of more than 50% by volume based on the total amount of the solution; (b) a polyol in an amount of 3 to 10% by volume based on the total amount of the solution; (c) a guanidinium salt at a concentration of 0.5 to 2.0 M based on the total amount of the solution; (d) a thiocyanate at a concentration of 0.1 to 0.5 M based on the total amount of the solution; and (e) a buffer for maintaining the pH of the solution at 4 to 6.

Abstract: A method for assessing risk of losing a transplanted organ by a patient having an episode of acute rejection of the transplanted organ is described. The method includes obtaining from the patient a cell sample from the transplanted organ or peripheral blood, determining a level of FOXP3 in the cell sample, and correlating the level with the risk of loss of the transplanted organ, wherein, compared to a control level, a significantly greater level of FOXP3 in the cell sample from the transplanted organ or a significantly lower level of FOXP3 in the cell sample from the peripheral blood correlates with a decreased risk of loss of the transplanted organ.

Abstract: A method of nucleic acid sequencing. The method can include the steps of (a) providing a polymerase tethered to a solid support charge sensor; (b) providing one or more nucleotides, whereby the presence of the nucleotide can be detected by the charge sensor; and (c) detecting incorporation of the nucleotide into a nascent strand complementary to a template nucleic acid.

Abstract: The invention involves the synthesis of nucleic acid structures of controlled size and shape and comprised of a plurality of oligonucleotides. The structures are formed, at least in part, by the self-assembly of single-stranded oligonucleotides. The location of each oligonucleotide in the resultant structure is known. Accordingly, the structures may be modified with specificity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of one or more amplicons as temperature calibrators. In some embodiments, the calibrators may be used to calibrate the temperature of a microfluidic channel in which amplification and/or melt analysis is performed. In some embodiments, the amplicons may be genomic, ultra conserved elements and/or synthetic. The amplicon(s) may have a known or expected melt temperature(s). The calibrators may be added to primers of study or may follow or lead the primers of study in the channel. The amplicon(s) may be amplified and melted, and the temperature(s) at which the amplicon(s) melted may be determined. The measured temperature(s) may be compared to the known temperature(s) at which the amplicon(s) was expected to melt. The difference(s) between the measured and expected temperatures may be used to calibrate/adjust one or more temperature control elements used to control and/or detect the temperature of the channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy for cellular sample analysis. In some embodiments a method of performing mass spectroscopy analysis using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy system is provided. The method may include introducing a cellular sample comprising one or more cells or cellular particles into an inductively coupled plasma of the inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy system. The method may further include using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy system to assess the cellular sample by detecting and measuring one or more element tags in the cellular sample based on the element or isotopic compositions of the one or more element tags.

Abstract: A fluidic chip includes at least one nanochannel array, the nanochannel array including a surface having a nanofluidic area formed in the material of the surface; a microfluidic area on said surface; a gradient interface area having a gradual elevation of height linking the microfluidic area and the nanofluidic area; and a sample reservoir capable of receiving a fluid in fluid communication with the microfluidic area. In another embodiment, a fluidic chip includes at least one nanochannel array, the nanochannel array includes a surface having a nanofluidic area formed in the material of the surface; a microfluidic area on said surface; and a gradient interface area linking the microfluidic area and the nanofluidic area, where the gradient interface area comprises a plurality of gradient structures, and the lateral spacing distance between said gradient structures decreases towards said nanofluidic area; and a sample reservoir capable of receiving a fluid in fluid communication with the microfluidic area.

Abstract: Methods of characterizing a test subject's risk of having or developing cardiovascular disease are provided. The methods include using an analytic device to determine levels of choline-related trimethylamine-containing compounds such as trimethylamine N-oxide, choline, or betaine in a biological sample obtained from the subject and comparing the levels of the choline-related trimethylamine-containing compound in the subject's biological sample to a control value. The test subject's risk of having cardiovascular disease is then characterized as higher if the levels of the choline-related trimethylamine-containing compound are higher than the control value. Also provided are methods of identifying a subject at risk of experiencing a complication of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and methods of evaluating the efficacy of a cardiovascular therapeutic agent in a subject with cardiovascular disease using levels of choline-related trimethylamine-containing compounds.

Abstract: A method of nucleic acid sequencing. The method can include the steps of (a) providing a polymerase tethered to a solid support charge sensor; (b) providing one or more nucleotides, whereby the presence of the nucleotide can be detected by the charge sensor; and (c) detecting incorporation of the nucleotide into a nascent strand complementary to a template nucleic acid.

Abstract: Related to is the field of nucleic acid testing, and in particular, a test kit or a method for testing a target nucleic acid in a sample. The test kit comprises therein a hybridization solution, which contains therein a non-ionic surfactant, a cationic polymer, and a buffer solution having a pH value in the range from 6.5 to 8.5. The test kit can further comprise therein a Tris-HCl color developing solution having a pH value in the range from 9.0 to 10.0 and containing a C8-C18 alkylglucoside. Testing target nucleic acid in a sample using the test kit has the advantages of short time consumption, easy operation, high throughput, and low costs.