Abstract: Devices and methods for preparing RNA and DNA from single cells are disclosed. In particular, the invention relates to a method of simultaneously extracting RNA and DNA from single cells and separating the nucleic acids electrophoretically. An electric field is used to lyse a single target cell, such that the plasma membrane is selectively disrupted without lysing the nuclear membrane. Cytoplasmic RNA is separated from the nucleus by performing isotachophoresis (ITP) in the presence of a sieving matrix that preferentially reduces the mobility of the nucleus. During ITP, the cytoplasmic RNA accumulates at an ITP interface between leading and trailing electrolytes and can later be extracted free of nuclear DNA. The method can be performed in a microfluidic device that fully automates all steps of the process.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to method, system and apparatus for synthesizing a target polynucleotide within a droplet. In an exemplary embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of synthesizing a target polynucleotide. The method includes the steps of: contacting a polynucleotide-containing component from a sample with lysis reagents in a droplet, the lysis reagents comprising an enzyme having protease activity, wherein the droplet is encapsulated with an immiscible carrier fluid; moving the droplet into a collection reservoir; incubating the droplet in the collection reservoir for a first duration and then inactivating the enzyme having protease activity; adding to the droplet a nucleic acid synthesis reagent to form a nucleic acid synthesis droplet in the immiscible carrier fluid to form a nucleic acid droplet; and synthesizing the target polynucleotide within the nucleic acid synthesis droplet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for enrichment or isolation of a long nucleotide fragment comprising a known nucleotide sequence element, i.e. a sequence encoding a conserved active site or domain, the method being applicable i.a. to high throughput screening for DNA fragments containing a known sequence element. The methods include, inter alia, steps of providing a liquid sample of mixed DNA molecules comprising one or more specific target DNA molecules, formation of a multiple of liquid droplets, specific detection of droplets containing at least one of the target DNA molecules, physically selecting droplets containing at least one of the target DNA molecules, and general amplification of the DNA molecules in the coalesced selected droplets.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, compositions, and systems for distributing polymerase compositions into array regions. In particular, the described methods, compositions, and systems utilize density differentials and/or additives to increase efficiency in the distribution of polymerase compositions to a surface as compared to methods utilizing only diffusion control.

Abstract: Various methods and devices for spatial molecular analysis from tissue is provided. For example, a method of spatially mapping a tissue sample is provided with a microarray having a plurality of wells, wherein adjacent wells are separated by a shearing surface; overlaying said microarray with a tissue sample; applying a deformable substrate to an upper surface of said tissue sample; applying a force to the deformable substrate, thereby forcing underlying tissue sample into the plurality of wells; shearing the tissue sample along the shearing surface into a plurality of tissue sample islands, with each unique tissue sample island positioned in a unique well; and imaging or quantifying said plurality of tissue sample islands, thereby generating a spatial map of said tissue sample. The imaging and/or quantifying may use a nucleic acid amplification technique.

Abstract: Colorimetry is used to detect amplification reaction products. A sample is contacted with a reaction mix under conditions such that an amplification reaction occurs and produces an amplification reaction product if the sample contains a target nucleic acid template molecule. The reaction mix includes an enzyme for catalyzing the amplification reaction, and at least one halochromic agent. If the target nucleic acid template molecule is present, the amplification reaction changes the starting pH of the reaction mix to cause a detectable colorimetric change of the halochromic agent, thereby indicating the presence of the target nucleic acid. If the target nucleic acid template molecule is not present, the amplification reaction does not generate an adequate number of protons to sufficiently change the starting pH of the reaction mix to cause a detectable colorimetric change of the halochromic agent, thereby indicating that the amplification reaction product has not been produced.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for the detection of rare mutations and copy number variations in cell free polynucleotides. Generally, the systems and methods comprise sample preparation, or the extraction and isolation of cell free polynucleotide sequences from a bodily fluid; subsequent sequencing of cell free polynucleotides by techniques known in the art; and application of bioinformatics tools to detect rare mutations and copy number variations as compared to a reference. The systems and methods also may contain a database or collection of different rare mutations or copy number variation profiles of different diseases, to be used as additional references in aiding detection of rare mutations, copy number variation profiling or general genetic profiling of a disease.

Abstract: Disclosed is a kit for detecting drug resistance of cetuximab in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. The kit comprises a substance used for detecting gene mutations in Exon 19 of the PIK3CA gene, and may further comprise a specification recording the following contents: if Exon 19 in the PIK3CA gene of a patient with metastatic colorectal cancer as a subject to be tested, who is intended to receive cetuximab treatment or is receiving cetuximab treatment and does not have drug resistance, has at least one of K944N, F930S, V955G, V955I, and K966E mutations, the subject to be tested will develop drug resistance or will be a candidate to develop drug resistance when receiving or continuing to receive cetuximab for treating metastatic colorectal cancer.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for the detection of silent carriers of chromosomal deletion alleles in a human subject using haploid cells (e.g., sperm cells or egg cells) derived from the subject. The methods provided herein allow for the detection of silent (2+0) carriers of SMA, where the individual has a deletion of the SMN1 gene on one chromosome 5 homolog and two or more copies of the SMN1 gene on the other chromosome 5 homolog.

Abstract: A method for preserving and processing cell-free nucleic acids located within a blood sample is disclosed, wherein a blood sample containing cell-free nucleic acids is treated to reduce both blood cell lysis and nuclease activity within the blood sample. The treatment of the sample aids in increasing the amount of cell-free nucleic acids that can be identified and tested while maintaining the structure and integrity of the nucleic acids.

Abstract: An ex vivo method and a kit for predicting the response to a treatment with glucocorticoids (GC) in patients affected by inflammatory diseases, based on quantification of fold change ratio in GR isoform levels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining integrity and/or quantity of cell free DNA (cfDNA) in a bio logical sample comprising amplifying target sequences with at least a first primer/probe set and at least a second primer probe/set, amplifying the target sequences of differing lengths, and monitoring for detection of the labels of the oligonucleotide probes, and determining the integrity and/or quantity of the cfDNA based on the level of detection of the label of the oligonucleotide probe from the first primer/probe set compared to the level detection of the label of the oligonucleotide probe from the second primer/probe set. The present invention also provides methods for generating a library with the cfDNA for sequencing and analysis.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for isolating RNA from whole urine and urine fractions for the diagnosis of prostate cancer and/or benign prostate hyperplasia. An exemplary method for diagnosing prostate cancer in an individual, said method comprises: (a) determining the amount of RNA encoding one or more diagnostic genes in the soluble urine fraction of a urine sample obtained from said individual; (b) comparing the amount of said RNA to a reference value for said one or more diagnostic genes, wherein said reference value is derived from the amount of RNA encoding said one or more diagnostic genes in one or more individuals that do not have prostate cancer; and (c) diagnosing said individual as having prostate cancer when the amount of said RNA is greater than said reference value.

Abstract: A method for detecting and characterizing a microorganism in a clinical sample includes introducing a clinical sample to a first culture vessel containing the culture medium; removing a test aliquot; separating DNA from the test aliquot; and performing nucleic acid tests on the DNA to identify the microorganism and to detect the presence or absence of one or more genetic antimicrobial resistance markers in the microorganism. If a microorganism is identified, an antimicrobial susceptibility test is performed wherein microbial growth in the antimicrobial susceptibility test is monitored by accessing growth or markers for growth and wherein the type and concentration of antimicrobial agents used in the antimicrobial susceptibility test is determined by the identity of the microorganism and the antimicrobial resistance markers detected. A device for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of determining the presence or absence of a plurality of target polynucleotides in a sample including combining a sample that may comprise one or more of the plurality of target polynucleotides with a plurality of sets of complementary polynucleotides; incubating the polynucleotides under conditions that allow hybridization of complementary sequences; joining the first and second complementary polynucleotides to form one or more product polynucleotides; and detecting the presence or absence of one or more product polynucleotides to determine the presence or absence of one or more of the plurality of target polynucleotides in the sample.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods, kits, and compositions to amplify sample DNA of low quantity by adding an amount of buffer DNA before amplification. The method protects the sample DNA against degradation and PCR bias. The method disclosed herein are useful to amplify DNA of low amount, such as genomic DNA from a single cell and therefore are especially useful for genetic diagnostic tests and precision medicine.

Abstract: A method for extracting a nucleic acid from a sample liquid comprises providing a heating element and providing an extraction nucleic acid that is bound to the heating element and/or providing the extraction nucleic acid such that the extraction nucleic acid binds to the heating element. The extraction nucleic acid is at least partly complementary to the nucleic acid. The method further comprises bringing the heating element into contact with the sample liquid such that the nucleic acid at least partly binds to the extraction nucleic acid, and separating the heating element from the sample liquid such that the nucleic acid bound to the extraction nucleic acid remains at the heating element. Additionally, the method comprises bringing the heating element into contact with a reaction solution, and heating the heating element to at least a denaturing temperature of the nucleic acid.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods for capturing and amplifying target polynucleotides on a solid surface, in particular in a well in a microarray, wherein the microarray may comprise a) a substrate comprising at least one well, a surface surrounding the well and an inner well surface; b) a first layer covering the inner well surface and comprising at least one first capture primer pair; and c) a second layer covering the first layer and the surface surrounding the well.

Abstract: A method for amplification of nucleic acids in which substantially use is made of the fact that a pre-defined nucleic acid chain (target sequence) can be multiplied/amplified in the presence of a target sequence-specific activator oligonucleotide. The target sequence-specific activator oligonucleotide causes the separation of re-synthesized complementary primer extension products by strand displacement, so that a new primer oligonucleotide can attach to the respective template strand. The thus formed complex of a primer oligonucleotide and a template strand can initiate a new primer extension reaction. The thus formed primer extension products in turn function as templates, so that an exponential amplification reaction results.

Abstract: A method includes providing a biological sample, providing a sample collection device, wherein the sample collection device includes a sample binding surface including a photodegradable polymer configured to bind the biological sample, contacting the biological sample with the sample binding surface of the sample collection device, and irradiating the sample binding surface and the bound biological sample using light emitted from a light source to initiate degradation of the photodegradable polymer of the sample binding surface to cause release of the biological sample.