Abstract: Improved methods for use in nucleic acid amplification, including multiplex amplification, where the amplification is carried out in two or more distinct phases are disclosed. The first phase amplification reaction preferably lacks one or more components required for exponential amplification. The lacking component is subsequently provided in a second, third or further phase(s) of amplification, resulting in a rapid exponential amplification reaction. The multiphase protocol results in faster and more sensitive detection and lower variability at low analyte concentrations. Compositions for carrying out the claimed methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions, reaction mixtures, and methods for performing an amplification reaction, including multiplex amplification reaction, wherein the method comprises using one or more amplification oligomer complexes comprising linked first and second amplification oligomer members. In one aspect, the amplification oligomer complex is hybridized to a target nucleic acid, the target nucleic acid with hybridized amplification oligomer complex is then captured, and other components are washed away. Target sequences of the target nucleic acids are pre-amplified to generate a first amplification product. The first amplification product is amplified in one or more secondary amplification reactions to generate second amplification products.

Abstract: A method for amplifying and detecting microorganisms, such as species of Listeria, is described. The method utilizes gene-matched enrichment media and PCR-based detection. The enrichment media is spent media produced using a modified microorganism containing a plurality of mutations in a selected gene such that the modified microorganism does not contain the PCR signature. Thus, PCR detects only the amplified microorganism of interest, not the modified microorganism. Exemplary methods and kits for amplification and detection of Listeria species are described.

Abstract: Nucleic acid oligomers specific for human parvovirus genomic DNA are disclosed. An assay for amplifying and detecting human parvovirus genotypes 1, 2 and 3 nucleic acid in biological specimens is disclosed. Compositions for amplifying and detecting the presence of human parvovirus genotypes 1, 2 and 3 genomic DNA in human biological specimens are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions, methods and systems for sequencing a template nucleic acid using a polymerase based, nucleic acid binding reaction involving examination of the interaction between a polymerase and template nucleic acid in the presence of one or more unlabeled nucleotides. The methods rely, in part, on identifying a base of a template nucleic acid during nucleic acid synthesis by controlling the sequencing reaction conditions. Template nucleic acid bases may be identified during an examination step followed by an optional incorporation step.

Abstract: Here provided is a method for multiplex nucleic acid analysis. The method includes steps of hybridizing sets of probes to target nucleic acids in a sample, ligating the hybridized probes, amplifying the ligated probes, and assaying the amplification products to determining the presence, absence, or quantity of the target nucleic acids in the sample. The multiplexity is made available in part by adding detectable moieties and inserting stuffer sequences in primers so that amplification products may be identified on the basis of the detectable moieties and fragment sizes. Also provided is a sensitive method of detecting small copy number changes by measuring the copy number of a plurality of target sites in the nucleic acid in a test sample in comparison to a control sample and then determining the copy number of the nucleic acid based on the measured copy number of the plurality of target sites. Further provided is a kit for multiplex nucleic acid analysis and for small copy number change determination.

Abstract: The present invention is based on a detection method of the 9 KRAS mutations Gly12Ser, Gly12Arg, Gly12Cys, Gly12Asp, Gly12Ala, Gly12Val, Gly13Asp, Gln61His and Gln61Leu, in a sample susceptible of containing one or more of such mutations, based on amplification of the sample with the primers of the present invention. Further, the present invention relates to (i) a kit which comprises, amongst its components, reagents for ARMS amplification including one or more of the primers of the present invention; (ii) the primers themselves; and (iii) use of the method, kit and primers of above, for the diagnosis/prognosis of a pathological condition in a patient, particularly, of cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for pairwise sequencing of a double-stranded polynucleotide template, which methods result in the sequential determination of nucleotide sequences in two distinct and separate regions of the polynucleotide template.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and tools for discriminating between Vel negative and Vel positive phenotypes. The invention is thus useful for determining Vel blood group status of individuals about to receive blood transfusion.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for genetic analysis in individuals that reveals both the genetic sequences and chromosomal copy number of targeted and specific genomic loci in a single assay. The present invention further provide methods for the sensitive and specific detection of target gene sequences and gene expression profiles.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the identification of genetic-related information are provided. At least portions of methods provided herein may be performed without thermocycling. Methods and compositions may include reagents such as nucleic acid polymerases and primers.

Abstract: A method for the accurate quantification of a virus in a sample, by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), includes: adding a known concentration of a Mengo virus to the sample as control for the nucleic acids extraction step, the Mengo virus being a mutant strain with the same growth properties than those of the wild-type Mengo virus, and with non-pathogenic capacity; performing a nucleic acids extraction to obtain a nucleic acids suspension; analyzing the nucleic acids suspension by RT-PCR with primers and probes; quantifying the amplimers resulting from the RT-PCR; determining the concentration of the virus in the sample by comparison of the value obtained with an appropriate standard curve; and determining the concentration of the Mengo virus by comparison of the value obtained with an appropriate standard curve.

Abstract: Methods for rapidly detecting clinically relevant mutations in the infectious genome of an agent are disclosed. The methods include use of a novel target and temperature dependent RNase H mediated cleavage of blocked DNA primers to initiate isothermal helicase-dependent amplification of a target sequence such as a sequence in the the rpoB gene.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods for creating engineered templates that are useful for amplification of one or more antibody genes without the use of gene-specific primers. More specifically, templates engineered using these methods in a polymerase chain reaction setting which allows for the specific amplification of one or more antibody genes.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for lyophilizing integrated composition of pyrophosphorolysis activated polymerization (PAP) in an aqueous solution. It also provides lyophilized integrated PAP composition. Except for nucleic acid template, the integrated composition contains all components. For manipulation, simply add nucleic acid template in an aqueous solution to start amplification. In addition to the easy manipulation, the lyophilized integrated composition can be stored for prolonged period at ambiguous temperature.

Abstract: A method for generating a variant library of DNA sequences starting from at least one DNA starting sequence and including the steps: a) selecting at least two mutation sites in the starting sequence; b) dividing the DNA starting sequence into at least two sequence segments such that at least two of these sequence segments each contain at least one of the mutation sites; c) amplifying the sequence segments by polymerase chain reaction using at least five different oligonucleotides, where at (i) least one of the oligonucleotides can attach to each mutation site; (ii) at least two of the oligonucleotides can attach to at least one mutation site, and (iii) mutations are introduced, via mismatch positions, into the PCR amplificates by the oligonucleotides at the mutation sites where at least two mutations are introduced at at least one of the mutation sites; and d) linking the amplificates to give DNA sequences.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-primer amplification assay, method and kits for detecting Mycoplasma species and closely related species utilizing a plurality of oligonucleotide primers in contact with a sample in a single vessel and detecting the amplification product, wherein the presence of an amplification product indicates Mycoplasma in the sample.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for amplifying selected polynucleotides, including DNA and RNA, particularly in multiplex amplification reactions using common primers amplification. Generally, methods of the invention employ multiple steps such as template-specific hybridization, a linear amplification, partial degradation of nucleic acid, and ligation. At the end of the process the sequences of selected polynucleotides are flanked by the common sequences which can be used for exponential amplification using common primers. In some aspects the polynucleotides are associated with a barcode and the presence of the barcode is detected to measure the amount of the polynucleotide.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward devices, systems, and methods for purifying nucleic acids to conduct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. In one example, a method includes generating complexes of silica beads and nucleic acids in a lysis buffer, transporting the complexes through an immiscible fluid to remove interfering compounds from the complexes, further transporting the complexes into a density medium containing components required for PCR where the nucleic acids disassociate from the silica beads, and thermocycling the contents of the density medium to achieve PCR. Signal may be detected from labeling agents in the components required for PCR.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for detecting and/or quantifying vector backbone in a nucleic acid preparation comprising a polynucleotide of interest using amplification assays that amplify a junction located between the polynucleotide of interest and the vector backbone, under conditions whereby amplification can occur, wherein the junction comprises a recognition site for a nuclease, and detecting the absence of an amplification product, whereby the absence of the amplification product indicates low or no vector backbone and/or quantifying the amount of amplification product to determine the amount of vector backbone in the nucleic acid preparation.