Abstract: A polynucleotide comprising at least the final six nucleotides of one of the following primer sequences, or a sequence complementary thereto: SEQ. ID NOS. 3 to 16, 18, 20 to 33, 35 or 37 to 39. A method of detecting the presence or absence of a mutation in the PIK3CA gene, wherein the mutation is one of H1047R, H1047L, E542K and E545K, and preferably ARMS primers are combined with Scorpion primers.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method of quantitating or detecting a microorganism, capable of detecting a live microorganism at high sensitivity and more precisely. A method of quantitating a microorganism of interest, using as an index the amount of rRNA of the microorganism of interest is provided.

Abstract: Methods for the detection of components from biological samples are provided. In certain aspects, the methods may be used to detect and/or quantify specific components in a biological sample, such as tumor cells (e.g., circulating tumor cells). Systems and devices for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides for compositions for use in real time nucleic acid detection processes. Such real time nucleic acid detection processes are carried out with energy transfer elements attached to nucleic acid primers, nucleotides, nucleic acid probes or nucleic acid binding agents. Real time nucleic acid detection allows for the qualitative or quantitative detection or determination of single-stranded or double-stranded nucleic acids of interest in a sample. Other processes are provided by this invention including processes for removing a portion of a homopolymeric sequence, e.g., poly A sequence or tail, from an analyte or library of analytes. Compositions useful in carrying out such removal processes are also described and provided. Paneling and multiplex analyses of more than one nucleic acid analyte using one sample are also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides for compositions for use in real time nucleic acid detection processes. Such real time nucleic acid detection processes are carried out with energy transfer elements attached to nucleic acid primers, nucleotides, nucleic acid probes or nucleic acid binding agents. Real time nucleic acid detection allows for the qualitative or quantitative detection or determination of single-stranded or double-stranded nucleic acids of interest in a sample. Other processes are provided by this invention including processes for removing a portion of a homopolymeric sequence, e.g., poly A sequence or tail, from an analyte or library of analytes. Compositions useful in carrying out such removal processes are also described and provided.

Abstract: An application of thiolated single-stranded DNA enhances specific amplification of polymerase chain reaction, namely a method for enhancing specific amplification of polymerase chain reaction by utilizing thiolated single-stranded DNA, which includes the following step: adding an appropriate amount of the thiolated single-stranded DNA into a PCR system to perform PCR amplification, wherein the appropriate amount means that the final concentration of the thiolated single-stranded DNA in a 20 ?L reaction system is not less than 15 ?M. The thiolated single-stranded DNA meets the following conditions: the thiolated single-stranded DNA is one segment of any sequence which is non-complementary and non-homologous to a target sequence; the Tm value is not less than 37.7° C.; and at least one end contains a thiolalkyl group SH—C6H12—.

Abstract: A cartridge that can be positioned inside an air collection component and receive a component for recovering nucleic acids is described, the cartridge being substantially cylindrical and containing a microorganism retaining zone, the retaining zone containing a microorganism lysis mechanism. Also described is a device for collecting microorganisms contained in the air and a device for microorganism lysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides for novel methods and compositions for nucleic acid sequence detection. Unique, identifying cleavage fragments from probes, bound to target nucleic acids, are produced during PCR by the 5?-nuclease activity of the polymerase. The identity of the targets can be determined by identifying the unique cleavage fragments.

Abstract: This invention provides a single process that collects any and all target nucleic acids from a sample that can contain any of a number of biological species, including bacteria, viruses, or fungi, where the first step renders the sample nonhazardous and releases nucleic acids from cell structures, compartments, and molecular complexes that may hold them, the second step concentrates the target nucleic acids from even very highly dilute states, in the third step releases these in a form that, following dilution, makes them compatible with processes that amplify nucleic acids, both standard PCR as well as isothermal amplification protocols. The pre-amplification process involves ammonia solutions no more toxic than those found in the commercial product Windex, requires no electrical power, requires materials no more complex than water desalinization resin and salt, and can be used by inexperienced individuals.

Abstract: Provided herein are mutant endonuclease V enzymes that are capable of nicking an inosine-containing DNA sequence. Nucleic acid assays and agents that employ such mutant endonuclease V enzymes to introduce a nick into a target DNA including one or more inosine, and uses a DNA polymerase to generate amplicons of a target DNA are also described.

Abstract: The present invention features novel, diverse, hybrid and engineered recombinase enzymes, and the utility of such proteins with associated recombination factors for carrying out DNA amplification assays. The present invention also features different recombinase ‘systems’ having distinct biochemical activities in DNA amplification assays, and differing requirements for loading factors, single-stranded DNA binding proteins (SSBs), and the quantity of crowding agent employed.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a method for capturing a genomic fragment. The method may comprise: obtaining a substrate comprising a first population of surface-bound oligonucleotides and a second population of surface-bound oligonucleotides; hybridizing a first member of the first population of surface-bound oligonucleotides to a selection oligonucleotide comprising a region that hybridizes with the first member and a region that contains a genomic sequence; extending the first member of the first population of surface-bound oligonucleotides to produce a support-bound selection primer that comprises a sequence that is complementary to the genomic sequence; hybridizing the support-bound selection primer to a nucleic acid fragment comprising the genomic sequence; extending the support-bound selection primer to produce an extension product that contains a sequence that flanks the genomic sequence, e.g., in a genome; and amplifying the extension product on the substrate.

Abstract: Methods of detecting and amplifying short RNAs are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for testing a human for aneuploidy. In some aspects, a plurality of chromosomal sequences in a DNA sample from a human are amplified with a single pair of primers complementary to said chromosomal sequences to form a plurality of amplicons, wherein the plurality of amplicons are not identical, and wherein the plurality of amplicons include sequences on a query chromosome and sequences on a plurality of reference chromosomes. In some aspects, reactions are performed to determine the nucleotide sequence of at least 3 nucleotides of the plurality of amplicons. In some aspects, amplicon nucleotide sequences are matched in silico to genomic sequences at genomic loci. In some aspects, numbers of matching amplicons at individual genomic loci are counted. In some aspects, numbers of amplicons matched to genomic loci on the query chromosome are compared to numbers of amplicons matched to genomic loci on the reference chromosomes.

Abstract: Devices, containers, and methods are provided for performing biological analysis in a closed environment. Illustrative biological analyzes include high density nucleic acid amplification and detection and immune-PCR.

Abstract: Disclosed are diagnostic methods for determining a subtype of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a biological sample of a mammal. Methods include providing a biological sample of the mammal, performing a PCR analysis of the biological sample, and analyzing the PCR amplicons with respect to their sizes so as to determine for type I, type II, type III, type IV or type V MRSA that may be present in the biological sample. Further example embodiments include using at least one mecA primer pair and/or using at least one Staphylococcus aureus nuc primer pair in the PCR analysis. Further disclosed are methods for screening populations for MRSA, and methods of treating a mammal testing positive for Type IV MRSA. Also disclosed are kits for determining a MRSA subtype in a mammal and isolated primers that may be used in the present methods and kits.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods, and systems performing such methods for processing signal data from analytical operations and systems, and particularly in processing signal data from sequence-by-incorporation processes to identify nucleotide sequences of template nucleic acids and larger nucleic acid molecules, e.g., genomes or fragments thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for detecting target nucleic acid sequences with diagnostic probes including first and second probe regions that are substantially complementary to first and second target regions respectively on a target nucleic acid strand wherein the first probe region is located 5? to the second probe region. The first probe region is substantially complementary to the first target region, on the target nucleic acid strand, which also includes a second target region, wherein when the first target region is contiguous with the second target region on the target nucleic acid strand, then the first and second probe regions on the diagnostic probe are separated by a spacer region of nucleic acid.

Abstract: Methods for making eDNA molecules, for amplification of RNA by PCR and for preparation of cDNA libraries are provided. Kits for making eDNA molecules also are provided. Compositions are also provided comprising mixtures of reagents, including reverse transcriptases, buffers, cofactors and other components, suitable for immediate use in conversion of RNA into eDNA and RT PCR without dilution or addition of further components. These compositions are useful, alone or in the form of kits, for eDNA synthesis or nucleic acid amplification (e.g., by the Polymerase Chain Reaction) or for any procedure utilizing reverse transcriptases in a variety of research, medical, diagnostic, forensic and agricultural applications.

Abstract: DNA is sequenced by (a) independently sequencing first and second strands of a dsDNA to obtain corresponding first and second sequences; and (b) combining the first and second sequences to generate a consensus sequence of the dsDNA. By independently sequencing first and second strands the error probability of the consensus sequence approximates a multiplication of those of the first and second sequences.