Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for toxicological diagnosis. A DNA sample is taken from an organism or a cell culture, which has previously been subjected to a specific substance that is to be investigated for its toxicological effect. The DNA contained in this sample is chemically pretreated and the base sequence of a part of the modified DNA is determined. A methylation state characteristic for the sample or a characteristic methylation pattern is concluded from this. The effect of a substance on the organism or the cell culture is concluded by comparison with data of the methylation states of other samples and/or compared with other substances from a toxicological point of view.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the chemically modified genomic sequences of genes associated with cell cycle, to oligonucleotides and/or PNA-oligomers for detecting the cytosine methylation state of genes associated with cell cycle which are directed against the sequence, as well as to a method for ascertaining genetic and/or epigenetic parameters of genes associated with cell cycle.

Abstract: This invention is related to methods, systems and computer program products for determining the biological effect and/or activity of drugs, chemical substances and/or pharmaceutical compositions using their effect on DNA-methylation as a marker for their biological effect(s). The invention is further related to the use of the inventive methods, systems and computer program products in obtaining new biologically active compounds which can be used as so-called “lead”-compounds for new and effective medicaments and treatment strategies of, in particular, human diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the chemically modified genomic sequences of genes associated with pharmacogenomics, to oligonucleotides and/or PNA-oligomers for detecting the cytosine methylation state of genes associated with pharmacogenomics which are directed against the sequence, as well as to a method for ascertaining genetic and/or epigenetic parameters of genes associated with pharmacogenomics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for withdrawing biological samples. The device has a receptacle which can receive one or several covers for sample containers, another receptacle which can receive one or several sample containers, and a mechanism. Said mechanism joins the covers and containers together during a working cycle in which the biological sample is withdrawn either through the cover or the sample container to a test capsule.

Abstract: A genomic analysis process is disclosed, in particular for analysing and localising hereditary properties in the genome. This process has applications in a large number of fields, in particular in medicine, agriculture, forensic medicine and fundamental research. This genomic analysis process is characterised in that the amplification products of microsatellites form genomic DNA samples are immobilised. The genomic DNA samples are separated on defined positions of the matrix, before or after being amplified into individual microsatellite markers, the individual positions are evaporated in a mass spectrometer and their molecular weight is determined.

Abstract: The present invention describes nucleic acids for the diagnosis of a set of genetic parameters within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), comprising a segment that is inversely complementary or identical to a chemically pretreated genomic DNA and that is at least 20 base pairs long as well as a set of oligomer probes (oligonucleotides and/or PNA oligomers), which serve for the detection of the cytosine methylation state in nucleic acids. These probes are particularly suitable for the diagnosis of genetic parameters within the MHC.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the chemically modified genomic sequences of genes associated with apoptosis, to oligonucleotides and/or PNA-oligomers for detecting the cytosine methylation state of genes associated with apoptosis which are directed against the sequence, as well as to a method for ascertaining genetic and/or epigenetic parameters of genes associated with apoptosis.

Abstract: Described is a method for detecting 5-methylcytosine in genomic DNA samples. First, a genomic DNA from a DNA sample is chemically converted with a reagent, 5-methylcytosine and cytosine reacting differently, and the pretreated DNA is subsequently amplified using a polymerase and at least one primer. In the next step, the amplified genomic DNA is hybridized to at least one oligonucleotide, forming a duplex, and said oligonucleotide is elongated by at least one nucleotide, the nucleotide carrying a detectable label, and the elongation depending on the methylation status of the specific cytosine in the genomic DNA sample. In the next step, the elongated oligonucleotides are analyzed for the presence of the label.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the chemically modified genomic sequences of genes associated with metastasis, to oligonucleotides and/or PNA-oligomers for detecting the cytosine methylation state of genes associated with metastasis which are directed against the sequence, as well as to a method for ascertaining genetic and/or epigenetic parameters of genes associated with metastasis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the chemically modified genomic sequences of genes associated with DNA transcription to oligonucleotides and/or PNA-oligomers for detecting the cytosine methylation state of genes associated with DNA transcription which are directed against the sequence as well as to a method for ascertaining genetic and/or epigenetic parameters of genes associated with DNA transcription.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chemically modified genomic sequences of genes associated with the immune system, to oligonucleotides and/or PNA-oligomers directed against the sequence, for the detection of the methylation status of genes, associated with the immune system as well as to a method for ascertaining genetic and/or epigentic parametres of genes, associated with the immune system.

Abstract: Described is a method for detecting 5-methylcytosine in genomic DNA samples. First, a genomic DNA from a DNA sample is chemically converted with a reagent, 5-methylcytosine and cytosine reacting differently, and the pretreated DNA is subsequently amplified using a polymerase and at least one primer. In the next step, the amplified genomic DNA is hybridized to at least one oligonucleotide, forming a duplex, and said oligonucleotide is elongated by at least one nucleotide, the nucleotide carrying a detectable label, and the elongation depending on the methylation status of the specific cytosine in the genomic DNA sample. In the next step, the elongated oligonucleotides are analyzed for the presence of the label.

Abstract: Described is a method for detecting 5-methylcytosine in genomic DNA samples. First, a genomic DNA from a DNA sample is chemically converted with a reagent, 5-methylcytosine and cytosine reacting differently, and the pretreated DNA is subsequently amplified using a polymerase and at least one primer. In the next step, the amplified genomic DNA is hybridized to at least two oligonucleotides, the latter being joined by inserting at least one oligonucleotide. In the ligation product, one nucleotide carries a detectable label, and the elongation depends on the methylation status of the specific cytosine in the genomic DNA sample. In the next step, the elongated oligonucleotides are analyzed for the presence of the label.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the detection of cytosine methylation in DNA samples, wherein the following steps are conducted: (a) a genomic DNA sample, which comprises the DNA to be investigated and background DNA, is chemically treated in such a way that all of the unmethylated cytosine bases are converted to uracil, whereas the 5-methylcytosine bases remain unchanged; (b) the chemically treated DNA sample is amplified with the use of at least 1 primer oligonucleotide as well as a polymerase, whereby the DNA to be investigated is preferred as the template over the background DNA, and (c) the amplified products are analyzed and the methylation status in the DNA to be investigated is concluded from the presence of an amplified product and/or from the analysis of additional positions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the chemically modified genomic sequences of genes associated with gene regulation, to oligonucleotides and/or PNA-oligomers for detecting the cytosine methylation state of genes associated with gene regulation which are directed against the sequence, as well as to a method for ascertaining genetic and/or epigenetic parameters of genes associated with gene regulation.

Abstract: This invention concerns systems for collecting and storing epigenetic and phenotypic information about samples in order to measure and analyse tissue samples and/or cell lines, where the epigenetic parameter is DNA methylation and the phenotypic parameters describe an individual. The method includes parameters such as the diagnosis of diseases and/or drug resistance, wherein the correlation of the epigenetic with the phenotypic parameters is done substantially without human intervention.

Abstract: A method for the development of gene panels for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes comprising the steps of: (a) isolating at least one biological sample from each of at least two groups of biological material containing mRNA and/or proteins; (b) analyzing the expression level of at least one gene in the at least one biological sample; (c) selecting the gene(s) exhibiting a different expression level between the at least two groups of biological material, whereby a first knowledge base is generated; (d) analyzing the level of cytosine methylation in the methylation relevant regions of at least one gene of at least one of the biological samples of step (a), wherein the gene is selected on the basis of the first knowledge base; (e) selecting the gene(s) exhibiting a different level of cytosine methylation between the at least two groups of biological material, whereby a second knowledge base is generated; and (f) adding selected genes from the second knowledge base to a gene panel.

Abstract: Method for characterizing, classifying and differentiating tissues and cell types, for predicting the behavior of tissues and groups of cells, and for identifying genes with changed expression. The method involves obtaining genomic DNA from a tissue sample, the genomic DNA subsequently being subjected to shearing, cleaved by means of a restriction endonuclease or not treated by either one of these methods. The base cytosine, but not 5-methylcytosine, from the thus-obtained genomic DNA is then converted into uracil by treatment with a bisulfite solution. Fractions of the thus-treated genomic DNA are then amplified using either very short or degenerated oligonucleotides or oligonuclcotides which are complementary to adaptor oligonucleotides that have been ligated to the ends of the cleaved DNA.