Abstract: The invention provides methods for determining the mutation burden of a tumor by assaying tumor DNA that is representative of genetic loci that are themselves representative of genetics of the tumor. The assayed tumor DNA may be itself agnostic as to loci, so long as it is representative of loci that are representative of tumor mutation burden. The invention provides for assays in which the tumor DNA being sequenced or tested can be something other than, and possibly less than, a full panel of oncogenes that is expected to stand for a tumor's mutational load.

Abstract: Methods for detecting rare mutations in DNA include obtaining a sample comprising a target nucleic acid, binding a protein to the target nucleic acid in a sequence-specific manner, digesting non-target nucleic acid in the sample, and detecting the target nucleic acid. The method may include amplifying the target nucleic acid with at least one primer with, e.g., a phosphorothioate bond that is resistant to degredation by a nuclease to yield an amplicon that includes a copy of the target nucleic acid and a terminal portion that is resistant to degredation by the nuclease. Preferably digesting the non-target nucleic acid includes exposing amplicons to the nuclease. The nuclease digests the non-target nucleic acid while the amplicon that includes the copy of the target nucleic acid is protected by the terminal portions and the bound protein.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for capturing cfDNA directly from plasma or serum samples, without the need for certain complex sample preparation steps, using sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins such as Cas endonuclease to bind target nucleic acid sequences. The Cas proteins along with their sequence-specific guide RNAs may be introduced directly into blood, plasma, or serum, where the Cas proteins bind to ends of a target nucleic acid. The target nucleic acid is thus isolated or enriched in a sequence-specific manner. The target nucleic acid may then be subject to any suitable detection or analysis assay such as amplification or sequencing. The target nucleic acid may be enriched by digesting other, unbound nucleic acids present in the sample with exonuclease. The bound Cas proteins prevent exonuclease from digesting the target nucleic acid, thereby leaving the only the target nucleic acid substantially present in the sample.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of selectively protecting nucleic acids of interest in a sample from damage that occurs during preparative procedures. The methods include binding proteins to ends and to one or more internal regions of a segment of the nucleic acid of interest so that damage to exposed regions of the segment does not lead to degradation of the entire segment.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for detecting small mutations and structural alterations in DNA by using binding proteins to protect those features while digesting unprotected DNA in a sample. To detect small mutations, a protein that binds exclusively to the mutation of interest, and not to wild-type, is used. For structural alterations, binding proteins are used that flank a breakpoint of the alteration. After digestion of unbound, unprotected nucleic acid in the sample, the mutation- or breakpoint-containing segment remains as an isolated DNA fragment. The sample is then assayed to detect any fragment of DNA and the detection of the fragment indicates the presence of the mutation or breakpoint in the subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides biomarkers and methods for providing a clinical assessment of a subject. In particular, the present disclosure provides methods for measuring at least one biomarker to classifying a subject as being test negative, with a high negative predictive value, and recommending that test negative subject be excluded from treatment. The present disclose also provides methods for measuring at least one biomarker in a subject not excluded from treatment and classifying a subject as being test positive, with a high positive predictive value, and recommending that test positive subject receive treatment.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to compositions and methods for targeted delivery of a Cas endonuclease or nucleic acid encoding a Cas endonuclease to a fusion sequence in a cancer cell but not in a healthy cell of a subject. The Cas endonuclease or nucleic acid encoding the Cas endonuclease may be complexed with a guide RNA complementary to a fusion sequence identified based on differences between a mutated sequence obtained from a cancer cell and a wild-type sequence obtained from a healthy cell of the subject. For example, the Cas endonuclease may be a Cas9 and cut DNA or a Cas13a and cut RNA. The Cas endonuclease complexes may induce cell death or cancerous cells or cause other beneficial effects.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of detecting nucleic acids. The nucleic acid of interest may be detected by using Cas endonuclease to degrade substantially all nucleic acid in a sample except for the nucleic acid of interest, leaving the nucleic acid of interest isolated and amenable to detection. In related methods, Cas endonuclease complexes are used to protect the nucleic acid of interest while unprotected nucleic acid is digested, e.g., by exonuclease, after which the isolated nucleic acid of interest is detected.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method of treating a sample comprising cells with a process of partial lysing. Cells are exposed to a process such as bead beating that lyses some cells in the mixture. The process generates a resultant sample mixture that is suitable for both cell morphology screening and genetic screening. A first portion of the partially lysed sample can be mounted on a slide and observed for atypical cells and cytologic abnormalities. A second portion of the partially lysed sample can be screened for genetic markers known to correlate with a risk of cervical cancer. The method is particularly useful for cervical screening, where a combination of cytology and genetic screening present a more complete picture of cervical health. The disclosed method streamlines the diagnostic process for protocols that require both types of assays, without compromising screening accuracy.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method of treating a sample comprising cells with a process of partial lysing. Cells are exposed to a process such as bead beating that lyses some cells in the mixture. The process generates a resultant sample mixture that is suitable for both cell morphology screening and genetic screening. A first portion of the partially lysed sample can be mounted on a slide and observed for atypical cells and cytologic abnormalities. A second portion of the partially lysed sample can be screened for genetic markers known to correlate with a risk of cervical cancer. The method is particularly useful for cervical screening, where a combination of cytology and genetic screening present a more complete picture of cervical health. The disclosed method streamlines the diagnostic process for protocols that require both types of assays, without compromising screening accuracy.

Abstract: Methods for capturing and characterizing low frequency nucleic acid molecules indicative of diseases such as cancer (e.g. adenomas or early stage cancers) are provided. In some aspects, a low complexity capture technique is combined with a high complexity analytical technique. In some aspects, samples may be analyzed using a digital analysis and/or a single molecule sequencing technique.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method of treating a sample comprising cells with a process of partial lysing. Cells are exposed to a process such as bead beating that lyses some cells in the mixture. The process generates a resultant sample mixture that is suitable for both cell morphology screening and genetic screening. A first portion of the partially lysed sample can be mounted on a slide and observed for atypical cells and cytologic abnormalities. A second portion of the partially lysed sample can be screened for genetic markers known to correlate with a risk of cervical cancer. Surprisingly the presence of beads in the mixture from the partial lysing process does not interfere with slide processing or cellular analysis. The method is particularly useful for cervical screening, where a combination of cytology and genetic screening present a more complete picture of cervical health.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for detecting and monitoring diseases associated with genetic abnormalities in a subject.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for detecting and monitoring diseases associated with genetic abnormalities in a subject.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for detecting a target nucleic acid and a target protein in a single assay.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to compositions and methods for targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to cancerous and pre-cancerous cells, thereby treating a cancer in a subject.

Abstract: The non-invasive methods described herein generally relates to methods of detecting bladder cancer or bladder cancer recurrence. The methods involve identifying a cutoff level for a protein biomarker parameter to provide a predetermined sensitivity for an assay, in which the measured biomarker parameter values below a defined cutoff level is indicative of the absence of cancer and measured biomarker parameter values above a defined cutoff level are indicative of the presence of cancer. The method can also involve establishing a cutoff level for two or more nucleic acid markers in which the nucleic acid markers increase the specificity of the assay without decreasing the sensitivity of the assay, and in which the cutoff level is indicative of the absence of cancer.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to compositions and methods for targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to cancerous and pre-cancerous cells, thereby treating a cancer in a subject.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for detecting a target nucleic acid and a target protein in a single assay.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for detecting a target nucleic acid and a target protein in a single assay.