Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to clinical triage protocols for screening a patient population using virtual imaging techniques, for example, virtual colonoscopy. Methods for increasing the specificity of a virtual imaging procedure are provided. In aspects of the invention, colonic effluents are analyzed using one or more molecular detection assays.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for detecting disease by analysis of a patient sample to determine the integrity of nucleic acids in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining the status of an H. pylori infection by detecting a high-integrity H. pylori nucleic acid in a patient sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for detecting disease by analysis of a patient sample to determine the integrity of nucleic acids in the sample.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for screening tissue or body fluid samples for nucleic acid indicia of cancer or precancer.

Abstract: Improved methods for the separation, isolation, enrichment, or detection of target molecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins, within dilute or heterogeneous samples, such as bodily fluids, excreta or tissue samples, are disclosed. The methods include repetitively and rapidly passing a sample across at least one region of a conduit in which at least one region includes a binding partner specific for the target molecule. In certain methods, at least one other region includes binding partners specific for non-target molecules. The sample may be passed over the binding partner in the same direction if the conduit is a loop or in an antiparallel direction (i.e., back and forth over the binding partner). In an embodiment, the sample is electrophoresed through or over an electrophoretic medium, in which at least one region includes a binding partner for the target molecule. The invention also provides apparatus and sample preparation systems adapted for use in the methods.