Abstract: A method of determining of the presence or absence of a target RNA component in a sample, the method comprising steps of: (a) contacting the sample with a composition comprising (i) a quaternary ammonium compound or a precursor thereof, which should extract/release the nucleic acid from the sample; (b) optionally storing and/or transporting the composition obtained in step (a); (c) contacting the composition obtained in step (a) with a composition comprising a proteinaceous washing agent, e.g. BSA or casein for stabilizing the RNA for transport and/or storage; and (d) using the composition obtained in step (c) in an amplification method, e.g. RT-PCR.

Abstract: A method of extracting DNA and/or RNA from a cell or capsid, the method comprising steps of: (a) contacting a composition comprising the cell or capsid with a composition comprising (ii) a quaternary ammonium compound or a precursor thereof; and (b) contacting the composition obtained in step (a) with a composition comprising a proteinaceous washing agent.

Abstract: A method (e.g. high resolution melting analysis) of determining of the presence or absence of a target nucleic acid in a sample, e.g. a biological sample, the method comprising steps of:?(a) contacting the sample with a composition comprising?(i) a quaternary ammonium compound, e.g. 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl-dimethyl octadecyl ammonium chloride (3-TPAC) or a precursor thereof, in order to release the nucleic acids from said sample; and?(b) contacting the sample with a probe which is capable of interacting with the nucleic acid sequence; and?(c) observing and/or measuring a property of the sample, e.g. fluorescence from a dsDNA binding dye.

Abstract: A method of extracting DNA and/or RNA from a cell or capsid, the method comprising steps of: (a) contacting a composition comprising the cell or capsid with a composition comprising (ii) a quaternary ammonium compound or a precursor thereof; and (b) contacting the composition obtained in step (a) with a composition comprising a proteinaceous washing agent.

Abstract: A method of stabilising genetic material in a sample, the method comprising steps of: (a) contacting the sample with a composition comprising a quaternary ammonium compound or a precursor thereof.

Abstract: A method (e.g. high resolution melting analysis) of determining of the presence or absence of a target nucleic acid in a sample, e.g. a biological sample, the method comprising steps of:?(a) contacting the sample with a composition comprising?(i) a quaternary ammonium compound, e.g. 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl-dimethyl octadecyl ammonium chloride (3-TPAC) or a precursor thereof, in order to release the nucleic acids from said sample; and?(b) contacting the sample with a probe which is capable of inter-acting with the nucleic acid sequence; and?(c) observing and/or measuring a property of the sample, e.g. fluorescence from a dsDNA binding dye.

Abstract: A method of determining of the presence or absence of a target RNA component in a sample, the method comprising steps of: (a) contacting the sample with a composition comprising (i) a quaternary ammonium compound or a precursor thereof, which should extract/release the nucleic acid from the sample; (b) optionally storing and/or transporting the composition obtained in step (a); (c) contacting the composition obtained in step (a) with a composition comprising a proteinaceous washing agent, e.g. BSA or casein for stabilizing the RNA for transport and/or storage; and (d) using the composition obtained in step (c) in an amplification method, e.g. RT-PCR.