Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting the presence of nucleic acid sequence variants in a subpopulation of nucleic acid molecules in a biological sample. These methods are particularly useful for identifying individuals with mutations indicative of cancer.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting the presence of nucleic acid sequence variants in a subpopulation of nucleic acid molecules in a biological sample. These methods are particularly useful for identifying individuals with mutations indicative of cancer.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting the presence of nucleic acid sequence variants in a subpopulation of nucleic acid molecules in a biological sample. These methods are particularly useful for identifying individuals with mutations indicative of cancer.

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.

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.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting the presence of nucleic acid sequence variants in a subpopulation of nucleic acid molecules in a biological sample. These methods are particularly useful for identifying individuals with mutations indicative of cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for automated sample processing. The invention comprises introducing a sample into a multistep dilution procedure at a step that is chosen based on the concentration of target analyte in the sample.