Abstract: The present invention provides methods for enriching fetal nucleic acid in a biological sample from a maternal host. Also provided are methods for detecting the presence or absence of markers in fetal, tumor, or neoplastic nucleic acid. The methods can include treating the biological sample with DNase and, optionally, performing whole genome amplification on the treated samples. The biological sample can be, for example, a blood sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods for screening and identifying genomic sequences useful in estimating the risk of fetal aneuploidy, particularly trisomy 21. This disclosure also describes methods for utilizing such genomic sequences alone or to augment existing non-invasive diagnostics for Trisomy 21 and other aneuploidies.

Abstract: A non-invasive screening or diagnostic method for determining the likelihood of a fetus with a genetic abnormality or a potential pregnancy complication, which utilizes a liquid blood sample from a pregnant woman. Antibodies specific to a section of histone 3.1 which is exposed to a far greater extent in chromatin of fetal origin than in chromatin of maternal origin are used to sequester and isolate such fetal nucleosomes including the associated fetal DNA. Following isolation/enrichment of such fetal DNA, genetic analysis is carried out using known molecular diagnostics.