Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for the continuous refining of particles of differing properties, the device comprising: a combination of upstream and downstream separation and concentration systems, each of the upstream and downstream separation and concentration systems comprising: a plate having opposing first and second sides, each of first and second sides having disposed thereon or therein first and second channels, respectively, the first and second channels being fluidly connected to one another by a plurality of apertures through the plate that allow fluid flow from the first to the second channel, and a plurality of pillars are disposed on the first side of the plate adjacent each aperture to prevent particles above a certain size passing through the aperture, the fluid flow direction along first and second channels during separation being approximately the same, and the plate has an outlet from the first channel downstream from the plurality of apertures on the first side of the plate, wherein the ups

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of quality control for cervical screening. In particular, a method for identification of subjects whose cervical cytological evaluation can be most effectively repeated is provided.

Abstract: An in vitro method is provided for screening human female subjects to assess their risk of developing cervical carcinoma which comprises screening the subject for expression of mRNA transcripts from the E6 and optionally the L1 gene of human papillomavirus, wherein subjects positive for expression of L1 and/or E6 mRNA are scored as being at risk of developing cervical carcinoma. Kits for carrying out such methods are also provided.

Abstract: An in vitro method is provided for screening human female subjects to assess their risk of developing cervical carcinoma which comprises screening the subject for expression of mRNA transcripts from the E6 and optionally the L1 gene of human papillomavirus, wherein subjects positive for expression of L1 and/or E6 mRNA are scored as being at risk of developing cervical carcinoma. Kits for carrying out such methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated lab-on-a-chip device for carrying out a nucleic acid extraction process on a fluid sample containing cells and/or particles, the device comprising: (a) a sample inlet (1) for loading of a fluid sample, (b) a lysis unit (4) for lysis of cells and/or particles present in the fluid sample, (c) a reservoir of lysis fluid (7) for the lysis unit, (d) a nucleic acid extraction unit (5) downstream of the lysis unit, and (e) reservoirs of first washing buffer and eluant fluid (8, 9, 10) for the nucleic acid extraction unit, wherein the device further comprises (f) a mixing unit (6) downstream of the nucleic acid extraction unit, and (g) a source of mixing fluid (11) for the mixing unit. The reservoirs of lysis fluid, first washing buffer and eluant fluid may be provided parallel to one anther so that they may be actuated by a single pump.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfabricated device for metering an analyte comprising a nucleic acid sequence into a plurality of parallel reaction chambers for nucleic acid sequence amplification. The present invention further provides a method of metering an analyte into a plurality of parallel reaction units of an integrated microfabricated device.

Abstract: The invention relates to in vitro methods of screening female human subjects for the presence of human papillo mavirus, for example as a marker of cervical epithelial precancer. In particular, the invention provides methods and apparatus which can be used to filter a patient data set of measurements related to multiple HPV types according to the geographical location of the patient under test, so that only those measurements of HPV types which are pre-determined to be relevant for the geographical region in which the patient under test is located are selected for output/display.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a “test and treat” method of screening and directly treating female subjects having transforming or abnormal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sensitive method for specific detection of ligands comprising the steps of (a) contacting the sample with reagents capable of forming a reagent complex, which reagent complex comprises a receptor capable of specifically binding to said ligand and a nucleic acid molecule; and (b) detecting any complexes formed by binding of the receptor part of said reagent complex to ligand present in the sample by specifically detecting the presence of the nucleic acid molecule by amplifying a region of the nucleic acid and simultaneously detecting products of the amplification reaction in real-time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfabricated reaction chamber system and a method of fluid transport. The system may be used, for example, in a method of carrying out a nucleic acid sequence amplification and detection process on a nucleic acid sample. The microfabricated chamber system comprises an inlet port and/or an outlet port and a variable volume chamber in fluid communication with said port(s), wherein altering the volume of the variable volume chamber effects and/or restricts flow of a fluid sample to and/or from said port(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to in vitro methods of screening human subjects for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) which exhibits loss of regulation of E6/E7 mRNA expression and loss of replication and/or expression of a stabilized pre-mRNA encoding full length E6 protein. In particular, the invention provides in vitro methods of screening for persistent transforming HPV infection equivalent to persistent cell abnormalities or persistent CIN III lesions, cancer in situ or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). The methods are useful in the context of cervical cancer screening.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated lab-on-a-chip device for carrying out a nucleic acid extraction process on a fluid sample containing cells and/or particles, the device comprising: (a) a sample inlet (1) for loading of a fluid sample, (b) a lysis unit (4) for lysis of cells and/or particles present in the fluid sample, (c) a reservoir of lysis fluid (7) for the lysis unit, (d) a nucleic acid extraction unit (5) downstream of the lysis unit, and (e) reservoirs of first washing buffer and eluant fluid (8, 9, 10) for the nucleic acid extraction unit, wherein the device further comprises (f) a mixing unit (6) downstream of the nucleic acid extraction unit, and (g) a source of mixing fluid (11) for the mixing unit. The reservoirs of lysis fluid, first washing buffer and eluant fluid may be provided parallel to one anther so that they may be actuated by a single pump.

Abstract: An in vitro method is provided for screening human female subjects to assess their risk of developing cervical carcinoma which comprises screening the subject for expression of mRNA transcripts from the E6 and optionally the L1 gene of human papillomavirus, wherein subjects positive for expression of L1 and/or E6 mRNA are scored as being at risk of developing cervical carcinoma. Kits for carrying out such methods are also provided.

Abstract: An in vitro method is provided for screening human female subjects to assess their risk of developing cervical carcinoma which comprises screening the subject for expression of mRNA transcripts from the E6 and optionally the L1 gene of human papillomavirus, wherein subjects positive for expression of L1 and/or E6 mRNA are scored as being at risk of developing cervical carcinoma. Kits for carrying out such methods are also provided.

Abstract: An in vitro method is provided for screening human female subjects to assess their risk of developing cervical carcinoma which comprises screening the subject for expression of mRNA transcripts from the E6 and optionally the L1 gene of human papillomavirus, wherein subjects positive for expression of L1 and/or E6 mRNA are scored as being at risk of developing cervical carcinoma. Kits for carrying out such methods are also provided.

Abstract: An in vitro method is provided for screening human female subjects to assess their risk of developing cervical carcinoma which comprises screening the subject for expression of mRNA transcripts from the E6 and optionally the L1 gene of human papillomavirus, wherein subjects positive for expression of L1 and/or E6 mRNA are scored as being at risk of developing cervical carcinoma. Kits for carrying out such methods are also provided.

Abstract: An integrated lab-on-a-chip device for carrying out an assay to detect the presence of a biological molecule in a fluid sample, the device comprising: (a) an inlet for a fluid sample; (b) one or more reaction sites each in fluid communication with the inlet; (c) one or more reagent reservoir systems each containing reagents required for an assay to detect a biological molecule, the reagents being arranged sequentially in each reservoir system in the order in which they are required for the assay and separated from one another by a fluid.

Abstract: An integrated lab-on-a-chip diagnostic system for carrying out a sample preparation process on a fluid sample containing cells and/or particles, the system comprising: (a) an inlet for a fluid sample; (b) a lysis unit for lysis of cells and/or particles contained in the fluid sample; (c) a nucleic acid extraction unit for extraction of nucleic acids from the cells and/or particles contained in the fluid sample; (d) a reservoir containing a lysis fluid; (e) a reservoir containing an eluent for removing nucleic acids collected in the nucleic acid extraction unit; wherein the sample inlet is in fluid communication with the lysis unit, an optional valve being present to control the flow of fluid therebetween; wherein the lysis unit is in fluid communication with the nucleic acid extraction unit, an optional valve being present to control the flow of fluid therebetween; wherein the reservoir containing the lysis fluid is in fluid communication with the lysis unit, an optional valve being present to control the flo

Abstract: The present invention relates to in vitro methods of screening human subjects for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) which exhibits loss of regulation of E6/E7 mRNA expression and loss of replication and/or expression of a stabilized pre-mRNA encoding full length E6 protein. In particular, the invention provides in vitro methods of screening for persistent cell abnormalities or persistent CIN III lesions, cancer in situ or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). The methods are useful in the context of cervical cancer screening.

Abstract: An oligonucleotide molecule for use in the detection of mRNA trancribed from the E6 gene of a human papillomavirus, the oligonucleotide comprising any one of sequence numbers 1-133.