Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to enable simple design and change of a probe set that can be easily reused corresponding to a DNA microarray. A nucleic acid information processing device comprises: a storage unit that stores information on a plurality of base sequences; a threshold value receiving unit adapted to receive information that identifies a similarity threshold; a cluster configuration unit adapted to configure clusters by classifying the plurality of base sequences based on the similarity threshold; and a representative base sequence setting unit adapted to set one of the base sequences included in the cluster as a representative base sequence.

Abstract: A nucleic acid information processing device includes a storage unit that stores first base sequence information including information on a plurality of base sequences, and second base sequence information including information on a plurality of base sequences; a threshold value receiving unit adapted to receive information that identifies a similarity threshold; a hybridization unit adapted to identify a degree of similarity and a starting position and a finishing position of a similar portion for one to one combinations with the base sequences included in the first base sequence information as a target, and the base sequences included in the second base sequence information as a probe; and a similar base sequence counting unit adapted to count for each probe a number of the targets for which the identified degree of similarity is greater than or equal to the similarity threshold, and storing the count in the storage unit.

Abstract: The object is to provide a novel organism identification method which can be used as an alternative method to a conventional organism identification method which utilizes DNA and requires enormous labor. Developed is an organism identification method for determining whether or not an organism of interest is identical to a specific organism or a progeny thereof, which is characterized by introducing a DNA tag(s) in advance into a cell(s) of the specific organism, or a parasite or a symbiont with the specific organism, and determining whether or not the organism of interest is identical to the specific organism or a progenitor thereof based on the detection or non-detection of the DNA tag in DNA extracted from the organism of interest, or the parasite or the symbiont with the organism of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of testing whether a sequence of interest is contained in a sample nucleic acid or not, comprising performing a simple test on the sample nucleic acid and subjecting the same sample nucleic acid to a close examination when it has been judged that the sequence of interest is contained therein or when it has been judged that the sequence of interest is not contained therein; and a method of testing whether a sequence of interest is contained in a sample nucleic acid in more than a specific amount or not, comprising performing a simple quantitative test on the sample nucleic acid and subjecting the same sample nucleic acid to a close examination when it has been judged that the sequence of interest is contained therein in more than the specific amount. According to these methods, it becomes possible to examine individuals, species, habitats, etc. of organisms with much higher reliability than that in conventional techniques.

Abstract: There is provided a method for the detection of a base sequence of interest when amount of a sample DNA or RNA is little and plural base sequences of interest to be detected are present in the sample DNA or RNA. The Problem is solved by a method for the detection of an base sequence of interest in a sample DNA or RNA comprising the steps of (1) contacting a sample DNA or RNA to a probe DNAs or RNAs in an aqueous solution to form a hybridization complex; (2) isolating the hybridization complex; (3) dissociating the complex to recover the probe DNAs or RNAs; and (4) identifying the said probe DNAs or RNAs to detect an base sequence of interest in the sample DNA or RNA.

Abstract: There is provided a method for the detection of a base sequence of interest when amount of a sample DNA or RNA is little and plural base sequences of interest to be detected are present in the sample DNA or RNA. The Problem is solved by a method for the detection of an base sequence of interest in a sample DNA or RNA comprising the steps of (1) contacting a sample DNA or RNA to a probe DNAs or RNAs in an aqueous solution to form a hybridization complex; (2) isolating the hybridization complex; (3) dissociating the complex to recover the probe DNAs or RNAs; and (4) identifying the said probe DNAs or RNAs to detect an base sequence of interest in the sample DNA or RNA.

Abstract: The present invention aims at producing a biochip by an inkjet system without wasting a DNA solution. A biochip-producing solution is prepared to contain a combination of a DNA solution 6 to be spotted on a plate 5 and a low-cost buffer solution 7 to be remained in the device after the production. The buffer solution 7 used has a different specific gravity from that of the DNA solution 6 and thus is not mixed therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for reading a gel electrophoresis pattern can read the gel electrophoresis pattern of a sample, such as a nucleic acid and a protein, with high sensitivity and without requiring the use of an expensive device structure such as a laser light source of unique type.

Abstract: The present invention aims at producing a biochip by an inkjet system without wasting a DNA solution.

Abstract: A sample application method including the steps of: rotating a biochip including a plurality of regions bound with various probes; and dropping a sample onto generally a center of rotation of the rotating biochip so as to apply the sample to the plurality of regions.

Abstract: A method is disclosed which is capable of increasing a S/N ratio without subjecting a sample to any treatment to thereby detect hybridization with high sensitivity. A fragmentarily divided probe is used which is prepared by dividing a single probe 12 into a plurality of fragmentary probes 12a, 12b, and labeling the fragmentary probes with different fluorescent materials 14a, 14b, respectively. When the probe is hybridized with a sample 11, the fragmentary probes 12a,12b reconstitute the single probe. An intermittent light beam is used as excitation light 19. The fluorescent material 14a is excited therewith, and fluorescence 18 emitted from the fluorescent material 14b through multistep excitation is detected while irradiation with the excitation light is intermitted.

Abstract: A probe-bearing element according to the present invention includes a sheet-like body having a plurality of through holes which each bears a biopolymer probe. The sheet-like body may have a thickness of 100 .mu.m to 2 mm, and may be made of glass, acrylic resin, metal or plastic. Preferably, the size of the through hole is about 10-100 .mu.m in diameter considering the number of samples relative to the size of the element, amounts of probes required for hybridization and the detection sensitivity. The plurality of through holes are preferably arranged in concentric circles or in a spiral.

Abstract: The apparatus for reading a luminescence pattern is equipped with a stage on which the sample to be read is mounted. A photoreceptor disk is installed in the lower part of the stage and scans and condenses light from the luminescent pattern of the sample at positions determined by the rotation of a rotary plate. A transport mechanism causes the stage and the photoreceptor disk to undergo relative motion. An optical guide part guides the light from the luminescent pattern to a photoelectric converter. The optical guide part may include mirrors or one or more optical fibers. The photoelectric converter converts the light into an electrical signal. A controller controls how scanning is performed by the photoreceptor disk and transport mechanism and generates a read scanning position signal. A data processor performs data processing by converting the electrical signal into a digital signal and obtains a scanning position signal from the controller.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus for scanning and reading a luminescent pattern of a sample in a flat-plate shape, having a placing member for placing the sample as an object for reading; a light condensing member for condensing light emitted from the luminescent pattern of the sample; a movement member for moving the light condensing member relative to the placing member; a light receiving member for dividing the light of the luminescent pattern of the sample condensed by the light condensing member into predetermined segments and receiving the light by scanning the light from the segments in a one-dimensional way; a photoelectrical conversion member for converting optical signals of the light received by the light receiving member into electrical signals; a control member for controlling a scan by the light receiving member in accordance with the electrical signals from the photoelectrical conversion member; and a data processing member for converting the electrical signals from the photoelectrical conversion member in

Abstract: A capillary electrophoresis system comprising a plurality of capillaries filled with a migration medium in which samples to which fluorephore labels are added migrate, a light source providing an excitation light exciting the fluorephore labels, a photo detector detecting a fluorescence radiated from the fluorephore labels, and light focusing means placed between the plurality of capillaries to which the excitation light is irradiated. The parts of the plurality of capillaries to which the excitation light is irradiated and the light focusing means are arranged in a plane shape. The excitation light is irradiated through the plurality of capillaries and the light focusing means, the capillaries and light focusing means alternatively placed in the parts where an excitation light is irradiated. The light focusing means consisting of cylindrical rod lenses.

Abstract: The method of base sequence determination according to the present invention ensures an effective determination of a long DNA base sequence, by providing simultaneous determination of base sequences of two or more positions of the long DNA or base sequences of two or more DNAs, using the DNA probe chip which classifies and retains the DNA oligomers having various sequences, and using fluorophorelabeled primers which have the same sequencies as the oligomers in the chip and are labeled by various fluorophores, then followed by the extension of the determined base length by re-selection of the primers complementary to the sequence thus determined.

Abstract: The method of base sequence determination according to the present invention ensures an effective determination of a long DNA base sequence, by providing simultaneous determination of base sequences of two or more positions of the long DNA or base sequences of two or more DNAs, using the DNA probe chip which classifies and retains the DNA oligomers having various sequences, and using fluorophorelabeled primers which have the same sequencies as the oligomers in the chip and are labeled by various fluorophores, then followed by the extension of the determined base length by re-selection of the primers complementary to the sequence thus determined.

Abstract: The gene database retrieval system, for making a retrieval for a gene sequence having a sequence similar to a sequence data from a gene database, contains a gene database for storing the sequence data of genes whose structures or sequences have already been analyzed and identified, a dynamic programming operation unit for determining the degree of similarity between target data and key data by utilizing the sequence data of the bases of the gene from the gene database as the target data and the sequence data of the bases as the key for retrieval, and a central processing device unit for executing the access process to make access to the gene database, in parallel to the operation process for determining the degree of similarity by transmitting the sequence data of the bases from the gene database continually one after another into the dynamic programming operation unit as the target data, by controlling the gene database and the dynamic programming operation unit.

Abstract: The electrophoresis apparatus has a capillary filled with gel for use in electrophoresis. A first buffer solution container is provided for storing a buffer solution and introducing a sample labelled with a fluorescent substance into an inlet of said capillary for electrophoresis. A second buffer solution container is provided for storing a buffer solution containing a luminous solution, into which said sample is continually introduced from an outlet of said capillary after electrophoresis. Electrophoresis means is provided for subjecting said sample to electrophoresis by applying a predetermined value of voltage to said gel through which said sample is being transferred while being electrophoresed. Light receiving means is disposed underneath the outlet of said capillary to read fluorescence emitted from said sample from bottom in a direction in which said sample is approaching closer.

Abstract: An electrophoresis pattern reading system of fluorescent type is comprised of a detachable migration unit comprising a gel functioning as a base for electrophoresis and a gel-supporting body for supporting the gel; an electrophoresis unit, to which the migration unit is mounted, for performing electrophoresis by applying migrating voltage to the gel to which a sample labeled with a fluorescent substance is added; and a reading unit including an instrumentation subunit for reading an electrophoresis pattern, to which the migration unit is mounted after electrophoresis and which receives fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent substance of the sample on the gel upon application of light to the gel.