Abstract: The present invention relates to fluorinated surfaces which exhibit sufficient hydrophilicity and sufficient electropositivity to bind DNA from a suspension containing DNA and permit elution of the DNA from the surface. Generally, the hydrophilic and electropositive characteristics are expressed at the fluorinated surface. Preferred fluorinated surfaces of the present invention include fluorinated Al(OH).sub.3, fluorinated SiO.sub.2 and fluorinated Celite. The fluorinated surfaces of the present invention are particularly useful in processes for purification of DNA from other cellular components. In these processes, a suspension of cellular components is placed in contact with the fluorinated surface, the fluorinated surface is washed to remove all cellular components other than DNA which are bound to the surface, and the bound DNA is eluted from the surface. Lower concentrations of chaotrope in the binding buffer are needed to bind DNA to the fluorinated surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified glass fiber membranes which exhibit sufficient hydrophilicity and sufficient electropositivity to bind DNA from a suspension containing DNA and permit elution of the DNA from the membrane. Generally, the hydrophilic and electropositive characteristics are expressed at the surface of the modified glass fiber membrane. Preferred modified glass fiber membranes of the present invention include glass fiber membranes that have been modified by treatment with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), BCl.sub.3, SiCl.sub.4, NaOH, F.sup.-, AlCl.sub.3 alone or in combination, with or without water. The modified glass fiber membranes of the present invention are particularly useful in processes for purification of DNA from other cellular components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified glass fiber membranes which exhibit sufficient hydrophilicity and sufficient electropositivity to bind DNA from a suspension containing DNA and permit elution of the DNA from the membrane. Generally, the hydrophilic and electropositive characteristics are expressed at the surface of the modified glass fiber membrane. Preferred modified glass fiber membranes of the present invention include glass fiber membranes that have been modified by treatment with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), BCl.sub.3, SiCl.sub.4, NaOH, F.sup.-, AlCl.sub.3 alone or in combination, with or without water. The modified glass fiber membranes of the present invention are particularly useful in processes for purification of DNA from other cellular components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified glass fiber membranes which exhibit sufficient hydrophilicity and sufficient electropositivity to bind DNA from a suspension containing DNA and permit elution of the DNA from the membrane. Generally, the hydrophilic and electropositive characteristics are expressed at the surface of the modified glass fiber membrane. Preferred modified glass fiber membranes of the present invention include glass fiber membranes that have been modified by treatment with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), BCl.sub.3, SiCl.sub.4, NaOH, F.sup.-, AlCl.sub.3 alone or in combination, with or without water. The modified glass fiber membranes of the present invention are particularly useful in processes for purification of DNA from other cellular components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified glass fiber membranes which exhibit sufficient hydrophilicity and sufficient electropositivity to bind DNA from a suspension containing DNA and permit elution of the DNA from the membrane. Generally, the hydrophilic and electropositive characteristics are expressed at the surface of the modified glass fiber membrane. Preferred modified glass fiber membranes of the present invention include glass fiber membranes that have been modified by treatment with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), BCl.sub.3, SiCl.sub.4, NaOH, F.sup.-, AlCl.sub.3 alone or in combination, with or without water. The modified glass fiber membranes of the present invention are particularly useful in processes for purification of DNA from other cellular components.

Abstract: Methods for processing samples which may contain mycobacteria which are compatible with both conventional culturing techniques and nucleic acid analysis. It has been found that the harsh chemical treatment previously thought necessary to obtain efficient lysis can be eliminated without loss of lysis efficiency, thereby eliminating reagents which may inhibit subsequent nucleic acid-based reactions. Heat alone is sufficient to lyse mycobacteria, even in buffers which do not contain detergents, chelators, enzymes, etc. Residual reagents introduced by conventional sample processing methods for culture can be successfully removed from the processed pellet without significant loss of microorganisms by at least two washings with saline, water, or buffers compatible with nucleic acid analysis and appropriate centrifugation.

Abstract: Boron silicates, phosphosilicates and aluminum silicates useful as binding surfaces for DNA purification. These compounds allow DNA to be bound and eluted under native conditions (i.e., in the absence of chaotropes or alcohols) using only water, low salt buffers or physiological buffers. Methods for preparation of the compounds and methods for purifying DNA using the compounds are also provided.

Abstract: A process for purifying DNA comprising binding the DNA to a silicate compound in the presence of water, low salt buffer, or physiological buffer and eluting in the bound DNA by heating in a low salt buffer, a physiological buffer, or water. The silicate compound is prepared by reacting SiCl.sub.4 with a molar percentage of BCl.sub.3 of about 33.5%, 55.6%, or 83.3%, with a molar percentage of PCl.sub.3 of about 50.0%-83.3%, or with a molar percentage of AlCl.sub.3 of about 9.1%; cooling the reaction mixture; adding water until the evolution of gas is complete; and recovering the compound.

Abstract: A process for preparing borosilicate, aluminosilicate, or phosphosilicate comprising preparing a mixture of SiCl.sub.4 with a specific molar ratio of BCl.sub.3, AlCl.sub.3, or PCl.sub.3 ; cooling said mixture to zero degrees; and adding water to the reaction mixture until the evolution of gas is complete. These silicates are useful for purifying DNA wherein the DNA is bound in water or low salt buffers (i.e., in the absence of a chaotropic agent or alcohol).

Abstract: The invention provides a rapid process for lysing Mycobacteria. In one embodiment is provided a process for lysing Mycobacteria which comprises exposing the bacteria to a lysis effective amount of heat. A particularly effective method for providing the necessary heat is in the form of forced hot air such as in a forced hot air oven. The process of the invention is particularly advantageous since only one step is involved, it is expedient compared to prior methods, and little instrumentation is necessary. By practicing the present invention it is possible to lyse Mycobacteria with minimal effort. In addition, practicing the invention results in liberating cellular components including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from Mycobacteria. Not only is DNA liberated, but the DNA is suited for subsequent analysis by way of probe hybridization, restriction enzyme analysis, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a silicon-containing material which exhibits sufficient hydrophilicity and sufficient electropositivity to bind DNA from a suspension containing DNA and permit elution of the DNA from the material. Generally, the hydrophilic and electropositive characteristics are expressed at the surface of the silicon-containing material. Preferred silicon-containing materials of the present invention include boron silicate, aluminum silicate, phosphosilicate, silica carbonyl, silica sulfonyl and silica phosphonyl. The silicon-containing materials of the present invention are particularly useful in processes for purification of DNA from other cellular components. In these processes, a suspension of cellular components is placed in contact with the silicon-containing material, the silicon-containing material is washed to remove all cellular components other than DNA which are bound to the material, and the bound DNA is eluted from the material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fluorinated surfaces which exhibit sufficient hydrophilicity and sufficient electropositivity to bind DNA from a suspension containing DNA and permit elution of the DNA from the surface. Generally, the hydrophilic and electropositive characteristics are expressed at the fluorinated surface. Preferred fluorinated surfaces of the present invention include fluorinated Al(OH).sub.3, fluorinated SiO.sub.2 and fluorinated Celite. The fluorinated surfaces of the present invention are particularly useful in processes for purification of DNA from other cellular components. In these processes, a suspension of cellular components is placed in contact with the fluorinated surface, the fluorinated surface is washed to remove all cellular components other than DNA which are bound to the surface, and the bound DNA is eluted from the surface. Lower concentrations of chaotrope in the binding buffer are needed to bind DNA to the fluorinated surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified glass fiber membranes which exhibit sufficient hydrophilicity and sufficient electropositivity to bind DNA from a suspension containing DNA and permit elution of the DNA from the membrane. Generally, the hydrophilic and electropositive characteristics are expressed at the surface of the modified glass fiber membrane. Preferred modified glass fiber membranes of the present invention include glass fiber membranes that have been modified by treatment with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), BCl.sub.3, SiCl.sub.4, NaOH, F.sup.-, AlCl.sub.3 alone or in combination, with or without water. The modified glass fiber membranes of the present invention are particularly useful in processes for purification of DNA from other cellular components.

Abstract: The invention provides a rapid process for lysing Mycobacteria. In one embodiment is provided a process for lysing Mycobacteria which comprises exposing the bacteria to a lysis effective amount of heat. The process of the invention is particularly advantageous since only one step is involved, it is expedient compared to prior methods, and little instrumentation is necessary. By practicing the present invention it is possible to lyse Mycobacteria with minimal effort. In addition, practicing the invention results in liberating cellular components including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from Mycobacteria. Not only is DNA liberated, but the DNA is suited for subsequent analysis by way of probe hybridization, restriction enzyme analysis, and the like.

Abstract: A process for purifying DNA comprising 1) binding the DNA to a hydrated silica in the presence of water or physiological buffers in which the hydrated silica is prepared by refluxing silicon dioxide in sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide at a molar ratio of about 2:1 to 10:1 for at least about 48 hours, 2) separating and washing hydrated silica and the DNA bound thereto, and eluting the DNA from the hydrated silica in a heated physiological buffer or in heated water.

Abstract: A floating fishing light and tranducer apparatus 10 is provided to be used while fishing in a boat 11. The apparatus 10 includes a bouyant housing member 12 having a light 22 and transducer 34 coupled thereto. The light 22 is provided to attract fish thereto while the transducer 34 emits a signal which facilitrates the determination of the presence and depth of fish in a designated area. As a result the chances of catching fish are enhanced.