Abstract: A method for extracting nucleic acids from a biological sample by isolating nucleic acid-containing particles from the biological sample by one or more centrifugation procedures, performing one or more steps to mitigate adverse factors that prevent or might prevent high quality nucleic acid extraction, and extracting nucleic acids from the isolated particles. The centrifugation procedures are performed at a speed not exceeding about 200,000 g. The extracted nucleic acids contain both 18S and 28S rRNA.

Abstract: The invention provides novel methods for isolating microvesicles from a biological sample and for extracting nucleic acids from the microvesicles.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for diagnosing or prognosing a disease or medical condition in a subject by detecting the presence or absence of BRAF mutant nucleic acids from nucleic acids extracted from microvesicles from a biological sample. The present invention also discloses methods for assessing the responsiveness or determining a treatment regimen for a subject in need thereof by detecting the presence or absence of BRAF mutant nucleic acids from nucleic acids extracted from microvesicles from a biological sample. Methods for isolating microvesicles and extracting DNA and/or RNA from the microvesicles are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel method for detecting the presence or absence of one or more transfer RNAs (tRNAs) contained in microvesicles from a subject. The invention also provides a novel method for detecting the presence or absence of one or more human endogenous retrovirus elements (HERV) in microvesicles from a subject. The methods disclosed is directed to aiding diagnosis, prognosis, minotring and evaluation of a disease or other medical condition in a subject.