Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for diagnosing breast cancer; methods for assigning risk of reoccurrence of breast cancer; methods for assigning risk of mortality due to breast cancer, methods of monitoring breast cancer; methods of staging breast cancer; and various devices and kits adapted to perform such methods. These methods comprise measurement gene expression from one or more protein fatty acyl transferase genes in a tissue sample, and preferably in a tumor sample, from the patient.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials involved in assessing a mammal (e.g., a human) for a susceptibility to develop venous thromboembolism. For example, methods and materials for using a genetic variation in an ABO nucleic acid (e.g., rs2519093) to assess an individual's risk for developing venous thromboembolism are provided.

Abstract: The invention involves methods and materials for detecting a mutation in the genome of an organism. Specifically, the invention provides compositions of oligonucleotides and diagnostic kits that can be used to amplify nucleic acid sequences such that if heterologous amplified fragments are present, then stable nucleic acid branching structures are formed and detected from a cell lysate mixture containing the amplified nucleic acid. The formation of stable nucleic acid branching structures is particularly useful for providing a mechanism to detect heterologous alleles verses homozygous alleles since homozygous amplified products do not form stable nucleic acid branching structures. In addition, the invention provides methods of detecting heterologous Factor V alleles as well as homozygous wild-type and homozygous mutant Factor V alleles.