Abstract: A method for amplifying nucleic acid from a higher eukaryotic, such as mammalian or plant, nucleic acid source, the method comprising (a) contacting a sampling device with the source of higher eukaryotic, such as mammalian or plant, nucleic acid such that following said contacting, higher eukaryotic such as mammalian or plant nucleic acid-containing material is adhered to at least part of the sampling device, wherein the sampling device, or part thereof to which the nucleic acid-containing material is adhered, is made of a suitable polymeric material; (b) introducing the sampling device or part thereof to which the nucleic acid-containing material is adhered into a reaction vessel which contains a reaction mixture for carrying out a nucleic acid amplification reaction, without any prior treatment of the nucleic acid-containing material; and (c) performing a nucleic acid amplification reaction.

Abstract: A method for amplifying nucleic acid from a higher eukaryotic, such as mammalian or plant, nucleic acid source, the method comprising (a) contacting a sampling device with the source of higher eukaryotic, such as mammalian or plant, nucleic acid such that following said contacting, higher eukaryotic such as mammalian or plant nucleic acid-containing material is adhered to at least part of the sampling device, wherein the sampling device, or part thereof to which the nucleic acid-containing material is adhered, is made of a suitable polymeric material; (b) introducing the sampling device or part thereof to which the nucleic acid-containing material is adhered into a reaction vessel which contains a reaction mixture for carrying out a nucleic acid amplification reaction, without any prior treatment of the nucleic acid-containing material; and (c) performing a nucleic acid amplification reaction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous flow process for the preparation of graft copolymers, for example ABS, wherein a mixture of a polybutadiene and/or styrenebutadiene copolymer latex, one or more vinyl aromatic monomers and one or more unsaturated nitrile monomers is continuously supplied to a first stage, graft polymerization is initiated in said first stage, the mixture is continuously removed from the said first stage and supplied to at least a second stage wherein graft polymerization is continued, the temperature in each stage being 50.degree. to 100.degree. C, the conversion of monomers to polymer in the first stage not exceeding 65% by weight, and the overall conversion being at least 80% by weight.