Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for determining of at least one microsatellite instability (MSI) based on a shift in a capillary electrophoresis (CE) profile (CE profile shift), the CE profile shift being determined by a comparison between the capillary electrophoresis (CE) profile of a target sequence of at least one microsatellite (MSI target profile) and the capillary electrophoresis (CE) profile of its specific wild type sequence (MS wild type profile). Further, the invention encompass suitable primer for use in said method, a kit comprising all essential components for performing said method successfully, a complete closed device as a system, namely “MSI Modaplex Analysis System” and a method for diagnosis of MSI phenotypes associated with an inflammation, cancer, inflammation associated cancer and/or auto immune disease, wherein the diagnosis comprises the method for determining of at least one CE profile shift as mentioned above.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the quantification of a target nucleic acid in a sample comprising the following steps: (i) determination of the amplification efficiency of the target nucleic acid under defined amplification conditions, (ii) amplification of the target nucleic acid contained in the sample under the same defined reaction conditions, (iii) measuring the amplification in real-time, (iv) quantification of the original amount of target nucleic acid in the sample by correction of the original amount derived from step (iii) with the aid of the determined amplification efficiency. The efficiency correction of PCR reactions according to the invention for the quantification of nucleic acids can be used for absolute quantification with the aid of an external or internal standard as well as for relative quantification compared to the expression of housekeeping genes.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the quantification of a target nucleic acid in a sample comprising the following steps: (i) determination of the amplification efficiency of the target nucleic acid under defined amplification conditions, (ii) amplification of the target nucleic acid contained in the sample under the same defined reaction conditions, (iii) measuring the amplification in real-time, (iv) quantification of the original amount of target nucleic acid in the sample by correction of the original amount derived from step (iii) with the aid of the determined amplification efficiency. The efficiency correction of PCR reactions according to the invention for the quantification of nucleic acids can be used for absolute quantification with the aid of an external or internal standard as well as for relative quantification compared to the expression of housekeeping genes.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the quantification of a target nucleic acid in a sample comprising the following steps: (i) determination of the amplification efficiency of the target nucleic acid under defined amplification conditions, (ii) amplification of the target nucleic acid contained in the sample under the same defined reaction conditions, (iii) measuring the amplification in real-time, (iv) quantification of the original amount of target nucleic acid in the sample by correction of the original amount derived from step (iii) with the aid of the determined amplification efficiency. The efficiency correction of PCR reactions according to the invention for the quantification of nucleic acids can be used for absolute quantification with the aid of an external or internal standard as well as for relative quantification compared to the expression of housekeeping genes.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the quantification of a target nucleic acid in a sample comprising the following steps: (i) determination of the amplification efficiency of the target nucleic acid under defined amplification conditions, (ii) amplification of the target nucleic acid contained in the sample under the same defined reaction conditions, (iii) measuring the amplification in real-time, (iv) quantification of the original amount of target nucleic acid in the sample by correction of the original amount derived from step (iii) with the aid of the determined amplification efficiency. The efficiency correction of PCR reactions according to the invention for the quantification of nucleic acids can be used for absolute quantification with the aid of an external or internal standard as well as for relative quantification compared to the expression of housekeeping genes.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an oligonucleotide comprising a molecular rod, wherein preferentially the molecular rod covalently connects the 3? end of a first nucleotide residue with the 5? end of a second nucleotide residue. Such oligonucleotides are highly advantageous for real time PCR melting curve analysis.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for determining the efficiency of the amplification of a target nucleic acid comprising the following steps: (i) preparation of a dilution series of the target nucleic acid, (ii) amplifying the target nucleic acid under defined reaction conditions, the amplification being measured in real-time (iii) setting a defined signal threshold value, (iv) determining the cycle number at which the signal threshold value is exceeded for various dilutions, (v) determining the amplification efficiency as a function of the amount of original target nucleic acid. The present invention also concerns a method for the quantification of a target nucleic acid in a sample in which the efficiency of the amplification reaction is determined in this manner and is taken into account in the quantification.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for determining the efficiency of the amplification of a target nucleic acid comprising the following steps: (i) preparation of a dilution series of the target nucleic acid, (ii) amplifying the target nucleic acid under defined reaction conditions, the amplification being measured in real-time (iii) setting a defined signal threshold value, (iv) determining the cycle number at which the signal threshold value is exceeded for various dilutions, (v) determining the amplification efficiency as a function of the amount of original target nucleic acid. The present invention also concerns a method for the quantification of a target nucleic acid in a sample in which the efficiency of the amplification reaction is determined in this manner and is taken into account in the quantification.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for quantitative multiplex PCR of two targets whereby one target is present in at least 100-fold molar excess over that of the other target. The method further comprises the addition of a thermostable DNA polymerase with a final concentration of at least 0.5 units/?l.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an oligonucleotide comprising a molecular rod, wherein preferentially the molecular rod covalently connects the 3? end of a first nucleotide residue with the 5? end of a second nucleotide residue. Such oligonucleotides are highly advantageous for real time PCR melting curve analysis.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for determining the efficiency of the amplification of a target nucleic acid comprising the following steps: (i) preparation of a dilution series of the target nucleic acid, (ii) amplifying the target nucleic acid under defined reaction conditions, the amplification being measured in real-time (iii) setting a defined signal threshold value, (iv) determining the cycle number at which the signal threshold value is exceeded for various dilutions, (v) determining the amplification efficiency as a function of the amount of original target nucleic acid. The present invention also concerns a method for the quantification of a target nucleic acid in a sample in which the efficiency of the amplification reaction is determined in this manner and is taken into account in the quantification.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the quantification of a target nucleic acid in a sample comprising the following steps: (i) determination of the amplification efficiency of the target nucleic acid under defined amplification conditions, (ii) amplification of the target nucleic acid contained in the sample under the same defined reaction conditions, (iii) measuring the amplification in real-time, (iv) quantification of the original amount of target nucleic acid in the sample by correction of the original amount derived from step (iii) with the aid of the determined amplification efficiency. The efficiency correction of PCR reactions according to the invention for the quantification of nucleic acids can be used for absolute quantification with the aid of an external or internal standard as well as for relative quantification compared to the expression of housekeeping genes.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the quantification of a target nucleic acid in a sample comprising the following steps: (i) determination of the amplification efficiency of the target nucleic acid under defined amplification conditions, (ii) amplification of the target nucleic acid contained in the sample under the same defined reaction conditions, (iii) measuring the amplification in real-time, (iv) quantification of the original amount of target nucleic acid in the sample by correction of the original amount derived from step (iii) with the aid of the determined amplification efficiency. The efficiency correction of PCR reactions according to the invention for the quantification of nucleic acids can be used for absolute quantification with the aid of an external or internal standard as well as for relative quantification compared to the expression of housekeeping genes.

Abstract: The new invention provides a method and a kit for quantitative multiplex PCR with a high dynamic range characterized in that a thermostable DNA Polymerase with a final concentration of at least 0.5 units/&mgr;l is use.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the quantification of a target nucleic acid in a sample comprising the following steps: (i) determination of the amplification efficiency of the target nucleic acid under defined amplification conditions, (ii) amplification of the target nucleic acid contained in the sample under the same defined reaction conditions, (iii) measuring the amplification in real-time, (iv) quantification of the original amount of target nucleic acid in the sample by correction of the original amount derived from step (iii) with the aid of the determined amplification efficiency. The efficiency correction of PCR reactions according to the invention for the quantification of nucleic acids can be used for absolute quantification with the aid of an external or internal standard as well as for relative quantification compared to the expression of housekeeping genes.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for determining the efficiency of the amplification of a target nucleic acid comprising the following steps: (i) preparation of a dilution series of the target nucleic acid, (ii) amplifying the target nucleic acid under defined reaction conditions, the amplification being measured in real-time (iii) setting a defined signal threshold value, (iv) determining the cycle number at which the signal threshold value is exceeded for various dilutions, (v) determining the amplification efficiency as a function of the amount of original target nucleic acid. The present invention also concerns a method for the quantification of a target nucleic acid in a sample in which the efficiency of the amplification reaction is determined in this manner and is taken into account in the quantification.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and a device which enables an integrated amplification and detection of nucleic acids.

Abstract: A method for diagnosis or prognosis of a cancer is disclosed. The method comprises (i) detecting in a first biological sample protein tyrosine phosphate .alpha. (PTP.alpha.) or PTP.alpha. nucleic acid, and (ii) comparing the level of PTP.alpha. or PTP.alpha. nucleic acid in the first sample with the level in a second biological sample known to be from normal tissue. Any overexpression of PTP.alpha. or PTP.alpha. nucleic acid in the first sample compared to the second sample is indicative that the first sample is from a cancerous tissue.