Abstract: The invention relates to a method for filtering nucleic acids, to a kit for carrying out the method according to the invention and to a novel use of magnetic particles for filtering a biological sample. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: a) the sample is held in an aqueous solution; b) lysing of the sample; c) separation of cellular debris; and d) the nucleic acids are isolated from the solution, steps (a) to (c) taking place under non-chaotropic conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for filtering nucleic acids, to a kit for carrying out the method according to the invention and to a novel use of magnetic particles for filtering a biological sample. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: a) the sample is held in an aqueous solution; b) lysing of the sample; c) separation of cellular debris; and d) the nucleic acids are isolated from the solution, steps (a) to (c) taking place under non-chaotropic conditions.

Abstract: Luminescent inorganic nanoparticles comprising: (a) a core made from a first metal salt or oxide being surrounded by (b) a shell made from a second metal salt or oxide being luminescent and having non-semiconductor properties. These nanoparticles can be advantageously used in (fluorescence) resonance energy transfer ((F)RET)-based bioassays in view of their higher (F)RET efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatable method for the improved diagnosis of pathologically altered cells by simultaneously staining at least two different molecular markers, which exhibit a change in gene expression which is disease-associated, in a cell or constituent regions of a tissue sample by means of using combinations of antibodies and accrediting signal intensities.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assay based on resonance energy transfer (RET), comprising a first molecule grope A, which is marked with at least one energy donor, and at least one second molecule group B which is marked with at least one energy acceptor, the donor comprising a molecule or particle which can be energetically excited by an external radiation source and which is fluorescence enabled and the acceptor comprising a molecule or particle which can be excited by energy transfer via the donor with partial or complete quenching of the donor fluorescence, and the donor and/or acceptor comprise luminescing inorganic dope nanoparticles having an expansion of ?50 nanometers, emitting electromagnetic radiation with stokes or anti-stokes scattering after energetic excitation.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing nanoparticles, in particular metal salt nanoparticles. To the synthesis mixture is added a modifying reagent which binds, by means of a first functional group, to the nanoparticle surface and which carries a second functional group for binding to molecules which are specifically selected in dependence on the subsequent use of the nanoparticles. This dispenses with a postsynthetic, separate, application-specific modification step. A new substance class, the pentaalkyl iminobis(methylenephosphono)carboxylates, are particularly suitable for this purpose.

Abstract: The present invention relates to luminescent inorganic nanoparticles comprising (a) a core made from a first metal salt or oxide being surrounded by (b) a shell made from a second metal salt or oxide being luminescent and having non-semiconductor properties. These particles can be advantageously used in (fluorescence) resonance energy transfer ((F)RET)-based bioassays in view of their higher (F)RET efficiency.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing nanoparticles, in particular metal salt nanoparticles. To the synthesis mixture is added a modifying reagent which binds, by means of a first functional group, to the nanoparticle surface and which carries a second functional group for binding to molecules which are specifically selected in dependence on the subsequent use of the nanoparticles. This dispenses with a postsynthetic, separate, application-specific modification step. A new substance class, the pentaalkyl iminobis(methylenephosphono) carboxylates, are particularly suitable for this purpose.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assay based on resonance energy transfer (RET), comprising a first molecule grope A, which is marked with at least one energy donor, and at least one second molecule group B which is marked with at least one energy acceptor, the donor comprising a molecule or particle which can be energetically excited by an external radiation source and which is fluorescence enabled and the acceptor comprising a molecule or particle which can be excited by energy transfer via the donor with partial or complete quenching of the donor fluorescence, and the donor and/or acceptor comprise luminescing inorganic dope nanoparticles having an expansion of ?50 nanometers, emitting electromagnetic radiation with stokes or anti-stokes scattering after energetic excitation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a simple detection probe containing luminescent inorganic doped nanoparticles (l.i.d nanoparticles) which can be detected after excitement by a source of radiation by their absorption and/or scattering and/or diffraction of the excitement radiation or by emission of fluorescent light, and whose surface is prepared in such a way that affinity molecules for detecting a biological or other organic substance can couple with this prepared surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatable method for the improved diagnosis of pathologically altered cells by simultaneously staining at least two different molecular markers, which exhibit a change in gene expression which is disease-associated, in a cell or constituent regions of a tissue sample by means of using combinations of antibodies and accrediting signal intensities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatable method for obtaining an improved diagnosis of cancer, and its precancerous stages in uterine cervical smears by simultaneously staining and detecting at least two different molecular markers, which exhibit a disease-associated change in gene expression, in a cell by means of using antibodies or nucleic acid probes.