Abstract: The present invention describes nucleic acids for the diagnosis of a set of genetic parameters within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), comprising a segment that is inversely complementary or identical to a chemically pretreated genomic DNA and that is at least 20 base pairs long as well as a set of oligomer probes (oligonucleotides and/or PNA oligomers), which serve for the detection of the cytosine methylation state in nucleic acids. These probes are particularly suitable for the diagnosis of genetic parameters within the MHC.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the chemically modified genomic sequences of genes associated with apoptosis, to oligonucleotides and/or PNA-oligomers for detecting the cytosine methylation state of genes associated with apoptosis which are directed against the sequence, as well as to a method for ascertaining genetic and/or epigenetic parameters of genes associated with apoptosis.

Abstract: Described is a method for detecting 5-methylcytosine in genomic DNA samples. First, a genomic DNA from a DNA sample is chemically converted with a reagent, 5-methylcytosine and cytosine reacting differently, and the pretreated DNA is subsequently amplified using a polymerase and at least one primer. In the next step, the amplified genomic DNA is hybridized to at least one oligonucleotide, forming a duplex, and said oligonucleotide is elongated by at least one nucleotide, the nucleotide carrying a detectable label, and the elongation depending on the methylation status of the specific cytosine in the genomic DNA sample. In the next step, the elongated oligonucleotides are analyzed for the presence of the label.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the chemically modified genomic sequences of genes associated with DNA transcription to oligonucleotides and/or PNA-oligomers for detecting the cytosine methylation state of genes associated with DNA transcription which are directed against the sequence as well as to a method for ascertaining genetic and/or epigenetic parameters of genes associated with DNA transcription.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the chemically modified genomic sequences of genes associated with metastasis, to oligonucleotides and/or PNA-oligomers for detecting the cytosine methylation state of genes associated with metastasis which are directed against the sequence, as well as to a method for ascertaining genetic and/or epigenetic parameters of genes associated with metastasis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chemically modified genomic sequences of genes associated with the immune system, to oligonucleotides and/or PNA-oligomers directed against the sequence, for the detection of the methylation status of genes, associated with the immune system as well as to a method for ascertaining genetic and/or epigentic parametres of genes, associated with the immune system.

Abstract: Described is a method for detecting 5-methylcytosine in genomic DNA samples. First, a genomic DNA from a DNA sample is chemically converted with a reagent, 5-methylcytosine and cytosine reacting differently, and the pretreated DNA is subsequently amplified using a polymerase and at least one primer. In the next step, the amplified genomic DNA is hybridized to at least one oligonucleotide, forming a duplex, and said oligonucleotide is elongated by at least one nucleotide, the nucleotide carrying a detectable label, and the elongation depending on the methylation status of the specific cytosine in the genomic DNA sample. In the next step, the elongated oligonucleotides are analyzed for the presence of the label.

Abstract: Described is a method for detecting 5-methylcytosine in genomic DNA samples. First, a genomic DNA from a DNA sample is chemically converted with a reagent, 5-methylcytosine and cytosine reacting differently, and the pretreated DNA is subsequently amplified using a polymerase and at least one primer. In the next step, the amplified genomic DNA is hybridized to at least two oligonucleotides, the latter being joined by inserting at least one oligonucleotide. In the ligation product, one nucleotide carries a detectable label, and the elongation depends on the methylation status of the specific cytosine in the genomic DNA sample. In the next step, the elongated oligonucleotides are analyzed for the presence of the label.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the high-parallel characterisation of polymorphisms, especially SNPs. Said method can also be used for the simultaneous or separate detection of DNA methylation. First, a set of probes provided with at least one characteristic detectable identifying mark for a respective probe is connected to an addressed surface. A nucleic acid to be examined is then hybridised to these probes and the probes are extended in an allele-specific enzymatic reaction. The type and the occurrence of said allele-specific reaction determine whether the respective probe is enzymatically decomposed. Finally, the remaining allele-specific products are analysed and the existing alleles in the extracted nucleic acid samples are determined.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the chemically modified genomic sequences of genes associated with gene regulation, to oligonucleotides and/or PNA-oligomers for detecting the cytosine methylation state of genes associated with gene regulation which are directed against the sequence, as well as to a method for ascertaining genetic and/or epigenetic parameters of genes associated with gene regulation.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the detection of cytosine methylation in DNA samples, wherein the following steps are conducted: (a) a genomic DNA sample, which comprises the DNA to be investigated and background DNA, is chemically treated in such a way that all of the unmethylated cytosine bases are converted to uracil, whereas the 5-methylcytosine bases remain unchanged; (b) the chemically treated DNA sample is amplified with the use of at least 1 primer oligonucleotide as well as a polymerase, whereby the DNA to be investigated is preferred as the template over the background DNA, and (c) the amplified products are analyzed and the methylation status in the DNA to be investigated is concluded from the presence of an amplified product and/or from the analysis of additional positions.

Abstract: A method is described for the relative quantification of the methylation of cytosine bases in DNA samples, wherein the following method steps are conducted:

Abstract: The invention presents a method for examining genetic material (deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA) to detect the presence of pre-known mutations, especially single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), using mass spectrometry with ionization by matrix-assisted laser desorption (MALDI). The invention uses nucleoside triphosphates with modified sites for the method of primer extension in a duplicating, enzymatic reaction and at least partially removal of primers from the extension product, in combination with product neutralization by chemical treatment of the modified sites, so that the resulting DNA products can be, by using special matrix materials, preferredly ionized in an adduct-free form over other constituents in the reaction solution without any further cleaning. The method is particularly suitable for simultaneous identification of several mutations by multiplexing.

Abstract: A method for the development of gene panels for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes comprising the steps of: (a) isolating at least one biological sample from each of at least two groups of biological material containing mRNA and/or proteins; (b) analyzing the expression level of at least one gene in the at least one biological sample; (c) selecting the gene(s) exhibiting a different expression level between the at least two groups of biological material, whereby a first knowledge base is generated; (d) analyzing the level of cytosine methylation in the methylation relevant regions of at least one gene of at least one of the biological samples of step (a), wherein the gene is selected on the basis of the first knowledge base; (e) selecting the gene(s) exhibiting a different level of cytosine methylation between the at least two groups of biological material, whereby a second knowledge base is generated; and (f) adding selected genes from the second knowledge base to a gene panel.