Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of DNA analysis. In particular, the present invention is directed to a device for the parallel imaging of fluorescence intensities at a plurality of sites as a measure for DNA hybridization. More particular, the present invention is directed to a device to image multiplex real time PCR or to read out DNA microarrays.

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 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: Methods are provided for quantifying the concentration of a nucleic acid in a nucleic acid sample. The methods include contacting the nucleic acid sample with an amplifying agent, amplifying at least one predetermined locus of the nucleic acid by subjecting the sample to a number of amplification, generating an amplification curve or array, calculating the first, second or n th order derivative of the amplification curve or array, determining a maximum, minimum, or zero value of the derivative, and using the maximum, minimum, or zero value to calculate the initial concentration of the nucleic acid in the nucleic acid sample.

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: Methods are provided for quantifying the concentration of a nucleic acid in a nucleic acid sample. The methods include contacting the nucleic acid sample with an amplifying agent, amplifying at least one predetermined locus of the nucleic acid by subjecting the sample to a number of amplification, generating an amplification curve or array, calculating the first, second or n th order derivative of the amplification curve or array, determining a maximum, minimum, or zero value of the derivative, and using the maximum, minimum, or zero value to calculate the initial concentration of the nucleic acid in the nucleic acid sample.

Abstract: The invention provides a new method for the quantification of a nucleic acid, wherein in a first step, the nucleic acid is amplified by an amplifying agent. Subsequently, first, second or n th order derivatives is calculated. The obtained value can then be used to calculate the initial concentration of the analyte.

Abstract: Image recording system for the evaluation of analytical test elements with a holding unit (8) into which the test elements are placed or onto which they are placed as well as a lens system (5) which records an image of the test elements on a CCD chip (3) and an evaluation unit that evaluates the image on the CCD chip or displays it on a monitor. The image recording system enables numerous test elements of different sizes to be evaluated at different wavelengths without requiring focussing by the user. The lens system used for this is a reducing optical system with an aperture on the side of the image of at least 0.7 and a distance between the CCD chip and the nearest lens of the lens system of less than 15 mm. In addition the distance between the nearest lens of the lens system and the CCD chip is kept constant to at least 10 &mgr;m in order to ensure an adequate sharpness. A compensator is described for keeping this distance constant.