Abstract: Provided herein are methods for identifying the presence or absence of a target nucleic acid from a microorganism using direct amplification without a step of extraction of the nucleic acids, but retaining substantially the same specificity and sensitivity of methods assaying extracted nucleic acids.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing sample processing devices. The system can include a sample processing device comprising a detection chamber, a motor configured to rotate the sample processing device about an axis of rotation, and an optical module operatively positioned relative to the sample processing device and configured to determine whether a selected volume of material is present in the detection chamber of the sample processing device. The method can include rotating the sample processing device about an axis of rotation, and determining whether a selected volume of material is present in the detection chamber, while rotating the sample processing device. In some embodiments, determining whether a selected volume of material is present can be performed by optically interrogating the detection chamber for an optical property of the material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex nucleic acids in a test sample. In particular, regions of the IS6110 preferential locus (ipl) 3?-flanking region of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex genome are amplified and detected. In addition, oligonucleotides that can be used as primers to amplify the ipl 3?-flanking region and probe oligonucleotides are described.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of identifying a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a sample wherein the methods involve detecting a S. aureus-specific nucleic acid sequence, mecA and mecC, in the sample. Kits for determining the presence of MRSA in a sample are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are methods for identifying the presence or absence of a target nucleic acid from a microorganism using direct amplification without a step of extraction of the nucleic acids, but retaining substantially the same specificity and sensitivity of methods assaying extracted nucleic acids. Further provided are reagent mixtures that allow for direct amplification of a sample, without the step of nucleic acid extraction.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for identifying the presence or absence of a target nucleic acid from a microorganism using direct amplification without a step of extraction of the nucleic acids, but retaining substantially the same specificity and sensitivity of methods assaying extracted nucleic acids.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing sample processing devices. The system can include a sample processing device comprising a detection chamber, a motor configured to rotate the sample processing device about an axis of rotation, and an optical module operatively positioned relative to the sample processing device and configured to determine whether a selected volume of material is present in the detection chamber of the sample processing device. The method can include rotating the sample processing device about an axis of rotation, and determining whether a selected volume of material is present in the detection chamber, while rotating the sample processing device. In some embodiments, determining whether a selected volume of material is present can be performed by optically interrogating the detection chamber for an optical property of the material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex nucleic acids in a test sample. In particular, regions of the IS6110 preferential locus (ipl) 3?-flanking region of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex genome are amplified and detected. In addition, oligonucleotides that can be used as primers to amplify the ipl 3?-flanking region and probe oligonucleotides are described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining the presence of Mycobacterium avium complex nucleic acids in a biological sample. In particular, the mig gene of M. avium and the DT1 gene of M. intracellulare are detected, preferably following amplification. In addition, the method distinguishes between species of M. avium and M. intracellulare.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining the presence of Mycobacterium avium complex nucleic acids in a biological sample. In particular, the IS1245 gene of M. avium and the DT1 gene of M. intracellulare are detected, preferably following amplification. In addition, the method distinguishes between species of M. avium and M. intracellulare. Also described are oligonucleotides that can be used as primers to amplify target genes such as IS1245 and DT1 genes and as probes as well as kits containing the oligonucleotides.

Abstract: Disclosed is are methods for identifying a nucleic acid in a sample. In one example, the method includes: (a) contacting the nucleic acid in the sample with an oligonucleotide that is specific for the nucleic acid in the sample and that is labeled with at least a first fluorescent dye; (b) contacting the nucleic acid in the sample with a second fluorescent dye that is different from the first fluorescent dye, such that the second fluorescent dye interacts with the nucleic acid; (c) amplifying the nucleic acid if present in the sample; and (d) detecting the nucleic acid if present in the sample by observing fluorescence from the first fluorescent dye after the oligonucleotide hybridizes to the amplified nucleic acid and determining the melting temperature of the amplified nucleic acid by measuring the fluorescence of the second fluorescent dye. The second fluorescent dye may include a fluorescent intercalating agent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining the presence of Mycobacterium avium complex nucleic acids in a biological sample. In particular, the mig gene of M. avium and the DT1 gene of M. intracellulare are detected, preferably following amplification. In addition, the method distinguishes between species of M. avium and M. intracellulare. Also described are oligonucleotides that can be used as primers to amplify target genes such as mig and DT1 genes and as probes as well as kits containing the oligonucleotides.

Abstract: Disclosed is are methods for identifying a nucleic acid in a sample. In one example, the method includes: (a) contacting the nucleic acid in the sample with an oligonucleotide that is specific for the nucleic acid in the sample and that is labeled with at least a first fluorescent dye; (b) contacting the nucleic acid in the sample with a second fluorescent dye that is different from the first fluorescent dye, such that the second fluorescent dye interacts with the nucleic acid; (c) amplifying the nucleic acid if present in the sample; and (d) detecting the nucleic acid if present in the sample by observing fluorescence from the first fluorescent dye after the oligonucleotide hybridizes to the amplified nucleic acid and determining the melting temperature of the amplified nucleic acid by measuring the fluorescence of the second fluorescent dye. The second fluorescent dye may include a fluorescent intercalating agent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining the presence of Mycobacterium avium complex nucleic acids in a biological sample. In particular, the mig gene of M. avium and the DT1 gene of M. intracellulare are detected, preferably following amplification. In addition, the method distinguishes between species of M. avium and M. intracellulare. Also described are oligonucleotides that can be used as primers to amplify target genes such as mig and DT1 genes and as probes as well as kits containing the oligonucleotides.

Abstract: Disclosed is are methods for identifying a nucleic acid in a sample. In one example, the method includes: (a) contacting the nucleic acid in the sample with an oligonucleotide that is specific for the nucleic acid in the sample and that is labeled with at least a first fluorescent dye; (b) contacting the nucleic acid in the sample with a second fluorescent dye that is different from the first fluorescent dye, such that the second fluorescent dye interacts with the nucleic acid; (c) amplifying the nucleic acid if present in the sample; and (d) detecting the nucleic acid if present in the sample by observing fluorescence from the first fluorescent dye after the oligonucleotide hybridizes to the amplified nucleic acid and determining the melting temperature of the amplified nucleic acid by measuring the fluorescence of the second fluorescent dye. The second fluorescent dye may include a fluorescent intercalating agent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting human retroviral nucleic acids such as human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) nucleic acid, human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) nucleic acid, and human T-cell leukemia virus type II (HTLV-II) nucleic acid in a sample. In the method, the sample is treated with reverse transcriptase to generate cDNA, and the cDNA is subsequently analyzed to detect HIV-1, HTLV-I, and HTLV-II. The method may include performing PCR and the method may utilize specific primers. In addition, the method may utilize HTLV linkers that facilitate PCR amplification and sequencing. The cDNA may be treated with restriction enzymes before or after PCR amplification to facilitate sequencing and detection of HIV-1, HTLV-I, or HTLV-II nucleic acid.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for detecting a non-specific nucleic acid amplification inhibitor in a reaction are disclosed. An internal positive control (IPC) may be included in samples to be tested for target nucleic acids as a means to monitor non-specific inhibition of nucleic acid amplification and provide confidence in negative results obtained in target-specific assays. Provided herein are an IPC polynucleotide, IPC control primers, and IPC probes. Also provided are methods of using an IPC polynucleotide, primers, and probes to detect a non-specific nucleic acid amplification inhibitor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining the presence of Mycobacterium avium complex nucleic acids in a biological sample. In particular, the mig gene of M avium and the DT1 gene of M. intracellulare are detected, preferably following amplification. In addition, the method distinguishes between species of M avium and M intracellulare. Also described are oligonucleotides that can be used as primers to amplify target genes such as mig and DT1 genes and as probes as well as kits containing the oligonucleotides.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for determining the presence and/or amount of Borrelia burgdorferi nucleic acids in a test sample related to Lyme disease. In particular, substantially purified oligonucleotide primers and probes are described that can be used for qualitatively and quantitatively detecting Borrelia burgdorferi nucleic acid in a test sample by amplification methods. The present invention also provides primers and probes for generating and detecting control nucleic acid sequences that provide a convenient method for assessing internal quality control of the Borrelia burgdorferi assay.

Abstract: Disclosed is are methods for identifying a nucleic acid in a sample. In one example, the method includes: (a) contacting the nucleic acid in the sample with an oligonucleotide that is specific for the nucleic acid in the sample and that is labeled with at least a first fluorescent dye; (b) contacting the nucleic acid in the sample with a second fluorescent dye that is different from the first fluorescent dye, such that the second fluorescent dye interacts with the nucleic acid; (c) amplifying the nucleic acid if present in the sample; and (d) detecting the nucleic acid if present in the sample by observing fluorescence from the first fluorescent dye after the oligonucleotide hybridizes to the amplified nucleic acid and determining the melting temperature of the amplified nucleic acid by measuring the fluorescence of the second fluorescent dye. The second fluorescent dye may include a fluorescent intercalating agent.