Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for extracting circulating nucleic acids from a biological fluid. The method comprising the successive steps of providing the biological fluid supposed to contain the circulating nucleic acids. Then the biological fluid is contacted with a lysis solution comprising at least a chaotropic agent, a binding solution comprising at least a PEG derivative designed for cooperating with at least part of the circulating nucleic acids, wherein the binding solution is free of ethanol and isopropanol, and a solid support capable of capturing at least part of the circulating nucleic acid. Finally, the solid support is separated from the lysis solution, from the binding solution and from the biological fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microcarrier comprising at least a detection surface for performing an assay, said detection surface comprising a first area being functionalized with a first functional group for detecting at least a chemical and/or biological interaction, said first area being designed for providing a first signal. The microcarrier is characterized in that the detection surface further comprises a second area being designed for providing a second signal different from the first signal, said second signal being emitted during the assay. Thus, information about the presence of the at least a chemical and/or biological interaction is provided by a comparison of the first signal and the second signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for quantifying a plurality of miRNA, said method comprising the successive step of providing a sample comprising a plurality of cDNA, each cDNA corresponding to a miRNA. Then, the sample contacted with a plurality of pairs of tagged primers and a pair of universal primers, each tagged primer comprising a specific moiety and a tagged moiety. Subsequently, each cDNA is amplified by performing a first PCR amplification using a pair of tagged primers, wherein annealing step is performed at a first annealing temperature T1, to provide a plurality of DNA. Furthermore, each DNA is amplified by performing a second PCR amplification using the pair of universal primers, wherein annealing step is performed at a second annealing temperature T2. Finally, the concentration each cDNA in the sample is determined to deduce the concentration of each miRNA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microcarrier comprising at least a detection surface for performing an assay, said detection surface comprising a first area being functionalized with a first functional group for detecting at least a chemical and/or biological interaction, said first area being designed for providing a first signal. The microcarrier is characterized in that the detection surface further comprises a second area being designed for providing a second signal different from the first signal, said second signal being emitted during the assay. Thus, information about the presence of the at least a chemical and/or biological interaction is provided by a comparison of the first signal and the second signal.