Abstract: A real time Taq-Man PCR assay for detecting multiple serotypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) wherein the number of serotypes detected exceeds the number of colorimetric channels for detection. A biological sample is combined with three oligonucleotide primer/probe sets such that the probes and primers anneal to a target sequence. Each primer/probe set is at least preferential for a specific serotype of an organism. The first and second primer/probe sets are degenerate with respect to each other. The third primer/probe set is not degenerate with respect to the first and second primer/probe sets and discriminates for a third serotype. The third primer/probe set has a signal moiety that emits signal at a wavelength that is the same or different from the wavelength emitted by the signal moiety of the degenerate primer/probe set probes. The target sequences, if present, are amplified and detected.

Abstract: A region of the Trichomonas vaginalis AP65-1 gene has been identified which is useful for performing amplification assays to determine specifically whether T. vaginalis is present in the sample being tested. Oligonucleotides useful for performing thermal Strand Displacement Assay (tSDA) reactions on this gene are disclosed. The disclosed oligonucleotides can be used in an assay which is specific for multiple strains of T. vaginalis and which does not show cross reactivity with the genomes of other microorganisms or with human DNA.

Abstract: A region of the Trichomonas vaginalis AP65-1 gene has been identified which is useful for performing amplification assays to determine specifically whether T. vaginalis is present in the sample being tested. Oligonucleotides useful for performing thermal Strand Displacement Assay (tSDA) reactions on this gene are disclosed. The disclosed oligonucleotides can be used in an assay which is specific for multiple strains of T. vaginalis and which does not show cross reactivity with the genomes of other microorganisms or with human DNA.

Abstract: A real time Taq-Man PCR assay for detecting multiple serotypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) wherein the number of serotypes detected exceeds the number of colorimetric channels for detection. A biological sample is combined with three oligonucleotide primer/probe sets such that the probes and primers anneal to a target sequence. Each primer/probe set is at least preferential for a specific serotype of an organism. The first and second primer/probe sets are degenerate with respect to each other. The third primer/probe set is not degenerate with respect to the first and second primer/probe sets and discriminates for a third serotype. The third primer/probe set has a signal moiety that emits signal at a wavelength that is the same or different from the wavelength emitted by the signal moiety of the degenerate primer/probe set probes. The target sequences, if present, are amplified and detected.

Abstract: A region of the Trichomonas vaginalis AP65-1 gene has been identified which is useful for performing amplification assays to determine specifically whether T. vaginalis is present in the sample being tested. Oligonucleotides useful for performing thermal Strand Displacement Assay (tSDA) reactions on this gene are disclosed. The disclosed oligonucleotides can be used in an assay which is specific for multiple strains of T. vaginalis and which does not show cross reactivity with the genomes of other microorganisms or with human DNA.

Abstract: A real time Taq-Man PCR assay for detecting multiple serotypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) wherein the number of serotypes detected exceeds the number of colorimetric channels for detection. A biological sample is combined with three oligonucleotide primer/probe sets such that the probes and primers anneal to a target sequence. Each primer/probe set is at least preferential for a specific serotype of an organism. The first and second primer/probe sets are degenerate with respect to each other. The third primer/probe set is not degenerate with respect to the first and second primer/probe sets and discriminates for a third serotype. The third primer/probe set has a signal moiety that emits signal at a wavelength that is the same or different from the wavelength emitted by the signal moiety of the degenerate primer/probe set probes. The target sequences, if present, are amplified and detected.

Abstract: A real time Taq-Man PCR assay for detecting multiple serotypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) wherein the number of serotypes detected exceeds the number of colorimetric channels for detection. A biological sample is combined with three oligonucleotide primer/probe sets such that the probes and primers anneal to a target sequence. Each primer/probe set is at least preferential for a specific serotype of an organism. The first and second primer/probe sets are degenerate with respect to each other. The third primer/probe set is not degenerate with respect to the first and second primer/probe sets and discriminates for a third serotype. The third primer/probe set has a signal moiety that emits signal at a wavelength that is the same or different from the wavelength emitted by the signal moiety of the degenerate primer/probe set probes. The target sequences, if present, are amplified and detected.

Abstract: A region of the Chlamydia trachomatis cytotoxin gene has been identified which is useful for performing amplification assays to determine specifically whether C. trachomatis is present in the sample being tested. Oligonucleotides useful for performing thermal Strand Displacement Assay (tSDA) reactions on this gene are disclosed. The disclosed oligonucleotides can be used in an assay which is specific for multiple strains of C. trachomatis and which does not show cross reactivity with the genomes of other microorganisms or with human DNA.

Abstract: A region of the Trichomonas vaginalis AP65-1 gene has been identified which is useful for performing amplification assays to determine specifically whether T. vaginalis is present in the sample being tested. Oligonucleotides useful for performing thermal Strand Displacement Assay (tSDA) reactions on this gene are disclosed. The disclosed oligonucleotides can be used in an assay which is specific for multiple strains of T. vaginalis and which does not show cross reactivity with the genomes of other microorganisms or with human DNA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of ensuring the effectiveness of the extraction workup from a biological sample of nucleic acid. The inventive method is able to distinguish between possible defects in the extraction of nucleic acid from a sample and possible defects in a subsequent amplification step. The present invention also relates to a packaged array for extracting nucleic acid from a biological sample.

Abstract: A real time Taq-Man PCR assay for detecting multiple serotypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) wherein the number of serotypes detected exceeds the number of colorimetric channels for detection. A biological sample is combined with three oligonucleotide primer/probe sets such that the probes and primers anneal to a target sequence. Each primer/probe set is at least preferential for a specific serotype of an organism. The first and second primer/probe sets are degenerate with respect to each other. The third primer/probe set is not degenerate with respect to the first and second primer/probe sets and discriminates for a third serotype. The third primer/probe set has a signal moiety that emits signal at a wavelength that is the same or different from the wavelength emitted by the signal moiety of the degenerate primer/probe set probes. The target sequences, if present, are amplified and detected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of ensuring the effectiveness of the extraction workup from a biological sample of nucleic acid. The inventive method is able to distinguish between possible defects in the extraction of nucleic acid from a sample and possible defects in a subsequent amplification step. The present invention also relates to a packaged array for extracting nucleic acid from a biological sample.

Abstract: A method includes providing a sample containing at least one whole, intact particle or organism in a container; creating a mixture comprising the sample, at least one magnetically-responsive particle, and a remainder; and providing the mixture with a pH of less than about 7.0. By providing the mixture with a pH of less than about 7.0, alteration of the surface charge properties of at least the one magnetic particle occurs, thereby causing the at least one whole, intact particle or organism to become non-specifically bound to the at least one magnetically-responsive particle to form a complex.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of ensuring the effectiveness of the extraction workup from a biological sample of nucleic acid. The inventive method is able to distinguish between possible defects in the extraction of nucleic acid from a sample and possible defects in a subsequent amplification step. The present invention also relates to a packaged array for extracting nucleic acid from a biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preserving cells and nucleic acids in a sample by exposing the sample to a composition that causes an inhibitory affect on proteolytic agents and/or nucleic acid degradative agents in the sample. Such compositions that are useful in the method of the present invention include chelating agents such as sodium citrate, sodium borate, sodium fluoride and EDTA, that will bind trace metals necessary for proteolytic activity of proteolytic agents and/or nuclease activity of nuclease agents in a sample.

Abstract: A method includes providing a sample containing at least one whole, intact particle or organism in a container; creating a mixture comprising the sample, at least one magnetically-responsive particle, and a remainder; and providing the mixture with a pH of less than about 7.0. By providing the mixture with a pH of less than about 7.0, alteration of the surface charge properties of at least the one magnetic particle occurs, thereby causing the at least one whole, intact particle or organism to become non-specifically bound to the at least one magnetically-responsive particle to form a complex.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of ensuring the effectiveness of the extraction workup from a biological sample of nucleic acid. The inventive method is able to distinguish between possible defects in the extraction of nucleic acid from a sample and possible defects in a subsequent amplification step. The present invention also relates to a packaged array for extracting nucleic acid from a biological sample.

Abstract: Primers and probes derived from the 5′ untranslated region of the HCV genome which facilitate detection and/or quantification of all presently known genotypes of HCV. Disclosed sequences may be used in a variety of primer and probe constructs for amplification and/or detection of HCV nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preserving cells and nucleic acids in a sample by exposing the sample to a composition that causes an inhibitory affect on proteolytic agents and/or nucleic acid degradative agents in the sample. Such compositions that are useful in the method of the present invention include chelating agents such as sodium citrate, sodium borate, sodium fluoride and EDTA, that will bind trace metals necessary for proteolytic activity of proteolytic agents and/or nuclease activity of nuclease agents in a sample.

Abstract: Primers and probes derived from the 5′ untranslated region of the HCV genome which facilitate detection and/or quantification of all presently known genotypes of HCV. Disclosed sequences may be used in a variety of primer and probe constructs for amplification and/or detection of HCV nucleic acids.