Abstract: The invention is based in part on the discovery that chromosomal disorders such as Down Syndrome can be diagnosed by assessing maternal mitochondrial status. Thus the invention relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods and related products for chromosomal disorders such as Downs Syndrome, for example, for identifying a risk of fetal Downs Syndrome and methods of mitigating that risk. The methods also are useful for other therapies where it is desirable to manipulate mitochondria such as tissue generation.

Abstract: Abstract: The invention is based in part on the discovery that chromosomal disorders such as Down Syndrome can be diagnosed by assessing maternal mitochondrial status. Thus the invention relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods and related products for chromosomal disorders such as Downs Syndrome, for example, for identifying a risk of fetal Downs syndrome and methods of mitigating that risk. The methods also re useful for other therapies where it is desirable to manipulate mitochondria such as tissue generation.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to methods of monitoring mycoplasmal growth whereby a culture of mycoplasmal cells is contacted with a fluorescent nucleic acid-binding agent under conditions which allow the agent to selectively bind to mycoplasmal nucleic acid. The amount of fluorescence associated with the mycoplasmal nucleic acid indicates the number of mycoplasmal cells in the culture. The fluorescence of the culture is typically read using a fluorometer which correlates with colonial growth on agar. A particularly preferred fluorescent nucleic acid-binding agent is ethidium bromide. The present invention further pertains to methods of determining the effectiveness of an antimycoplasmal antibiotic.