Abstract: Indicator master mix for performing nucleic acid amplification assays to detect and visually identify the presence or absence of target or template DNA or RNA sequences. The indicator master mix comprises (i) a human readable, substantially hydrophobic nucleic-acid based indicator and (ii) a solvent configured to solubilize the substantially hydrophobic nucleic-acid based indicator, such as DMSO. The relative amount of nucleic-acid based indicator to solvent is within the range of (i) about 0.01 gm nucleic-acid based indictor/gm solvent to (ii) about 0.05 gm nucleic-acid based indicator/gm solvent. The master mix is configured to perform the nucleic acid amplification assay to detect and visually identify the presence or absence of the target or template DNA or RNA sequence, and the substantially hydrophobic nucleic-acid based indicator is visually detectable by a human eye to indicate the presence or absence of the target or template DNA or RNA sequence.

Abstract: A device for amplifying and detecting nucleic acids in a biological sample has a sample port for receiving a biological sample, a solid-state membrane, a sample conduit, a lysis station, a wash station, an elution station, a waste chamber, and a reaction chamber. The sample port, lysis station and sample conduit are configured to mix a sample and lysis agent to form a sample-lysis mixture, pass the mixture across the solid-state membrane to capture nucleic acids in the sample therein, and receive the remainder of the mixture in the waste chamber. The wash station directs a wash solution across the solid-state membrane and into the waste chamber to purify nucleic acids captured in the membrane. The elution station directs an eluent across the membrane, elutes captured nucleic acids from the membrane, and passes the captured nucleic acids into the reaction chamber for amplifying and detecting the captured nucleic acids.

Abstract: A formulation for collecting a biological sample of saliva or nasal fluid and capturing nucleic acids in the collected sample has non-toxic chaotropic agents, ethanol, and coloring and/or flavoring agents. The formulation is receivable within an oral cavity or nasal cavity to collect the sample and the non-toxic chaotropic agent(s) lyse the sample cells. A device has a sample port for receiving the sample-containing formulation and a solid-state membrane in fluid communication with the sample port. A first pump causes the sample-containing formulation to flow across the solid-state membrane and into a waste chamber. The ethanol binds nucleic acids in the lysed cells of the sample to the solid-state membrane. A second pump causes the eluent to flow from an eluent chamber across the membrane, elute captured nucleic acids from the membrane, and flow with the captured nucleic acids into an eluent reservoir.

Abstract: A device for detecting nucleic acids in a biological sample has a sample port, a lysis station and a sample conduit configured to mix a sample and lysis agent to form a sample-lysis mixture, pass the sample-lysis mixture across a solid-state membrane to capture nucleic acids in the biological sample therein, and receive the remainder of the sample-lysis mixture in a waste chamber. The wash station is configured to introduce the wash solution following the sample-lysis mixture, pass the wash solution across the solid-state membrane to purify nucleic acids captured therein, and receive the wash solution from the solid-state membrane in the waste chamber. The elution station is configured to pass the eluent across the solid-state membrane, elute captured nucleic acids from the solid-state membrane, and pass the captured nucleic acids into one or more reaction chambers for amplifying and detecting the captured nucleic acids.

Abstract: A device for amplifying and detecting nucleic acids in a biological sample has a sample port for receiving a biological sample, a solid-state membrane, a sample conduit, a lysis station, a wash station, an elution station, a waste chamber, and a reaction chamber. The sample port, lysis station and sample conduit are configured to mix a sample and lysis agent to form a sample-lysis mixture, pass the mixture across the solid-state membrane to capture nucleic acids in the sample therein, and receive the remainder of the mixture in the waste chamber. The wash station directs a wash solution across the solid-state membrane and into the waste chamber to purify nucleic acids captured in the membrane. The elution station directs an eluent across the membrane, elutes captured nucleic acids from the membrane, and passes the captured nucleic acids into the reaction chamber for amplifying and detecting the captured nucleic acids.

Abstract: A three-dimensional, non-crosslinked, linear or branched graft polymer matrix suitable for microassays comprises one or more active chemical moieties having inherent specificity for binding to a chemical, biochemical, or biological probe or target, the moieties being permanently attached to and distributed throughout the graft polymer matrix, optionally including one or more probes.