Abstract: A multi-layer plasma separation card comprising (a) a first layer including a sample receiving member comprising (i) a top planar surface for applying or receiving a blood sample, said sample receiving portion being adapted to permit contact of said blood sample with a separating member; and (ii) a bottom planar surface being adapted to contact said separating member, (b) a second layer including at least three separating members, each separating member being adapted to permit the passage of plasma to an absorptive member and comprising (i) a top planar surface for receiving said blood sample; and (ii) a bottom planar shield-shaped surface being adapted to contact said absorptive member, and (c) a third layer including at least two absorptive members for absorbing plasma from the bottom planar surface of each corresponding separating member and a backing member arranged in a manner to support said absorptive members, each absorptive member comprising a removable absorptive element having a top planar surface

Abstract: A multi-layer plasma separation card comprising (a) a first layer including a sample receiving member comprising (i) a top planar surface for applying or receiving a blood sample, said sample receiving portion being adapted to permit contact of said blood sample with a separating member; and (ii) a bottom planar surface being adapted to contact said separating member, (b) a second layer including at least three separating members, each separating member being adapted to permit the passage of plasma to an absorptive member and comprising (i) a top planar surface for receiving said blood sample; and (ii) a bottom planar shield-shaped surface being adapted to contact said absorptive member, and (c) a third layer including at least two absorptive members for absorbing plasma from the bottom planar surface of each corresponding separating member and a backing member arranged in a manner to support said absorptive members, each absorptive member comprising a removable absorptive element having a top planar surface

Abstract: Methods for the rapid detection of the presence or absence of a single-base deletion in the tcdC gene of Clostridium difficile in a biological or nonbiological sample are described. The methods can include performing an amplifying step, a hybridizing step, and a detecting step. Furthermore, primers, probes, and kits are provided that are designed for the detection of the single-base deletion.

Abstract: Methods and kits for joining fragmented nucleic acid sequences together are provided, including performing an amplifying step including contacting a sample suspected of including a fragmented target nucleic acid with a pair of external primers and a pair of self-complementary internal primers, and generating a full length target nucleic acid. The methods can include performing an amplifying step, a hybridizing step, and a detecting step. Furthermore, kits are provided that are designed for the detection of a target nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: A method is provided for allele-specific amplification, utilizing a blocking oligonucleotide including at least one nucleotide with a base covalently modified at the exocyclic amino group, the blocking oligonucleotide being perfectly complementary to a wild type (WT) sequence when hybridized forming a first complex having a first melting temperature (Tm), the blocking oligonucleotide being partially non-complementary, at one or more nucleotides, to a target mutant (MT) sequence when hybridized forming a second complex having a second melting temperature (Tm), wherein the first Tm is higher than the second Tm and having at least one nucleotide with a base covalently modified at the exocyclic amino group, wherein the blocking oligonucleotide becomes unhybridized from the target MT sequence during amplification but remains hybridized with the WT sequence inhibiting amplification of the WT sequence utilizing a polymerase lacking 5?-3? nuclease activity.

Abstract: Photoblocked probes are disclosed including a specific hydrolysis probe having a first nucleic acid sequence complementary to a target having a second nucleic acid sequence, a first and a second interactive labels, a 5? end and a 3? end, and one or more photocleavable moieties coupled to one or more nucleotides of the specific hydrolysis probe, wherein the photocleaveable moiety interferes with the hybridization of the specific hydrolysis probe with the region of the amplification product. Also disclosed are PCR methods for the detection of the presence or absence of a target nucleic acid in a sample utilizing the photoblocked probes, as well as kits.

Abstract: Methods and kits for joining fragmented nucleic acid sequences together are provided, including performing an amplifying step including contacting a sample suspected of including a fragmented target nucleic acid with a pair of external primers and a pair of self-complementary internal primers, and generating a full length target nucleic acid. The methods can include performing an amplifying step, a hybridizing step, and a detecting step. Furthermore, kits are provided that are designed for the detection of a target nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of allele-specific amplification, utilizing an allele-specific oligonucleotide, at least partially complementary to more than one variant of the target sequence, but having a 3?-terminal nucleotide complementary to only one variant of the target sequence and having at least one nucleotide with a base covalently modified at the exocyclic amino group, wherein the allele-specific oligonucleotide is extended by a nucleotide-incorporating biocatalyst predominantly when hybridized to the variant of the target sequence for which it has said complementary 3?-terminal nucleotide.

Abstract: Alkyl amines act to release formaldehyde cross-linking that occurs in biological samples. Thus, contacting alkyl amines to formaldehyde fixed samples is a useful way to render biological components of the samples, including nucleic acids or proteins, more accessible to detection and characterization.

Abstract: A method is provided for allele-specific amplification, utilizing a blocking oligonucleotide including at least one nucleotide with a base covalently modified at the exocyclic amino group, the blocking oligonucleotide being perfectly complementary to a wild type (WT) sequence when hybridized forming a first complex having a first melting temperature (Tm), the blocking oligonucleotide being partially non-complementary, at one or more nucleotides, to a target mutant (MT) sequence when hybridized forming a second complex having a second melting temperature (Tm), wherein the first Tm is higher than the second Tm and having at least one nucleotide with a base covalently modified at the exocyclic amino group, wherein the blocking oligonucleotide becomes unhybridized from the target MT sequence during amplification but remains hybridized with the WT sequence inhibiting amplification of the WT sequence utilizing a polymerase lacking 5?-3? nuclease activity.

Abstract: Photoblocked probes are disclosed including a specific hydrolysis probe having a first nucleic acid sequence complementary to a target having a second nucleic acid sequence, a first and a second interactive labels, a 5? end and a 3? end, and one or more photocleavable moieties coupled to one or more nucleotides of the specific hydrolysis probe, wherein the photocleaveable moiety interferes with the hybridization of the specific hydrolysis probe with the region of the amplification product. Also disclosed are PCR methods for the detection of the presence or absence of a target nucleic acid in a sample utilizing the photoblocked probes, as well as kits.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the amplification of at least a first and a second target nucleic acid that may be present in at least one fluid sample using an internal control nucleic acid for qualitative and/or quantitative purposes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the amplification of at least a first and a second target nucleic acid that may be present in a fluid sample. The invention further provides a kit and an analytical system for carrying out said amplification.

Abstract: The invention provides, inter alia, novel probes, methods, reaction mixtures, and kits for detecting the presence or absence of a target nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of allele-specific amplification, utilizing an allele-specific oligonucleotide, at least partially complementary to more than one variant of the target sequence, but having a 3?-terminal nucleotide complementary to only one variant of the target sequence and having at least one nucleotide with a base covalently modified at the exocyclic amino group, wherein the allele-specific oligonucleotide is extended by a nucleotide-incorporating biocatalyst predominantly when hybridized to the variant of the target sequence for which it has said complementary 3?-terminal nucleotide.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the amplification of at least a first and a second target nucleic acid that may be present in at least one fluid sample using an internal control nucleic acid for qualitative and/or quantitative purposes.

Abstract: Alkyl amines act to release formaldehyde cross-linking that occurs in biological samples. Thus, contacting alkyl amines to formaldehyde fixed samples is a useful way to render biological components of the samples, including nucleic acids or proteins, more accessible to detection and characterization.

Abstract: Alkyl amines act to release formaldehyde cross-linking that occurs in biological samples. Thus, contacting alkyl amines to formaldehyde fixed samples is a useful way to render biological components of the samples, including nucleic acids or proteins, more accessible to detection and characterization.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the amplification of at least a first and a second target nucleic acid that may be present in at least one fluid sample using an internal control nucleic acid for qualitative and/or quantitative purposes.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of allele-specific amplification, utilizing an allele-specific oligonucleotide, at least partially complementary to more than one variant of the target sequence, but having a 3?-terminal nucleotide complementary to only one variant of the target sequence and having at least one nucleotide with a base covalently modified at the exocyclic amino group, wherein the allele-specific oligonucleotide is extended by a nucleotide-incorporating biocatalyst predominantly when hybridized to the variant of the target sequence for which it has said complementary 3?-terminal nucleotide.