Abstract: Methods for diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease and ulcerative colitis using miRNA biomarkers for these diseases are provided. Differential expression of the miRNA biomarkers in blood fractions, e.g., platelets, of diseased individuals as compared to expression levels in normal individuals indicates the presence of IBD or ulcerative colitis. Also provided are microarrays for use in the diagnostic methods, wherein the features of the microarray consist essentially of nucleic acid sequences that hybridize to the miRNA biomarkers and normalization controls.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease and ulcerative colitis using miRNA biomarkers for these diseases are provided. Differential expression of the miRNA biomarkers in blood fractions, e.g., platelets, of diseased individuals as compared to expression levels in normal individuals indicates the presence of IBD or ulcerative colitis. Also provided are microarrays for use in the diagnostic methods, wherein the features of the microarray consist essentially of nucleic acid sequences that hybridize to the miRNA biomarkers and normalization controls.

Abstract: A method of separating DNA molecules by gel electrophoresis is disclosed which employs alternate application of high and low strength electric fields in opposite directions to a gel matrix containing DNA. The high strength field is maintained for a shorter interval than the low strength field, and the ratio of the product of the low strength field and its pulse interval to the product of the high strength field and its pulse interval is greater than 4:1 and sufficient to produce a net migration of the DNA molecules in the direction of the low strength field.