Abstract: A method and a test kit for rapid detection of specific nucleic acid sequences, especially for detection of mutations or single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in which the detection reaction takes place in two steps. The first step involves the target-specific amplification reaction, coupled with the probe-hybridization reaction using fluorescence-labeled allele-specific amplification primers. In the second step, the fluorescence is detected by means of commercial fluorescence readers. Genotyping is carried out from the ratio of the end-point fluorescence of the samples and negative controls.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods and formulations of buffers used for isolating, purifying, and recovering long-chain and short-chain nucleic acids. The areas of application of the inventive method include all laboratories engaged in isolating nucleic acids. In one embodiment a solution containing a nucleic acid is prepared with additives containing monovalent and multivalent cations and, optionally, an alcohol and/or additional additives. The solution is contacted with a solid phase, the solid phase is optionally washed, and the nucleic acid is removed. The solution may contain multivalent and/or monovalent cations and may contain an alcohol. The solution in certain embodiments has a pH between 7 and 10. Ammonium chloride, sodium chloride and/or potassium chloride may be used as monovalent salt components. Magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, zinc chloride and/or manganese chloride may be used as multivalent salt components.

Abstract: Parallel isolation of a double-stranded nucleic acid and a single-stranded nucleic acid is possible from a sample that contains these acids, without separating the acids, by mixing the sample with a lysis buffer having high salt concentration or low salt concentration, or having a proteolytic enzyme. The sample that contains nucleic acid before its lysis, or the sample that has already been lysed or homogenized, is adjusted with a binding buffer in such a manner that the total nucleic acid is adsorbed onto a solid carrier. The binding buffer contains at least one non-ionic detergent in a high concentration. With the exception of the detergent, the sample contains no other non-acidic organic component miscible in water. The carrier with the adsorbed total nucleic acid is removed. The adsorbed total nucleic acid is washed and eluted.

Abstract: A method for i) parallel isolation of a double-stranded and/or a single-stranded nucleic acid and/or ii) selective removal of a double-stranded nucleic acid from a mixture of a double-stranded and a single-stranded nucleic acid or from a source comprising a double-stranded and a single-stranded nucleic acid includes absorbing the double-stranded nucleic acid onto a first solid carrier, while the single-stranded nucleic acid is not adsorbed and remains in solution, removing the first carrier with the adsorbed nucleic acid from the solution, mixing the solution comprising the single-stranded nucleic acid with an alcoholic solution having a concentration of 1 to 90 vol.-%, and contacting the resulting solution with second solid carrier, to absorb the single-stranded nucleic acid onto the second solid carrier.

Abstract: A reaction unit containing a bottom part and a top part for pipetting a liquid, wherein the bottom part contains a reaction cavity with a permeable filter grid insert and the top part contains a reaction cavity which can be fixed on said bottom part and contains a cavity or covering for receiving a magnet.

Abstract: Long- and/or short-chain nucleic acids are separated, purified and recovered by binding the nucleic acid to a solid phase using a binding buffer, to obtain a bonded nucleic acid, and eluting of the bonded nucleic acid from the solid phase, wherein the binding buffer comprises at least one citric acid salt and at least one alcohol.

Abstract: A composition suitable for the isolation of a nucleic acid from a material containing the nucleic acid contains at least one buffer with a chaotropic component; at least one proteolytic enzyme; at least one buffer with an non-chaotropic component; at least one alcoholic component; and a detergent.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel formulations of buffers used for isolating, purifying and recovering long-chain and short-chain nucleic acids. The areas of application of the inventive method include all laboratories engaged in isolating nucleic acids, such as laboratories used in forensic medicine, food diagnosis, medical diagnosis, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetic engineering and all other related fields. The inventive method is characterized in that the solution containing the nucleic acid is prepared with additives whereby containing monovalent and multivalent cations as well as an alcohol and, optionally, additional additives. The solution is subsequently brought into contact with the solid phase, whereupon the support is optionally washed, and the nucleic acid is removed from the solid phase or the solution optionally contains multivalent and/or monovalent cations, optionally one alcohol, and optionally contains additional additives, and a specific pH value is set between 7 and 10.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting increased susceptibility to tumours by specifically detecting a polymorphism in the position 354 A ? G in the exon 12 of the human murine double minute-2 (MDM2) gene. Said polymorphism represents a hereditary marker for increased risk of cancer in humans. The invention also relates to the use of said tumour susceptibility marker for developing in vitro and in vivo test systems which integrate said markers, in a specific manner, into diagnostic, prognostic and possibly therapeutic methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new multiwell filtration plate for high throughput applications in nucleic acid technology, preferably in a 96-well or 384-well format, consisting of two individual parts, which are firmly and tightly connected together. The upper part of the plate is a sample holder 1 for holding a sample to be filtered. The lower part of the plate is an outlet part with a filter insert for receiving a sample from the sample holder part and filtering the, sample through the filter insert.

Abstract: The subject of the invention are formulations not containing chaotropic components for isolating nucleic acids with binding to a solid phase, in particular of DNA, from optional complex starting materials and quantities containing a lysis/binding buffer system which comprises at least one antichaotropic salt component, a solid phase and wash and elution buffers known as such. The lysis/binding buffer system may be an aqueous solution or a solid formulation in reaction vessels ready for use. All carriers used for isolation by means of chaotropic reagents, preferably glass fiber mats, glass membranes, silica carriers, ceramics, zeolites or materials showing negatively functionalised surfaces or chemically modified surfaces which may be converted to a negative charge potential may serve as a solid phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a material for the complex manipulation of nucleic acids as a platform technology for developing integrative, fully automatic systems for nucleic acid analysis. The inventive support material for complex nucleic acid analysis is characterised in that at least one covalently bonded layer is located on the surface, said layer bearing at least two different functional groups which are statistically distributed on the surface. At least one of the functional groups is negatively charged and at least one other functional group is positively charged or chemically reactive or has both of these properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to surface-modified supporting materials for binding biological materials, wherein the surface of said materials carries negatively charged functional groups.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to detect clinically relevant mutations of the DNA sequence of the KI-ras oncogene in stool DNA, its use and a testkit based thereon for early diagnosis of tumors, especially tumors of the pancreas and the colon. According to the invention, the method of detection is distinguished by extraction of genomic DNA from stool samples in a series of cleaning operations designed to eliminate inhibitor substances, and by base-complementary hybridization reaction by adding six different oligonucleotides with a defined complementarity to the clinically relevant mutated sequence fragments of the KI-ras gene.

Abstract: The subject of the invention are formulations not containing chaotropic components for isolating nucleic acids with binding to a solid phase, in particular of DNA, from optional complex starting materials and quantities containing a lysis/binding buffer system which comprises at least one antichaotropic salt component, a solid phase and wash and elution buffers known as such. The lysis/binding buffer system may be an aqueous solution or a solid formulation in reaction vessels ready for use. All carriers used for isolation by means of chaotropic reagents, preferably glass fiber mats, glass membranes, silica carriers, ceramics, zeolites or materials showing negatively functionalised surfaces or chemically modified surfaces which may be converted to a negative charge potential may serve as a solid phase.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for a simultaneous multiple isolation and purification of nucleic acids from biological material based on binding nucleic acid to mineral carrier particles. The device includes a square-shaped plastic case, a shaking apparatus with sample vessels, and a shielding for the motor and shaking apparatus.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and device for the rapid, simultaneous isolation of genomic desoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and cellular total ribonucleic acid (RNA), free of genomic DNA from various starting materials. The fields of application are molecular biology, biochemistry, gene technology (in particular gene therapy), medicine, biomedical diagnosis, veterinary medicine, food analysis and all related fields. The method proposed is characterized in that materials containing DNA and RNA are lysed in a special buffer, the lysate incubated with a mineral carrier, the carrier with the DNA bound to it separated off and washed with buffer solution, and the DNA subsequently separated from the carrier with a buffer of lower salt concentration. The lysate left after separating off the DNA bound to the carrier is mixed with phenol, chloroform and sodium acetate in defined proportions, the phases allowed to separate, and the total RNA precipitated from the aqueous phase by adding isopropanol.

Abstract: A universal process is disclosed for extracting and purifying nucleic acids from extremely small amounts of highly contaminated various biological and other starting materials. The invention has applications in forensic medicine, medical diagnosis, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetic technology and all related fields. The process is characterized in that nucleic acid-containing materials are lysed, the lysate is incubated with a non-porous, non-structured, highly disperse, homogeneous and chemically pure SiO.sub.2 substrate, the substrate is isolated with the bound nucleic acids and washed with a buffer solution, then the nucleic acids are dissolved from the substrate by a buffer with a lower salt concentration. Lysis of the material and nucleic acid immobilization are preferably carried out in a reaction vessel. The substrate particles have a size of 7-40 nm, preferably 40 nm, and a specific surface from 50-300 g/m.sup.2, preferably 50 g/m.sup.2.