CONTROLS FOR PRIMERS IN MULTIPLEX AMPLIFICATION REACTIONS
Granted: November 20, 2008
Application Number:
20080286798
The present invention provides methods and compositions for confirming the integrity of primers and other components of amplification reactions, including multiplex amplification reactions.
Thermal cycler with optical detector
Granted: October 16, 2008
Application Number:
20080254532
A reaction vessel having a reaction chamber for holding a sample is fabricated by producing a housing having a rigid frame defining the minor walls of the chamber. The housing also defines a port for introducing fluid into the chamber. At least one sheet or film is attached to the rigid frame to form at least one major wall of the chamber. In preferred embodiments, two sheets or films are attached to opposite sides of the rigid frame to form two opposing major walls of the chamber, the…
METHODS, APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAMS FOR VERIFYING THE INTEGRITY OF A PROBE
Granted: September 18, 2008
Application Number:
20080227090
The present invention provides methods, apparatuses and computer programs for verifying the integrity of a probe by comparing the fluorescence value of a probe to a threshold value. The invention also provides for methods, apparatuses and computer programs for normalizing the fluorescence value of a probe and detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample.
Universal and Target Specific Reagent Beads for Nucleic Acid Amplification
Granted: August 14, 2008
Application Number:
20080193946
The present invention relates to methods and compositions providing optimized reaction conditions for nucleic acid amplification reactions and for methods and compositions that reduce contamination of amplification reactions during set up.
Device for extracting nucleic acid from a sample
Granted: March 6, 2008
Application Number:
20080057572
The present invention provides a cartridge for analyzing a fluid sample. The cartridge provides for the efficient separation of cells or viruses in the sample from the remaining sample fluid, lysis of the cells or viruses to release the analyte (e.g., nucleic acid) therefrom, and optionally chemical reaction and/or detection of the analyte. The cartridge is useful in a variety of diagnostic, life science research, environmental, or forensic applications for determining the presence or…
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SEQUENTIAL AMPLIFICATION REACTIONS
Granted: February 14, 2008
Application Number:
20080038737
The invention provides methods and apparatus for carrying out multiple amplification reactions in a single reaction chamber by successive cycles of loading reaction mixture, amplifying, and removing spent reaction mixture in a fluidly closed reaction system. In particular, the present invention allows amplification of a plurality of target polynucleotides from a single sample by carrying out under closed-loop control successive amplifications of different target polynucleotides from…
METHODS, APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAMS FOR VERIFYING THE INTEGRITY OF A PROBE
Granted: November 8, 2007
Application Number:
20070259362
The present invention provides methods, apparatuses and computer programs for verifying the integrity of a probe by comparing the fluorescence value of a probe to a threshold value. The invention also provides for methods, apparatuses and computer programs for normalizing the fluorescence value of a probe and detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample.
Method and apparatus for storing and dispensing reagent beads
Granted: December 7, 2006
Application Number:
20060275178
Embodiments of the invention provide an efficient and effective technique for storing and dispensing reagent beads. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for dispensing reagent beads contained in a bead storage device which includes a bead carrier having a plurality of wells; a plurality of reagent beads disposed in the wells; and a cover tape releasably attached to the bead carrier to cover the wells and retain the reagent beads in the wells. The apparatus comprises a channel in…
Polar dyes
Granted: October 12, 2006
Application Number:
20060229441
The present invention relates to novel polar fluorescent and quenchers dyes, and minor groove binder with enhanced polarity. The present invention further relates to methods of preparing oligonucleotide probes labeled with polar arsonate dyes under the condition of automated synthesis and method of using such probes.
Closed-system multi-stage nucleic acid amplification reactions
Granted: August 10, 2006
Application Number:
20060177844
The invention is directed to systems, methods, and apparatus for carrying out multi-stage amplification reactions, especially under fluidly closed conditions. In one aspect, methods of the invention are carried out in a fluidly closed reaction system that permits the isolation of a portion of a first (or prior) reaction mixture and its use as a sample or specimen in a second (or subsequent) reaction mixture, thereby substantially avoiding interfering effects that first reaction…
Cap for vessel for performing multi-stage process
Granted: August 3, 2006
Application Number:
20060169708
Embodiments of the invention provide a cap for a vessel for performing a multi-stage process for analyzing a sample, such as nested PCR or RT-PCR. In one embodiment, the cap comprises a body configured to be mated to the vessel to enclose a vessel interior, a cap cavity for holding reagents, and a cap cavity control portion that is adjustable with respect to the body between a first-stage position in which the cap cavity is enclosed and fluidicly isolated from the vessel interior and a…
Universal and target specific reagent beads for nucleic acid amplification
Granted: March 30, 2006
Application Number:
20060068398
The present invention relates to methods and compositions providing optimized reaction conditions for nucleic acid amplification reactions and for methods and compositions that reduce contamination of amplification reactions during set up.
Multiple bead reagent system for protein based assays with optimized matrices
Granted: March 30, 2006
Application Number:
20060068399
The invention provides a multi-bead assay system for a protein based assay comprising at least two different beads. The first bead comprises protein and a protein stabilization matrix. The first bead forms a first solution when dissolved in liquid, and the first solution permits a first activity level for the assay. The second bead comprises a potentiation bead matrix that when dissolved in the first solution forms a second solution that potentiates the protein based assay to achieve a…
Apparatus and method for cell disruption
Granted: February 9, 2006
Application Number:
20060027686
An apparatus for disrupting cells or viruses comprises a container having a chamber for holding the cells or viruses. The container includes at least one flexible wall defining the chamber. The apparatus also includes a transducer for impacting an external surface of the flexible wall to generate pressure waves in the chamber. The apparatus also includes a pressure source for increasing the pressure in the chamber. The pressurization of the chamber ensures effective coupling between the…
Apparatus and method for cell disruption
Granted: January 26, 2006
Application Number:
20060019379
An apparatus for disrupting cells or viruses comprises a container having a chamber for holding the cells or viruses. The container includes at least one flexible wall defining the chamber. The apparatus also includes a transducer for impacting an external surface of the flexible wall to generate pressure waves in the chamber. The apparatus also includes a pressure source for increasing the pressure in the chamber. The pressurization of the chamber ensures effective coupling between the…
Apparatus for analysis of a nucleic acid amplification reaction
Granted: January 19, 2006
Application Number:
20060014200
An apparatus for determining a threshold value (e.g., a threshold cycle number or a time value) in a nucleic acid amplification reaction comprises a detection mechanism for measuring, at a plurality of different times during the amplification reaction, at least one signal whose intensity is related to the quantity of a nucleic acid sequence being amplified in the reaction. A controller in communication with the detection mechanism is programmed to store signal values defining a growth…
Method for quantitative analysis of a nucleic acid amplification reaction
Granted: November 17, 2005
Application Number:
20050255516
A method for determining an unknown starting quantity of a target nucleic acid sequence in a test sample comprises the steps of amplifying the unknown starting quantity of the target nucleic acid sequence in the test sample and known starting quantities of a calibration nucleic acid sequence in respective calibration samples; and determining a respective threshold value for each of the nucleic acid sequences using a derivative of a growth curve derived for the sequence. The starting…
Method and device for sample preparation control
Granted: November 3, 2005
Application Number:
20050244837
A method for preparing a sample suspected to contain a target nucleic acid sequence for a nucleic acid amplification reaction and for verifying the effectiveness of the sample preparation comprises the step of mixing the sample with sample preparation controls. The sample preparation controls are cells, spores, microorganisms, or viruses that contain a marker nucleic acid sequence. The sample mixed with the sample preparation controls is subjected to a lysis treatment, and nucleic acid…
Method for separating analyte from a sample
Granted: September 8, 2005
Application Number:
20050194316
An analyte is separated from a fluid sample by introducing the sample into a cartridge having a sample port and a first flow path extending from the sample port. The first flow path includes an extraction chamber containing a solid support for capturing the analyte from the sample. The cartridge has a second flow path for eluting the captured analyte from the extraction chamber, the second flow diverging from the first flow path after passing through the extraction chamber. The sample is…
Universal control for nucleic acid amplification
Granted: May 5, 2005
Application Number:
20050095603
The present invention provides a universal internal control system that can be used in a wide variety of amplification reactions, and compositions and methods for performing amplification reactions of nucleic acids.
