The disclosure is directed to methods, kits, and compositions, for amplifying and detecting a human hepatitis C virus (HCV) in a sample, which comprises a variety of combinations of forward oligonucleotide primers, reverse oligonucleotide primers, and oligonucleotide probes.

Methods and techniques to increase the reliability of detecting virus infections, particularly lymphotropism, to eliminate false negative reactions in testing blood for the presence of lymphotropic viruses during enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, and to better detect viruses with lymphotropism in biological materials having a concentration of virus particles lower than the sensitivity threshold of existing EIA and PCR methods, thereby making the techniques of the present invention more reliable.

The present disclosure relates to nucleic acid-scaffolded catalytic systems. In one embodiment, a nucleic acid-scaffolded catalytic system may include a nucleic acid catalyst composed of a first nucleic acid strand and, optionally, a second nucleic acid strand. The nucleic acid catalyst may further include a first reactive moiety attached to the first nucleic acid strand, and a second moiety attached to the first nucleic acid strand or the second nucleic acid strand. A catalytic activity of the first reactive moiety may be dependent on a distance between the first reactive moiety and the second moiety. The system may further include an analyte that binds to the nucleic acid catalyst to trigger a switch in the catalytic activity of the first reactive moiety by altering the distance between the first reactive moiety and the second moiety.

Provided are methods for labeling target molecules, such as nucleic acids, with fluorescent dye compounds having the formula

##STR00001##

One method embodiment includes contacting reactive group Z of the fluorescent dye compound with the target molecule such that reactive group Z reacts with the target molecule to form a covalent bond between the group and the target molecule. Another method embodiment includes contacting a fluorescent dye compound that further includes a first member of a binding pair, with a target molecule that includes a second member of the binding pair. Also provided are target molecules labeled with the fluorescent dye compounds.

The invention is related to identification of an interferon-analog (IFNL4) protein and genetic association with spontaneous clearance of HCV infection and response to treatment for HCV infection.

Methods and techniques to increase the reliability of detecting virus infections, particularly lymphotropism, to eliminate false negative reactions in testing blood for the presence of lymphotropic viruses during enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, and to better detect viruses with lymphotropism in biological materials having a concentration of virus particles lower than the sensitivity threshold of existing EIA and PCR methods, thereby making the techniques of the present invention more reliable.

Provided are methods for labeling target molecules, such as nucleic acids, with fluorescent dye compounds having the formula ##STR00001##
One method embodiment includes contacting reactive group Z of the fluorescent dye compound with the target molecule such that reactive group Z reacts with the target molecule to form a covalent bond between the group and the target molecule. Another method embodiment includes contacting a fluorescent dye compound that further includes a first member of a binding pair, with a target molecule that includes a second member of the binding pair. Also provided are target molecules labeled with the fluorescent dye compounds.

Disclosed are nucleic acid oligomers, including amplification oligomers, capture probes, and detection probes, for detection of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) nucleic acid. Also disclosed are methods of specific nucleic acid amplification and detection using the disclosed oligomers, as well as corresponding reaction mixtures and kits.

Primers and probes for detecting an RNA virus, including HIV, HIV-1 subtypes of the M and O groups, and HCV, in a sample. The primers and probes can be used for monitoring the efficacy of anti-retroviral treatment in a subject infected with HIV and/or HCV, and for detecting acute HIV-1 infection, and/or acute HCV infection, in a subject. Included are inner, middle and outer primers that can be used in PCR, including triple nested PCR in a single tube. The methods are highly sensitive and specific, allowing for detection of as few as 4 copies of virus in a sample.

The invention is related to identification of an interferon-analog (IFNL4) protein and genetic association with spontaneous clearance of HCV infection and response to treatment for HCV infection.