Compositions, kits, and methods for performing rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify a target nucleic acid in a biological sample are disclosed. The methods include the use of at least one hybridization stabilizer and/or the adjustment of the thermocycling profiles between initiation and propagation phases of the amplification process. Also disclosed are methods of detecting the target nucleic acid following amplification thereof, as well as reaction mixtures that may be utilized in said methods.

Compositions, kits, and methods for performing rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify a target nucleic acid in a biological sample are disclosed. The methods include the use of at least one hybridization stabilizer and/or the adjustment of the thermocycling profiles between initiation and propagation phases of the amplification process. Also disclosed are methods of detecting the target nucleic acid following amplification thereof, as well as reaction mixtures that may be utilized in said methods.

Kits and methods for detecting pathogens without the need for laboratory equipment are disclosed. The kits and methods described herein allow for near-room temperature amplification of pathogen polynucleotides in a biological sample in a one-compartment reaction vessel. The kits and methods may be used to detect any target nucleic acid, such as DNA or RNA from a bacterial, fungal, or viral pathogen.

Kits and methods for detecting pathogens without the need for laboratory equipment are disclosed. The kits and methods described herein allow for near-room temperature amplification of pathogen polynucleotides in a biological sample in a one-compartment reaction vessel. The kits and methods may be used to detect any target nucleic acid, such as DNA or RNA from a bacterial, fungal, or viral pathogen.

An apparatus for gene amplification includes a gene amplification chip including a well configured to accept a sample that is loaded into the well; the gene amplification chip being configured to: thermally dissolve the sample in the well so that a microbe present in the sample is thermally dissolved in the well to release genes in the microbe; and amplify the released genes in the well. The apparatus for gene amplification also includes a temperature controller configured to control a thermal dissolution temperature and a gene amplification temperature of the well.

An apparatus for gene amplification includes a gene amplification chip including a well configured to accept a sample that is loaded into the well; the gene amplification chip being configured to: thermally dissolve the sample in the well so that a microbe present in the sample is thermally dissolved in the well to release genes in the microbe; and amplify the released genes in the well. The apparatus for gene amplification also includes a temperature controller configured to control a thermal dissolution temperature and a gene amplification temperature of the well.

Disclosed is a method of performing a non-isothermal nucleic acid amplification reaction, wherein the temperature at which the method is performed is non-isothermal and subject to a reduction of at least 2° C. during amplification process steps. The present invention provides an improved nucleic acid amplification technique having one or more advantages over existing techniques including, for example, decreased reaction time, increased yield, and decreased non-specific amplification products.

Disclosed is a method of performing a non-isothermal nucleic acid amplification reaction, wherein the temperature at which the method is performed is non-isothermal and subject to a reduction of at least 2° C. during amplification process steps. The present invention provides an improved nucleic acid amplification technique having one or more advantages over existing techniques including, for example, decreased reaction time, increased yield, and decreased non-specific amplification products.

The present invention provides compositions, kits and methods for the selective hybridization and capture of a specific target nucleic acid. The specific target nucleic acid may be present in a heterogeneous mixture of nucleic acids. Selective hybridization and capture provides a target nucleic acid that is substantially free of non-target and/or contaminating nucleic acids. Target nucleic acids that have been selectively hybridized and captured using the current invention are then used in subsequent analysis, wherein the presence of non-target and/or contaminating nucleic acids that interfere with said subsequent analysis have been substantially reduced or eliminated, thereby providing improved analysis results. The invention offers the further advantage of requiring less stringent purification and/or sterility efforts than conventionally needed in order to ensure that enzymes and other reagents used in subsequent analysis, or present in the environment in which an assay is performed, are free of bacterial or other contaminating nucleic acids.

The present invention provides compositions, kits and methods for the selective hybridization and capture of a specific target nucleic acid. The specific target nucleic acid may be present in a heterogeneous mixture of nucleic acids. Selective hybridization and capture provides a target nucleic acid that is substantially free of non-target and/or contaminating nucleic acids. Target nucleic acids that have been selectively hybridized and captured using the current invention are then used in subsequent analysis, wherein the presence of non-target and/or contaminating nucleic acids that interfere with said subsequent analysis have been substantially reduced or eliminated, thereby providing improved analysis results. The invention offers the further advantage of requiring less stringent purification and/or sterility efforts than conventionally needed in order to ensure that enzymes and other reagents used in subsequent analysis, or present in the environment in which an assay is performed, are free of bacterial or other contaminating nucleic acids.