Methods of isolating nucleic acids comprising DNA from biological material are disclosed. The methods comprise a lysis step using an aqueous composition which comprises lithium at a concentration of 0.05 to 1.0M, a chelating agent, and a surfactant to produce a lysed composition. The lysed composition is treated with a solid support that is capable of immobilising DNA in the presence of a dissolved chaotropic agent at a concentration of 0.05 to 2M and 25% to 60% by volume of a C.sub.1-3 alkanol. The support is then washed with a first wash solution containing lithium dissolved in a C.sub.1-3 alkanol. Subsequently, the support is washed with a liquid comprising at least 80% by volume of a C.sub.1-3 alkanol. The nucleic acid comprising DNA is then eluted from the support.

The present invention provides a device and method for testing a material for the presence of DNA. The system includes a centrifuge, a microchip performing cell lysis and an enclosure that contains an isothermal ballast material and chromogenic agent that melts at a specific temperature and displays a color change, respectively.

The present invention provides a device and method for testing a material for the presence of DNA. The system includes a centrifuge, a microchip performing cell lysis and an enclosure that contains an isothermal ballast material and chromogenic agent that melts at a specific temperature and displays a color change, respectively.

Methods for separating microorganisms from non-microorganism cells in a non-microorganism cell-containing sample comprise incubating the sample with particles to form particle-microorganism complexes and then separating the particle-microorganism complexes from the non-microorganism cells. These methods are used to detect the absence or presence of a microorganism in a sample that also contains non-microorganism cells. Particular reagents and combinations of reagents enhance the selective capture of microorganisms in mixed samples. Corresponding compositions and kits are also provided.

The present invention relates to a method for detecting an RNA virus in a specimen by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and a kit for carrying out the method. More specifically, the present invention relates to a test method, characterized in that the purified water, saline or a buffer for mixing with a specimen to obtain a centrifugation supernatant as an analysis sample previously contain at least one element selected from internal control DNA, forward and reverse primers that specifically hybridize to the DNA, while RT-PCR reaction solution does not contain the above-mentioned element(s) contained in the purified water, saline, or buffer, and a kit for carrying out the method.

Provided herein are methods for isolating nucleic acids from intact cells in a sample of intact cells, contamination dead cells, cell debris, and biofilm using two separation steps, either by centrifugation or filtration, performed in sequentially. Also provided is a method for isolating nucleic acids from intact cells using a first separation step followed by treatment with a nuclease and then a second separating step. Provided herein is a related method for isolating DNA from intact cells using a nuclease that produces DNA cuts on double stranded DNA, followed by a second separating step.

A method of forming a polymer matrix array includes applying an aqueous solution into wells of a well array. The aqueous solution includes polymer precursors. The method further includes applying an immiscible fluid over the well array to isolate the aqueous solution within the wells of the well array and polymerizing the polymer precursors isolated in the wells of the well array to form the polymer matrix array. An apparatus includes a sensor array, a well array corresponding to the sensor array, and an array of polymer matrices disposed in the well array.

A method of forming a polymer matrix array includes applying an aqueous solution into wells of a well array. The aqueous solution includes polymer precursors. The method further includes applying an immiscible fluid over the well array to isolate the aqueous solution within the wells of the well array and polymerizing the polymer precursors isolated in the wells of the well array to form the polymer matrix array. An apparatus includes a sensor array, a well array corresponding to the sensor array, and an array of polymer matrices disposed in the well array.

Provided herein are devices, systems, kits and methods for obtaining genetic information from cell-free fetal nucleic acids in ultra-low amounts of biological samples. Due to the convenience of obtaining ultra-low amounts of samples, devices, systems, kits and methods can be at least partially employed at a point of need.

Provided herein are devices, systems, kits and methods for obtaining genetic information from cell-free fetal nucleic acids in ultra-low amounts of biological samples. Due to the convenience of obtaining ultra-low amounts of samples, devices, systems, kits and methods can be at least partially employed at a point of need.