Qiagen Gmbh

Qiagen Gmbh Max-volmer-strasse 4

Kerstin Steinert

Joachim Ribbe

Helge Lubenow

Roland Fabis

Jie Kang

Dirk L&ouml;ffert

Christian Feckler

Frank Schäfer

Christoph Menzel

Melanie Emmerlich

David Löper

Udo Roth

Igor Ivanov

A phenol-free method for isolating a nucleic acid from a sample is provided, said method comprising the following steps: a) preparing a precipitation mixture by adding at least one metal cation precipitant and at least one organic solvent selected from aprotic polar solvents and protic solvents to the sample, wherein the precipitation mixture i) comprises the metal cation precipitant; ii) comprises the organic solvent in a concentration of 15% or less; iii) comprises a buffering agent; and iv) has an acidic pH value, and precipitating proteins; b) separating the precipitate from the supernatant, wherein the supernatant comprises small RNA having a length of less than 200 nt and large RNA having a length of at least 1000 nt; and c) isolating a nucleic acid from the supernatant. Using an organic solvent as claimed during the protein precipitation step in the defined concentration provides a supernatant which in addition to small RNA also comprises large RNA. This is an advantage as the present method provides more flexibility to the user. The described method can be used for isolating and hence analysing different target RNAs.

Method for isolating RNA with high yield

A mass spectrometry method for analysing the presence or absence of at least one target analyte in a complex sample is provided. The method uses a sample carrier suitable for mass spectrometry with a pre-applied microcrystalline MALDI matrix spot which is at least partially encompassed by a hydrophobic region. A complex sample is applied such that it becomes located on the microcrystalline MALDI matrix spot. The sample is washed on the microcrystalline MALDI matrix spot and then analyzed for the presence or absence of at least one target analyte via mass spectrometry. The method is in particular suitable for quantitatively analysing target analytes such as hepcidin and other peptides, drug compounds and metabolites in body fluids.

Method for analysing a complex sample by mass spectrometry

The invention relates to a process and a reagent kit for obtaining clear solutions containing cell contents from biological samples in a high throughput process, comprising the steps of preparing a plurality of protein-containing solutions which contain insoluble ingredients, in separate chambers of a multi-chamber filtration unit, eliminating insoluble ingredients by filtering the solutions through the multi-chamber filtration unit with the application of a pressure differential, while preventing cross contamination between adjacent chambers by chemical and/or mechanical means, and collecting the individual filtrates separately in collecting containers, as well as a process for recovering cell contents from the clear solutions obtained. The invention further relates to the use of an apparatus for recovering clear protein-containing solutions from biological samples.

Automated protein purification the multiwell format by vacuum filtration

The present invention provides a method for separation of a particulate matrix from a solution while reducing loss of particles during separation steps. Methods are also disclosed for isolation of molecules of interest using affinity particles or beads, wherein at least one step of the isolation is conducted in the presence of a detergent. The presence of detergent reduces the loss of matrix particles and enhances reproducibility and yield of the molecule of interest. The invention makes possible the manual and automated processing of affinity beads, especially magnetic beads, in multi-well as well as single-well vessels with significantly reduced bead loss, as compared with similar processes conducted in the absence of detergent.

Methods for separating particulate substrates from solution while minimizing particle loss

A method for the amplification of a target nucleic acid is disclosed comprising the steps of reacting a nucleic acid with an amplification reaction mixture and a modified thermostable enzyme, wherein said modified thermostable polymerase is prepared by a reaction of a mixture of a thermostable polymerase and a chemical modifying reagent. The chemical modification reagent is an aldehyde, preferably formaldehyde. Essentially complete inactivation of the enzyme at ambient temperatures is achieved, with recovery of enzymatic activity at temperatures above 50&deg; C.

Method for reversible modification of thermostable enzymes

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Langenfeld, Germany

Kerstin Steinert