Becton Dickinson and Company Limited

Matthew P Collis

Thomas L Fort

Oscar J Llorin

Michael C Little

Bradley Scott Thomas

Timothy Roy Hansen

Karen Eckert

James M Harris

Michael Justin Lizzi

Thomas M Gentle

Donald W Copertino

Anne B Brown

Stephen H Szczepanik

Allen S Reichler

John Joseph Bianco

Jr Thomas M Gentle

A system and method for preparing and testing of targeted nucleic acids is presented. The system integrates a pipetter, extractor, assay reader, and other components, including a selectively compliant articulated robot arm (SCARA). This synergistic integration of previously separate diagnostic tools creates a system and method whereby a minimum of human intervention is required. The resulting system provides a substantially more accurate and precise method of isolating, amplifying and detecting targeted nucleic acids for diagnosing diseases.

Automated system for isolating, amplifying and detecting a target nucleic acid sequence

A detector oligonucleotide comprises multiple pairs of a donor fluorophore and a quencher molecule, which donor fluorophores and quencher molecules are separated by a site that is capable of being cleaved when in double-stranded form. The detector oligonucleotide may be made double-stranded in a manner that depends on the presence of a target nucleic acid, allowing the cleavage sites to be cleaved. Separation of the donor fluorophores and the quencher molecules decreases fluorescence quenching and generates a detectable change in a fluorescence parameter of the fluorophores of the detector oligonucleotide. By using multiple donor/quencher pairs, the present detector oligonucleotide advantageously generates a high signal to noise ratio and high efficiency in detection of a target nucleic acid.

Multiple fluorophore detector system

The present invention relates to methods for pretreating biological samples for extraction of nucleic acid therefrom. The present invention employs a combination of at least one protein denaturant with one or more of the following elements to form a reaction mixture for extraction of nucleic acid: (1) at least one aprotic solvent, (2) stepwise heating, and (3) sample dilution.

Pretreatment method for extraction of nucleic acid from biological samples and kits therefor

The present invention relates to methods for pretreating biological samples for extraction of nucleic acid therefrom The present invention employs a combination of at least one protein denaturant with one or more of the following elements to form a reaction mixture for extraction of nucleic acid: (1) at least one aprotic solvent, (2) stepwise heating, and (3) sample dilution.

The present invention relates to a method for disrupting cells by subjecting the cells to ultrasonic energy in the absence of beads. The present invention also relates to the enhancement of cell disruption methods using ultrasonic energy by reducing the surface tension of the liquid in which the cells are located.

Cell disruption method using sonication

A system and method for manipulating magnetically responsive particles in a solution to separate nucleic acid molecules from cell components in a cell solution. The system and method employ a device capable of receiving a plurality of tubes, each of which contain respective sample and magnetically responsive particles. The device includes heating and cooling devices to facilitate a lysing step to release the nucleic acid molecules from the cells in the cell solution. The device further includes moveable magnets which can be moved proximate to and away from the tube to hold the magnetically responsive particles to which the nucleic acid molecules become bound, so that the molecule-bound particles can be separated from the remainder of the solution, and washed as appropriate. The system also employs an electromagnet which is capable of demagnetizing the particles to allow the particles to freely mix with solution, such as elution solutions which are used to unbind the molecules from the particles.

System and method for manipulating magnetically responsive particles fluid samples to collect DNA or RNA from a sample

The present invention relates to a composition which is useful for the reversible binding of a nucleic acid molecule. The composition, which may be packaged in a kit, includes a paramagnetic particle in an acidic solution.

Method for purification and manipulation of nucleic acids using paramagnetic particles

The present invention relates to methods in which ion exchange resins are used to reduce the amount of substances which interfere with nucleic acid hybridization in samples. The methods also stabilize the samples. Kits containing the ion exchange resins render the methods convenient to use.

Sample processing method using ion exchange resin

The present invention relates to a method for reducing the amount of substances inhibitory to nucleic acid hybridization in samples. The method is practiced prior to release of target nucleic acid from cells of interest and involves contacting the sample with an agent which solubilizes the inhibitory substances and does not effectuate release of nucleic acids from cells in the sample, and then the cells from the agent.

Method for reducing inhibitors of nucleic acid hybridization

Method for purification and manipulation of nucleic acids using

The present invention relates to a vehicle for delivery of particles to a sample of cells. The vehicle includes a barrier to retain the particles, which barrier is a dissolvable material Once released into the sample, the particles are useful in methods to lyse or disrupt cells or in methods to separate cellular components from one another if the cells in the sample are already lysed or disrupted.

Vehicle for delivery of particles to a sample

The present invention relates to a vehicle for delivery of particles to a sample of cells. The vehicle includes a barrier to retain the particles, which barrier is a dissolvable material. Once released into the sample, the particles are useful in methods to lyse or disrupt cells or in methods to separate cellular components from one another if the cells in the sample are already lysed or disrupted.

The present invention relates to a vehicle for delivery of particles to a sample of cells. The vehicle includes a barrier to retain the particles, which barrier in one embodiment is a frangible, dissolvable or meltable material. Once released into the sample, the particles are useful in methods to lyse or disrupt cells or in methods to separate cellular components from one another if the cells in the sample are already lysed or disrupted.

Growing community of inventors

Seven Valleys, PA, United States of America

Matthew P Collis