Abstract:
The invention relates to methods and kits for determining the methylation status of a target nucleic acid molecule in a sample comprising (a) bisulfite treatment of the target nucleic acid, (b) amplifying the treated target nucleic acid with methylation-specific primers, (c) contacting the amplicons with a methylation-specific plasmonic nanoprobe and (d) determining the methylation status based on melting temperature Tm of the hybrid probe and the target nucleic acid. In particular, a plasmonic gold nanoparticle covalently coupled to a morpholino oligonucleotide probe. Also claimed are methods and kits for determining methylation status of the Septin 9 (SEPT9) gene promoter.
Abstract:
A method and kit for detecting a genetic variant associated with a disease or disorder, including incompatibility with a pharmaceutical. The method and kit using a first nano-particle coupled to at least one morpholino nucleic acid probe comprising a target complimentary region base sequence that is a perfect match to a genetic variant sequence.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a polymer material comprising mesopores extending between melamine-formaldehyde co-polymer nano-particles and wherein micropores extend within the co-polymer nano-particles, methods of producing the same and uses thereof.
Abstract:
A column-based device and method for retrieving cells of interest were enclosed. The said device comprises a column comprising (i) an inner wall defining an inner chamber with inlet and outlet openings, (ii) a perforated plug disposed adjacent to the outlet opening, (iii) a sleeve insert with a channel and disposed within the chamber and adjacent to the perforated plug, and (iv) a filtering means housed within sleeve insert sandwiched between two sealing means. In particular, Tumor-derived endothelial cell clusters (TECCs) as characterized multiple nuclei, expression of endothelial markers (PECAM1, VWF and CDH5), and non-expression of leukocyte, megakaryocyte and platelets markers, may be retrieved using the disclosed device. Also encompassed are methods, reagents and kits for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancers by detecting for the presence of TECCs isolated from blood samples using the claimed device.
Abstract:
There is presently provided methods for delivering an anti-fibrotic or anti-cancer agent to a cell. The methods comprise contacting a cell with an effective amount of imidazolium and imidazolinium compounds as described herein, including imidazolium and imidazolinium salts.
Abstract:
A bicontinuous microemulsion of water, a monomer, and a surfactant copolymerizable with the monomer is polymerized to form a polymeric material, the polymeric material comprising a polymer matrix defining interconnected pores. The polymeric material may additional comprise at least one photochromic agent and/or UV-absorbing agent. The at least one photochromic agent and/or UV-absorbing agent may be dispersed in one or both of the polymer matrix or the interconnected pores. The polymeric material may be used to form photochromic articles including ophthalmic articles such as contact lenses.
Abstract:
This invention relates to methods and compositions for amplifying nucleic acids, e.g., genomic DNA, using nicking agents. The method of amplifying nucleic acids comprising: (a) forming a reaction mixture comprising: (i) a first nucleic acid template comprising a strand having a first nicking agent recognition sequence; (ii) a second nucleic acid template comprising a strand having a second nicking agent recognition sequence; (iii) at least one primer for a target region on the first or second nucleic acid template; (iv) at least one protein having DNA polymerase domain function, wherein the domain function comprises a first domain function capable of strand displacement activity and a second domain function capable of high processivity activity, or at least one protein having DNA polymerase domain function capable of strand displacement activity and at least one protein having DNA polymerase domain function capable of high processivity activity; (v) at least one deoxynucleoside triphosphate; and (vi) a first nicking agent for recognizing the first nicking agent recognition sequence and a second nicking agent for recognizing the second nicking agent recognition sequence; (b) incubating the reaction mixture under conditions that amplifies the nucleic acid templates, wherein the domain functions capable of strand displacement activity and high processivity activity are separate from each other and capable of carrying out their activities simultaneously. In specific embodiments, the nicking agent is NB.BsrDI and the proteins having DNA polymerase domain functions are Bst 3.0 polymerase and Pfu polymerase.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are methods of (i) detecting cancer or cancer type in a subject or (ii) simultaneously testing for, or distinguishing between, multiple types of cancer in a subject; methods of screening subjects for a prevalence of cancer type or cancer types; methods of managing a subject with a cancer type; and methods of identifying whether a subject having a cancer type is responding to management of that cancer type; and methods of generating a response profile specific for a cancer type. Disclosed herein also include tumor-derived exosome-induced immune response or cancer-specific response profile created based on the measurement of functional impacts of tumor-derived exosomes on immune cells in vitro for use or when used for detecting or diagnosing cancer or cancer type in a subject; tumor-derived exosome-induced immune response for use in or when used for creating a cancer-specific response profile measuring functional impacts of tumor-derived exosomes on immune cells in vitro; and use of a tumor-derived exosome-induced immune response for generating a cancer-specific response profile measuring functional impacts of tumor-derived exosomes on immune cells in vitro. Disclosed herein also include tests, assays, kits, apparatus or devises for use or when used for the method, the response, the profile or the use as disclosed herein.