Polymerase Chain Reaction News and Research

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Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a revolutionary laboratory technique that enables the replication of a specific DNA sequence. Using PCR, millions of copies of a target DNA can be easily synthesized within a short period of time.

Exact Sciences to use Hologic's Invader chemistry for colorectal cancer screening

Exact Sciences Corp. (Nasdaq: EXAS) today announced that it has obtained a worldwide license from Hologic Inc. for that company’s Invader, Invader plus and real-time Invader detection chemistries for the field of colorectal cancer screening.

From Hologic, Inc. 21 Oct 2009

Focus Diagnostics' 2009 H1N1 influenza virus test granted FDA emergency use authorization

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today issued a second emergency use authorization (EUA) to Focus Diagnostics, the infectious disease diagnostics business of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, for its 2009 H1N1 influenza virus test. With the EUA, Focus Diagnostics is the only company in the U.S. to offer test kits for detecting the pandemic 2009 H1N1 virus that the FDA has authorized for emergency use by CLIA high-complexity labs, which include certain hospital and regional labs.

19 Oct 2009

Marker genes help determine the effectiveness of targeted molecular drug regimen for treating GIST

Analysis of a small number of marker genes may determine in a matter of hours if a patient with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) would respond to a targeted molecular drug regimen. This analysis could allow clinicians to determine if they have chosen the best course of action or need to consider another alternative.

15 Oct 2009

DIATHERIX Laboratories granted EUA for H1N1-09 Influenza Test

DIATHERIX Laboratories, Inc. is pleased to announce it has been granted emergency use authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its DIATHERIX H1N1-09 Influenza Test.

14 Oct 2009

Manual microdissection to remove biopsy cavities from breast cancer specimens essential

Genomic Health, Inc. today announced results from a study demonstrating the critical role of manual microdissection to remove all biopsy cavities from breast cancer specimens. Genomic Health's Oncotype DX is the only commercially available breast cancer test that employs manual microdissection following review by a board certified surgical pathologist with breast expertise to predict a patient's benefit from chemotherapy and risk of disease recurrence.

9 Oct 2009

Quest Diagnostics' DNA testing for gene variants help improve outcomes for stent recipients

DNA testing for gene variants that can increase the risk of major coronary events in certain patients taking the anti-clotting drug Plavix® (clopidogrel bisulfate) is now being performed by Quest Diagnostics for Scripps Health patients electing to undergo coronary stent procedures.

From Quest Diagnostics 8 Oct 2009

Scientists create new technology to improve detection of leukemia cells in bone marrow

Scientists have created a viable technology to improve the detection of leukemia cells in bone marrow.

7 Oct 2009

Researchers screen decades-old frozen infant stool samples to detect norovirus

A search through decades-old frozen infant stool samples has yielded rich dividends for scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health.

3 Oct 2009

Research study indicates presence of two stable bacterial ecosystems in the gut

Small-bowel transplant patients with an ileostomy -- an opening into their small bowel -- have a very different population of bacteria living in their gut than patients whose ileostomy has been closed, researchers from UC Davis and Georgetown University Medical Center have found. The results are published online Sept. 14 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

16 Sep 2009

Study reveals that daily bathroom showers may deliver pathogenic bacteria

While daily bathroom showers provide invigorating relief and a good cleansing for millions of Americans, they also can deliver a face full of potentially pathogenic bacteria, according to a surprising new University of Colorado at Boulder study.

15 Sep 2009

BioTrove partners with FDA to investigate the utility of SNAP system

BioTrove announced a collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research to investigate the utility of the company’s Standardized NanoArray PCR (SNAP) gene expression profiling system for the rapid and specific detection of pathogens in the nation’s blood supply.

8 Sep 2009

New H1N1 Influenza detection test used to diagnose Australia's first swine flu victim

When the first cases of H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) were reported in Mexico in April, UQ researchers got to work developing a test to diagnose the virus.

4 Sep 2009

Vaccinating women against HPV prevents breast cancer

Vaccinating women against the human papillomavirus (HPV) may prevent some forms of breast cancer and save tens of thousands of lives each year, new Australian research suggests.

4 Sep 2009

Rapid, accurate and cost-efficient testing of DNA with the Nanogap Sensor Array

A novel electronic sensor array for more rapid, accurate and cost-efficient testing of DNA for disease diagnosis and biological research has been developed by scientists at Singapore's Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN).

27 Aug 2009

Nanogap sensor array for ultra-sensitive detection of human DNA

Researchers in Singapore are reporting development of a new electronic sensor that shows promise as a faster, less expensive, and more practical alternative than tests now used to detect DNA. Such tests are done for criminal investigation, disease diagnosis, and other purposes.

27 Aug 2009

DNA evidence found at crime scenes can easily be falsified

Nucleix, Ltd., an emerging life science company specializing in forensic DNA analysis, announced that company researchers have proven DNA evidence found at crime scenes can easily be falsified using basic equipment, know-how and access to DNA or a DNA database.

18 Aug 2009

FDA authorizes emergency use of another test for H1N1 flu virus

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced it has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for a another diagnostic test for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, whose spread has caused the virus to be characterized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization.

24 Jul 2009

A quantum dot-based method for analysis of DNA methylation

One of the earliest events that changes a normal cell into a malignant one is known as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) hypermethylation, a biochemical alteration that inactivates critical tumor-suppressor genes.

21 Jul 2009

HIV antibody tests unreliable for early infections in teens

A previously healthy teenager shows up at the doctor's office with a sore throat, fever, aches and general malaise. Routine blood tests are normal, an HIV test comes back negative, and the pediatrician sends the patient home with a diagnosis of acute viral infection.

21 Jun 2009

Discovery of candidate tumor suppressor gene and potential biomarker for colorectal cancer

Researchers have identified a new candidate tumor suppressor gene in colorectal cancer and examined its use as a potential biomarker in stool samples, according to a new study published online June 17 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

17 Jun 2009