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.

Researchers develop novel technique for detecting ALK rearrangements in non-small cell lung cancers

Researchers have developed a novel technique for detecting ALK rearrangements in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) that is more sensitive and easier to perform than currently available techniques.

25 Feb 2014

Certain fragments of DNA shed by tumors can be used to non-invasively screen for early-stage cancers

Certain fragments of DNA shed by tumors into the bloodstream can potentially be used to non-invasively screen for early-stage cancers, monitor responses to treatment and help explain why some cancers are resistant to therapies, according to results of an international study led by Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center investigators.

20 Feb 2014

Splicing findings offer lung cancer clues

Researchers from Spain have identified several new splicing events regulated by the oncogenic splicing factor SRSF1 in lung cancer, suggesting that their dysregulation is involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.

4 Feb 2014

Researchers identify components of C. diff bacteria that can be used to develop better treatment

Rhode Island Hospital researchers have identified components in Clostridium difficile (C. diff) that may lead to new diagnostic tools, and ultimately more timely and effective treatment for this often fatal infection. C. diff is a spore-forming bacterium that causes severe diarrhea and is responsible for 14,000 deaths annually in the U.S. The study is published online in advance of print in the Journal of Molecular Diagnostics.

31 Jan 2014

New Chromatrap Enzymatic Shearing Kit announced by Porvair Sciences

Porvair Sciences has announced a new Chromatrap Enzymatic Shearing Kit that contains all the necessary reagents and buffers for up to 10 chromatin preparations.

From Chromatrap® - Porvair Sciences Ltd 27 Jan 2014

Vaccines for whooping cough contain 3 to 5 protective antigens

Vaccines for whooping cough contain three to five protective antigens, the presence of which are critical to the vaccine's effectiveness. But one of the antigens, pertactin, which had been present in almost all isolates of Bordetella pertussis in the US as late as 2010, is now absent from more than half of them, according to a paper published ahead of print in Clinical and Vaccine Immunology.

13 Dec 2013

New assay allows rapid and sensitive detection of Chlamydia trachomatis

Researchers have developed a new assay for rapid and sensitive detection of Chlamydia trachomatis, the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in humans.

12 Dec 2013

Studies confirm superiority of Tasigna to Glivec at achieving molecular response in Ph+ CML patients

Findings from three large, randomized Phase III studies demonstrate the superiority of Tasigna (nilotinib) compared to Glivec (imatinib) at achieving deeper molecular responses across various Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) patient populations, including newly diagnosed patients, patients with residual disease who switched to Tasigna after long-term treatment with Glivec, and patients who failed to respond to frontline Glivec (as defined by 2013 European LeukemiaNet [ELN] guidelines).

9 Dec 2013

New method uses lab-on-a-chip device and cell phone to determine concentration of molecules

In developing nations, rural areas, and even one's own home, limited access to expensive equipment and trained medical professionals can impede the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

21 Nov 2013

Urinary pneumococcal antigen testing ‘useful in children’

Urinary antigen testing is effective in detecting invasive pneumococcal pneumonia in children, say the authors of a UK-based case–control study.

23 Sep 2013

SeraCare Life Sciences announces expansion of R&D facilities in Milford, Massachusetts

SeraCare Life Sciences, a manufacturer of life sciences tools, bulk plasma, and quality controls for diagnostic companies and clinical laboratories, announced an expansion of its research and manufacturing facilities at its Milford, Massachusetts headquarters.

21 Sep 2013

Innovative platform improves diagnostics and detection of biomolecules

Separating target molecules in biological samples is a critical part of diagnosing and detecting diseases. Usually the target and probe molecules are mixed and then separated in batch processes that require multiple pipetting, tube washing and extraction steps that can affect accuracy.

18 Sep 2013

Assay aids ALK fusion detection in lung adenonocarcinoma

A fully automated immunochemistry assay is highly sensitive and specific for detecting anaplastic lymphoma kinase fusion in primary lung adenocarcinomas, Chinese researchers report.

6 Sep 2013

New method to detect genetic variations that initiate colon cancer

A new, highly sensitive method to detect genetic variations that initiate colon cancer could be readily used for noninvasive colon cancer screening, according to a study published in Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

4 Sep 2013

Scientists estimate minimum of 320,000 viruses in mammals

Scientists estimate that there is a minimum of 320,000 viruses in mammals awaiting discovery. Collecting evidence of these viruses, or even a majority of them, they say, could provide information critical to early detection and mitigation of disease outbreaks in humans.

3 Sep 2013

Researchers discover 100% genetic match for MERS in insect-eating bat in Saudi Arabia

A 100% genetic match for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) has been discovered in an insect-eating bat in close proximity to the first known case of the disease in Saudi Arabia. The discovery points to the likely animal origin for the disease, although researchers say that an intermediary animal is likely also involved.

22 Aug 2013

EGFR mutation testing dropped once funding from pharmaceutical industry discontinued

Significant advances have taken place in the management of patients with advanced and metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer over the last 5 years. Traditionally, all advanced NSCLC patients were treated in a similar manner.

26 Jul 2013

Digital versions of standard molecular biology tool to detect common tumor-associated mutation in CSF

Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers and their colleagues have used digital versions of a standard molecular biology tool to detect a common tumor-associated mutation in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with brain tumors. In their report being published in the open-access journal Molecular Therapy - Nucleic Acids, the investigators describe using advanced forms of the gene-amplification technology polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to analyze bits of RNA carried in membrane-covered sacs called extracellular vesicles for the presence of a tumor-associated mutation in a gene called IDH1.

24 Jul 2013

Plague detection through anti-carbohydrate antibodies could lead to rapid diagnosis

Even today, the lives of humans and animals are claimed by plague. A new antibody-based detection method can be used to reliably and sensitively identify plague in patient serum and other biological samples.

18 Jul 2013

New method to identify pathogenic strains that cause pneumonia

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and George Washington University (GWU) have developed a method to rapidly identify pathogenic species and strains causing illnesses, such as pneumonia, that could help lead to earlier detection of disease outbreaks and pinpoint effective treatments more quickly.

11 Jul 2013