SINGLE-TUBE, READY-TO-USE ASSAY KITS, AND METHODS USING SAME
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An assay kit comprising:
- a container, the container containing a mixture having reagents adapted to perform an allelic discrimination or expression analysis reaction when admixed with at least one target polynucleotide sequence, and a data storage medium containing data about the contents of the first container.
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Abstract
An assay kit is provided that includes assay reagents stored in a single-tube container, and a data storage medium containing information about the contents of the container. Methods are provided for using the data provided with the kit to direct instruments and/or processes, for example, to control an instrument to perform amplification and/or sequencing reactions.
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Citations
81 Claims
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1. An assay kit comprising:
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a container, the container containing a mixture having reagents adapted to perform an allelic discrimination or expression analysis reaction when admixed with at least one target polynucleotide sequence, and a data storage medium containing data about the contents of the first container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
providing an assay kit according to claim 1, using the data to control an instrument to process the assay reagents, and performing an assay.
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28. The method of claim 27, further comprising processing the data with a software program to control the instrument.
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29. A method comprising:
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providing the assay kit of claim 1; and shipping the assay kit to a user.
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30. The method of claim 29, wherein the assay kit comprises reagents for conducting a homogeneous assay.
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31. A genetic-analysis kit, comprising:
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a first container;
a reaction mixture held in the first container, the reaction mixture being adapted for allelic discrimination or expression analysis;
a data storage medium including information in electronic form thereon, the information pertaining at least in part to the reaction mixture; and
a second container holding the first container and the data storage medium for transport as a unit. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method for facilitating genetic analysis:
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receiving from a user a request for one or more genetic-analysis assays; and
providing to the user (i) the one or more assays, with each assay being provided in a single-tube format, and (ii) information relating to the one or more assays, with the information being in electronic form. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A method for genetic analysis, comprising:
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requesting a plurality of assay mixtures for genetic analysis from a supplier;
receiving from the supplier (i) the plurality of assay mixtures, and (ii) information, in electronic form, pertaining to each assay mixture;
transferring at least a portion of the electronic information to a computer system adapted for electronic communication with a thermal cycler; and
employing the computer system and at least a portion of the information, instructing the operation of the instrument, whereby each of the assay mixtures is analyzed. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
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62. A method for facilitating genetic analysis, comprising:
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receiving a request for a plurality of assay mixtures for genetic analysis from a user; and
supplying to the user (i) the plurality of assay mixtures, (ii) information, in electronic form, pertaining to each assay mixture, and (iii) a program storage device readable by a computer system, embodying a program of instructions executable by the computer system to perform method steps for genetic analysis, the method steps comprising (a) transferring at least a portion of the electronic information to a memory of the computer system, (b) employing at least a portion of the information, generating instructions for the operation of a thermal cycler adapted to perform real-time polymerase chain reaction, and (c) sending the instructions to the thermal cycler whereby the thermal cycler acts upon the assay mixtures. - View Dependent Claims (63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71)
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72. A program storage device readable by a computer system, embodying a program of instructions executable by the computer system for genetic analysis, the method steps comprising:
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(i) uploading electronic information relating to a plurality of assay mixtures from a data storage device to the computer system, (ii) employing the information, generating a file containing instructions for operation of a thermal cycler; and
(iii) tranferring the file to the thermal cycler for implementation. - View Dependent Claims (73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81)
monitoring for electronic information ready for uploading.
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74. The device of claim 72, wherein the method steps further comprise:
receiving a results file from the thermal cycler, and causing the results file to be saved.
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75. The device of claim 72, wherein the method steps further comprise:
building an assay information database.
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76. The device of claim 72, wherein the method steps further comprise:
generating plate documents and providing the plate documents in the file for transfer to the thermal cycler.
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77. The device of claim 72, wherein the method steps further comprise:
- generating or updating an activity log.
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78. The device of claim 72, wherein the method steps further comprise:
outputting the instructions to a printer for printing.
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79. The device of claim 72, wherein the method steps further comprise:
determining errors in the information or instructions that could adversely impact analysis of the assay mixtures.
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80. The device of claim 72, wherein the data storage device is a removable disk.
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81. The device of claim 72, wherein the thermal cycler is adapted to perform a real-time polymerase chain reaction.
Specification