The LightCycler is a rapid air-heated thermal cycler which incorporates a fluorimeter for the detection and quantification of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplified products. It provides real-time cycle-by-cycle analysis of product generation. Amplification occurs in glass capillary tubes. The products are detected using a fluorescent double stranded DNA binding dye or fluorescent probes. Ho...

Among the etiological agents of acute gastroenterocolitis, group A Rotavirus stands out. Proper hygiene and basic sanitation are prophylactic means. The present research aimed to carry out tracking in waters rural communities. collections were carried 86 residences, distributed 16 communities, considering types sources: tubular wells, excavated surface springs, cistern with rainwater springs. e...

Archival, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue is an invaluable resource for molecular genetic studies but the extraction of high quality nucleic acid may be problematic. We have optimised DNA extraction by comparing 10 protocols, including a commercially available kit and a novel method that utilises a thermal cycler. The thermal cycler and Chelex-100 extraction method yielded DNA capable ...

This paper presents a PC-based PCR thermal cycler with a host-local architecture, where a PC is employed as the host. The local system only executes the thermal cycling process and the PC is responsible for the management of PCR protocols with a convenient GUI. The presented host-local system greatly reduces the development time and the maintenance cost, providing an economical PCR thermal cycler.

An increasing body of evidence indicates that the bronchial epithelium plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to identify new genes whose bronchoepithelial expression is specifically altered in COPD patients. Primary bronchial epithelial cell (PBEC) cultures were established from exsmokers with stable airflow limita...

The measurement of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA in blood is becoming the standard method for monitoring HCMV infection in immune-suppressed and unsuppressed patients. As various blood compartments can be used, we have compared the HCMV DNA measured in whole blood (WB), peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL), and plasma by real-time PCR. We tested 286 samples: HCMV DNA was extracted automatically...

Increased use of powerful PCR technology for the routine detection of pathogens has focused attention on the need for international validation and preparation of official non-commercial guidelines. Bacteria of epidemiological importance should be the prime focus, although a "validation infrastructure" once established could easily be adapted for PCR-based detection of viruses and parasites. The...