Determination of genotypes using a fully automated molecular detection system.

Context: Although the value of pharmacogenomics to improve patient outcomes has become increasingly clear, adoption in medical practice has been slow, which can be attributed to several factors, including complicated and expensive testing procedures and required equipment, lack of training by private practice physicians, and reluctance of both private and commercial payers to reimburse for such testing.

Objectives: To evaluate a fully automated molecular detection system for human genotyping assays, starting with anticoagulated whole blood samples, and to perform all sample preparation, assay, and analysis steps automatically with actionable results reported by the system's software.

Design: The genotypes of 254 random individuals were determined by performing bidirectional DNA sequencing, and that information was used to statistically train the imaging software of the automated molecular detection system to distinguish the 3 possible genotypes (ie, homozygous wild type, heterozygous, and homozygous mutant) at each of 3 different loci (CYP2C9*2, CYP2C9*3, and VKORC1).

Rheonix CARD(®) Technology: An Innovative and Fully Automated Molecular Diagnostic Device.

A versatile microfluidic platform for the evolving molecular diagnostics industry is described. It incorporates low cost Rheonix CARD(®) (Chemistry and Reagent Device) technology to analyze a variety of clinical specimens. A patented lamination process incorporates all pumps, valves, microchannels and reaction compartments into an inexpensive disposable plastic device.

Seed-colonizing bacterial communities associated with the suppression of Pythium seedling disease in a municipal biosolids compost.

This study was designed to characterize seed-colonizing microbial communities that were previously shown to be involved in the suppression of seedling disease caused by Pythium ultimum in a municipal biosolids compost. Selective microbial inhibitors were employed to inactivate portions of the microbial community associated with seed germinated in a compost medium to evaluate their impact on disease suppression. After initial screenings for toxicity to both cucumber and P.

Mating-type heterokaryosis and selfing in Cryphonectria parasitica.

Selfing in the chestnut blight fungus, Cryphonectria parasitica, occurs by two different genetic mechanisms. Most self-fertile isolates of C. parasitica are heterokaryotic for mating type, and the progeny from selfing segregate for mating type.