# US 2014/0154678 A1 · Clearance buffer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0154678 A1 - Document ID: US20140154678A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/823,350 - Filed: 2011-09-14 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2010-09-14 - Assignees: Miacom Diagnostics GmbH - Inventors: Ian Thrippleton - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140154678A1 ## CPC - C12Q 1/6841: In situ hybridisation - C12Q 1/6806: Preparing nucleic acids for analysis, e.g. for polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay (C12Q1/6804 takes precedence) - C12Q 1/6832: Enhancement of hybridisation reaction - C12Q: MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS (immunoassay G01N33/53); COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL OR ENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES ## Abstract The invention concerns a composition comprising TCEP, biotin and dextran suitable for liquefying a viscous biological sample. The composition according to the invention can be used in diagnostic methods, preferably for use in diagnosis of an infection with a micro-organism, more preferably for use in diagnosis of HCAP. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Liquid composition comprising: 0.1 mM to 10 mM TCEP, 0.08 pM to 80 pM biotin, and 0.01% w/v to 10% w/v of dextran in an aqueous medium at pH 7 to 10. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Composition according to claim 1, comprising: 1 mM to 3 mM TCEP, 0.5 pM to 1.5 pM biotin, and 1% w/v to 5% w/v of dextran. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) Composition according to claim 2, comprising: about 2 mM TCEP, about 0.8 pM biotin, and about 2% w/v of dextran. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Composition according to claim 1, wherein a buffer substance is present in a concentration of 10 to 100 mM. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) Composition claim 4, wherein the buffer substance is present in a concentration of 30 to 70 mM. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) Composition according to claim 5, wherein the buffer substance is present in a concentration of about 50 mM. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) Composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition is buffered with TRIS. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) Composition according to claim 1, wherein the pH is 8 to 10. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) Composition according to claim 1, wherein the pH is about 9.5. ### Claim 10 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the micro-organism is detected and healthcare associated pneumonia (HCAP) is diagnosed. ### Claim 11 (canceled) ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A method for detecting a target nucleic acid sequence in a biological sample, comprising (a) contacting the sample with a composition of claim 1, under conditions suitable for liquefying the sample, (b) contacting the sample of (a) with a hybridisation probe specific for rRNA in a micro-organism, such as a bacterium, wherein the probe carries a detectable label, under conditions suitable for hybridisation of the probe with the target nucleic acid, and (c) detecting the presence of the target nucleic acid sequence in the sample of (b). ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A method for detecting a micro-organism in a biological sample, wherein the micro-organism comprises a target sequence, wherein said method comprises (a) contacting the sample with a composition of claim 1, under conditions suitable for liquefying the sample, (b) contacting the sample of (a) with a hybridisation probe specific for rRNA in a micro-organism, such as a bacterium, wherein the probe carries a detectable label, under conditions suitable for hybridisation of the probe with the target nucleic acid, and (c) identifying the micro-organism by the presence of the target nucleic acid sequence in the sample of (b). ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the label is a luminescent label, in particular a fluorescent label. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the probe comprises a molecular beacon. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein detection is performed by fluorescence in-situ hybridisation (FISH). ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the sample is viscous or highly viscous. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the sample comprises a bodily secretion selected from secretions from nose, ear, eyes, mouth, respiratory tract, vagina, digestive tract, wounds and catheters. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the label is a luminescent label, in particular a fluorescent label. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the probe comprises a molecular beacon. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the sample is viscous or highly viscous.