Patent ID: 7739054
Filing Date: 2010-06-15
Classification: C12Q,G06K,G16B

Abstract:
1. A method for determining the amount of a nucleic acid in a test sample, comprising the steps of: amplifying a predetermined locus of the nucleic acid in an in vitro amplification reaction to create a nucleic acid amplification product; determining a value proportional to the amount of the nucleic acid amplification product present at different times during the in vitro amplification reaction, whereby there is created a collection of time-dependent values that collectively define a growth curve; performing a vector analysis on at least a portion of said growth curve to identify a time-dependent feature indicating a transition from the baseline phase into the growth phase of said growth curve, said vector analysis comprising the steps of, comparing the time-dependent feature identified in step (d) with a standard calibration curve; and determining from said time-dependent feature of said growth curve and said standard calibration curve the amount of the nucleic acid in the test sample.