METHODS FOR ENRICHING MICROPARTICLES OR NUCLEIC ACIDS IN A COMPLEX MIXTURE USING SIZE EXCLUSION FILTRATION

摘要

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods for the enrichment of rare microparticles, cells, or nucleic acids from a complex mixture using serial size exclusion filtration. Also provided are less invasive methods for detecting chromosomal or genetic abnormalities in a fetus, by enriching fetal microparticles in maternal plasma using serial size exclusion filtration, and isolating and analyzing the fetal nucleic acids from the fetal microparticles. Methods for diagnosis of diseases such as cancer are also provided, including enriching disease specific microparticles in the patient's plasma using serial size exclusion filtration, and isolating and analyzing the nucleic acids from the disease specific microparticles.