discussion points

[David Cooke]

Dear diagnost net

While I was maybe a little flippant about the request for information 
about about Minoxidil and I do recognise that this type of discussion 
group is supposed to be broad I do think it is worth taking a look at the 
Charter (I think this is the current version Kevin?).  

There has been little discussion of any diagnostic import recently so 
maybe I could repeat a plea I put out about a year ago.  Has anyone 
seen a piece of software for selecting PCR primers other than all the 
current ones select a pair of primers for a single length of 
sequence data.  What I need is someting to analyse ribosomal 
sequences from several species of pathogenic fungi and select the 
best primer for specific amplification of species X and no other 
species.  I am sure there is a great market for such a piece of 
software (if there are any budding programmers out there).

Also is there any more news about the EU patent challenge from 
promega regarding Taq polymerase?

The charter follows.
<<< 
PROPOSAL FOR DIAGNOSTICS NEWSGROUP

The Diagnostics newsgroup is a forum for discussion of problems and techniques 
(primarily serological or nucleic acid-based)  involved in all fields of diagnostics.  
Subjects for discussion and comment include  methodology, automation, quality 
assurance and other subjects of interest and concern to those developing and/or using 
diagnostic tests

JUSTIFICATION

Despite the large number of scientists involved in diagnostics, there is no newsgroup 
devoted to this subject.  The prototype Diagnostics newsgroup was set up to fill this gap 
and has gained enough support to justify a vote for full newsgroup status.  The  
prototype newsgroup has included postings on the detection and identification of 
diseases, pathogens (animal and plant) and also diagnostic functions which do not fit 
into either category.   This composition has helped to establish common ground (and 
therefore intellectual and methodological cross-fertilization) between people and 
laboratories.  For example, The problems facing scientists developing PCR assays for 
Listeria are similar to those facing scientists developing PCR assays for bacterial soft 
rots in plants.

Within the various disciplines there are common problems regarding methods, 
immunogens, cross-reactivity, automation, materials, quality assurance and other issues 
that are not recognized by those using similar techniques for other purposes.

The Diagnostics newsgroup will address and help solve these problems by providing a 
forum for their discussion between individuals of various experience and disciplines.  

Kevin O'Donnell		     
Diagnostics and Molecular Biology
Scottish Agricultural Science Agency    
Edinburgh                         		odonnell at sasa.gov.uk          
>>>>

Regards 

David Cooke      













David E. L. Cooke
Mycology and Bacteriology Dept.
Scottish Crop Research Institute
Invergowrie, Dundee, DD1 5DA.
Tel 0382 562731 
FAX 0382 562426