(under subclass 4) Subject matter where the material to be tested or the composition in which the test is conducted contains nucleic acid or the agent used for the measurement or test contains nucleic acid.
(1) Note. The tests provided for in this subclass may involve the determination of the mutagenic effect of drugs on nucleic acid containing genetic materials such as genes and chromosomes.
(2) Note. Nucleic acids for the purpose of this subclass are defined as polynucleotides of three or more nucleotides.
(3) Note. Proper for this subclass is subject matter involving the staining of microorganisms, cells, or tissues specifically for and only for nucleic acid (e.g., DNA, RNA, etc.) with stains such as Feulgen stain or acridine orange.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
40.5+, for subject matter involving microorganisms, cells, or tissues stained with a composition providing contrasting stains for the cell nucleus and cytoplasm (e.g., hematoxylin, eosin, etc.).
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS 536, Organic Compounds, appropriate subclasses for saccharides, polysaccharides, nucleosides, nucleotides, and polynucleotides like RNA or DNA compounds as well as chemical methods of synthesizing such compounds. Search specifically
23.1+, for fragments of RNA or DNA which could have utility as genes in recombinant processes and subclass 24.3 for probes.
