C12Q - Definition

Definition statement

This subclass covers:

• Processes in which there is a direct or indirect qualitative or quantitative measurement or test of a material which contains enzymes, nucleic acids or microorganisms.
• Processes in which a material containing enzymes, nucleic acids or microorganisms is used to perform a qualitative or quantitative measurement or test, e.g. testing for antimicrobial activity or cholesterol, geomicrobiological testing.
• In vivo or in vitro or in silico measuring or testing processes involving nucleic acid e.g. nucleic acid hybridisation including Polymerase Chain Reaction [PCR].
• Compositions or test papers containing enzymes, nucleic acids or microorganisms which can be used to detect or identify a chemical compound or composition, e.g. paper strips for the testing of blood sugar.
• Compositions or test papers distinguished by the use of indicators which can be used to detect or identify the presence of enzymes, nucleic acids or microorganisms.
• Processes of making such test compositions.
• Processes involving enzymes or microorganisms in which a process parameter is measured and that or another process parameter is varied in response to such measurement, i.e. condition responsive control.

Relationship between large subject matter areas

Controlling or regulating in general is classified in class G05.

In subclasses C12M-C12Q, and within each of these subclasses, in the absence of an indication to the contrary, classification is made in the last appropriate place.

The codes of subclass C12R are only for use as indexing codes associated with subclasses C12C-C12Q, so as to provide information concerning the microorganisms used in the processes classified in these subclasses.

Observation of the progress or of the result of processes specified in this subclass by any of the methods specified in groups G01N 3/00-G01N 29/00 is covered by subclass G01N.

Investigating or analysing biological material is covered by groups G01N 33/48-G01N 33/98.

References relevant to classification in this subclass

This subclass does not cover:

Immunoassay	G01N 33/53
Immunoassay with enzyme label	G01N 33/535
Immunoassay with the carrier being a biological cell or cell fragment	G01N 33/554
Immunoassay for microorganisms	G01N 33/569
Immunoassay for venereal diseases	G01N 33/571
Immunoassay for enzymes and isoenzymes	G01N 33/573
Immunoassay for cancer	G01N 33/574
Immunoassay for hepatitis	G01N 33/576

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Microorganisms per se	C12N 1/00
Human, animal or plant cells per se	C12N 5/00
Viruses per se	C12N 7/00
Enzymes per se	C12N 9/00, C12N 11/00
Investigating or analysing materials by determining their chemical or physical properties	G01N
Chemical analysis involving blood sugar, e.g. galactose	G01N 33/66
Chemical analysis involving proteins, peptides and amino acids	G01N 33/68
Chemical analysis involving lipids, e.g. cholesterol	G01N 33/92

Special rules of classification

In this subclass, in absence of an indication to the contrary, classification is made in the last appropriate place.

In this subclass, test media are classified in the appropriate group for the relevant test process.

In this subclass, viruses, undifferentiated human, animal or plant cells, protozoa, tissues and unicellular algae are considered as microorganisms.

In this subclass, unless specifically provided for, undifferentiated human, animal or plant cells, protozoa, tissues and unicellular algae are classified together with microorganisms. Sub-cellular parts, unless specifically provided for, are classified with the whole cell.

Glossary of terms

In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Enzyme	Proteinaceous material which causes a chemical change in a starting material without being consumed in the reaction.
Involving	When used in relation to a substance, includes the testing for the substance as well as employing the substance as a determinant or reactant in a test for a different substance.
Microorganism	Single-celled organisms such as bacteria, actinomycetales or single-celled fungi, e.g. yeasts; for the purposes of classification, this term also includes viruses, undifferentiated human, animal or plant cells, protozoa, tissues and unicellular algae.
Nucleic acid	Comprises nucleic acids as in vitro compounds as well as sub-cellular parts in vivo like chromosome territories within the nucleus, plasmids, gene sequences, genetic information, mutations, polymorphisms such as SNPs, in silico base sequences, aptamers (ligand binding nucleic acids) and ribozymes (catalytic active RNA molecules).