Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for simultaneously amplifying a plurality of sample wells for a predetermined amount of amplification, detecting whether amplification has occurred in a first set of the wells, amplifying for an additional amount of amplification and detecting whether amplification has occurred in a second set of the wells. Methods are also provided for analyzing a target nucleic acid sequence using melt curves that were generated in a plurality of amplification cycles.

Abstract: Devices, containers, and methods are provided for performing biological analysis in a closed environment. Illustrative biological analyses include high density nucleic acid amplification and detection and immuno-PCR.

Abstract: Devices, containers, and methods are provided for performing biological analysis in a closed environment. Illustrative biological analyses include nucleic acid amplification and detection and immuno-PCR.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for self-contained nucleic acid preparation, amplification, and analysis.

Abstract: Methods, sample vessels, and instruments are provided for melting curve analysis. A sample is amplified by thermal cycling the sample well between at least an annealing temperature and a denaturation temperature through n cycles, where each cycle includes an in-cycle denaturation step. Fluorescent data is collected during the in-cycle denaturation step of n cycles where n is at least two. Then a composite melting curve is generated using the fluorescent data collected during the denaturation step of each of the n cycles, and the sample is called using the composite melting curve, where the call is a positive or a negative call.

Abstract: Methods, sample vessels, and instruments are provided for quantitative and semi-quantitative amplification.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for spotting an array with fluid. Arrays produced by such methods are also provided. In one aspect of the invention, a spotter device for spotting a plurality of fluids into an array is described, the spotter device comprising a plurality of reservoirs provided in a first configuration, each reservoir holding its respective fluid, a print head having a plurality of positions provided in a second configuration, the second configuration being different from the first configuration, a plurality of tubes, each tube configured to provide fluid communication from a reservoir at a first end of the tube to a position in the print head at the second end of the tube, and a pump for pumping fluid through the tubes from the reservoir to the print head.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for collecting and handling difficult sample types.

Abstract: Instruments and methods for amplifying nucleic acids in a sample provided in a flexible, self-contained, substantially closed sample container.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for simultaneously amplifying a plurality of sample wells for a predetermined amount of amplification, detecting whether amplification has occurred in a first set of the wells, amplifying for an additional amount of amplification and detecting whether amplification has occurred in a second set of the wells. Methods are also provided for analyzing a target nucleic acid sequence using melt curves that were generated in a plurality of amplification cycles.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and kits are provided for performing PCR and other thermal cycling reactions in <20 seconds per cycle, using induction heating.

Abstract: In one illustrative embodiment, a cannulated vial is provided, the cannulated vial comprising a vial body having a top surface at one end, a bottom surface at an opposite end, and exterior wall therebetween defining an interior vial volume, the top surface having an opening, a cannula extending from the bottom surface and having a first end, a second end and an outer surface therebetween defining a cannula volume, the first end in fluid communication with the interior vial volume, and a cap having a tongue, the tongue sized to sealably close the opening, the tongue further having a volume greater than or equal to the cannula volume.

Abstract: Devices, containers, and methods are provided for performing biological analysis in a closed environment. Illustrative biological analyses include high density nucleic acid amplification and detection and immune-PCR.

Abstract: Methods and containers are provided for identifying a species, illustratively a bacterial species. Illustrative methods comprise amplifying various genes in the nucleic acid from the bacterial species in a single reaction mixture using pairs of outer first-stage primers designed to hybridize to generally conserved regions of the respective genes to generate a plurality of first-stage amplicons, dividing the reaction mixture into a plurality of second-stage reactions, each using a unique pair of second-stage primers, each pair of second-stage primers specific for a target bacterial species or subset of bacterial species, detecting which of the second-stage reactions amplified, and identifying the bacterial species based on second-stage amplification.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for spotting an array with fluid. Arrays produced by such methods are also provided. In one aspect of the invention, a spotter device for spotting a plurality of fluids into an array is described, the spotter device comprising a plurality of reservoirs provided in a first configuration, each reservoir holding its respective fluid, a print head having a plurality of positions provided in a second configuration, the second configuration being different from the first configuration, a plurality of tubes, each tube configured to provide fluid communication from a reservoir at a first end of the tube to a position in the print head at the second end of the tube, and a pump for pumping fluid through the tubes from the reservoir to the print head.

Abstract: Methods for typing a strain of an organism are provided, the methods comprising the steps of amplifying, in a single reaction mixture containing nucleic acid from the organism, dividing the reaction mixture into a plurality of sets of second-stage reaction wells, each set of second-stage reaction wells containing a different pair of second-stage primers, subjecting each of the second-stage reaction wells to amplification conditions to generate a plurality of second-stage amplicons, melting the second-stage amplicons to generate a melting curve for each second-stage amplicon, and identifying the strain of the organism from the melting curves.

Abstract: Devices, containers, and methods are provided for performing biological analysis in a closed environment. Illustrative biological analyses include nucleic acid amplification and detection and immuno-PCR.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for simultaneously amplifying a plurality of sample wells for a predetermined amount of amplification, detecting whether amplification has occurred in a first set of the wells, amplifying for an additional amount of amplification and detecting whether amplification has occurred in a second set of the wells. Methods are also provided for analyzing a target nucleic acid sequence using melt curves that were generated in a plurality of amplification cycles.

Abstract: Devices, containers, and methods are provided for performing biological analysis in a closed environment. Illustrative biological analyzes include high density nucleic acid amplification and detection and immune-PCR.

Abstract: Methods and containers are provided for identifying a species, illustratively a bacterial species. Illustrative methods comprise amplifying various genes in the nucleic acid from the bacterial species in a single reaction mixture using pairs of outer first-stage primers designed to hybridize to generally conserved regions of the respective genes to generate a plurality of first-stage amplicons, dividing the reaction mixture into a plurality of second-stage reactions, each using a unique pair of second-stage primers, each pair of second-stage primers specific for a target bacterial species or subset of bacterial species, detecting which of the second-stage reactions amplified, and identifying the bacterial species based on second-stage amplification.