Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for optically exciting a plurality of analytes (12) in an array of reaction vessels (14) and for sensing fluorescent light from the analytes (12), wherein excitation light from an excitation light source (38) is supplied to the analytes (12) and wherein fluorescent light from the analytes (12) is simultaneously supplied to a fluorescent detector (34), wherein a plurality of beams (30) of the excitation light is directed into the reaction vessels (14) below the cover (28) through an array of holes (26) in a cover (28) arranged above the array of reaction vessels (14) and a plurality of beams (32) of the fluorescent light from the reaction vessels (14) reaches the fluorescent detector (34).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (12; 72) for optically measuring fluorescence of nucleic acids in test samples (14). The device (12; 72) comprises a plurality of sample wells (32) each for receiving an upright sample tube (16) made of a transparent material, having a side wall (20) and a bottom end (22) and containing one of the test samples (14) together with at least one fluorescent dye, at least one excitation light source (24; 74, 76, 78, 80) disposed in the vicinity of each sample well (32) for directing an excitation light beam through the side wall (20) of the sample tube (16) into the test sample (14) for exciting the dye, and an optical fluorescence detector (28) disposed underneath the bottom end (22) of each sample tube (16) for capturing fluorescence emitted from the dye in the test sample (14) upon excitation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting and/or identifying Gram-positive bacteria with high GC content, in particular mycobacteria. The method comprises a nucleic acid amplification reaction and a subsequent hybridization reaction with suitable primers and probes. The invention furthermore relates to oligonucleotides, compositions, solid phases and kits which may be used for carrying out the method of the invention.