Abstract: A method and a kit for detecting a mutation from a non-mutated sequence of a target polynucleotide in a sample, by using a mismatch binding protein. The method comprises: a) providing non-mutated and mutated target polynucleotide; b) forming duplex of the non-mutated and mutated single strands of the target polynucleotide in a); c) adding a single strand binding protein to the polynucleotide from b); d) incubating the mismatch binding protein with an activating agent; e) adding the incubated mismatch binding protein from d) to the polynucleotide from c), whereby the mismatch binding protein binds to the duplex formed by one non-mutated and one mutated single strand of the target polynucleotide; f) detecting the presence of any mismatch binding protein bound to the target polynucleotide.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting gas bubbles, in a liquid flow, comprises a one-piece housing (1) of a material that is transmissive to ultrasound, a liquid passage (2) extending through the housing (1), inlet and outlet means on the housing (1) for connecting the liquid passage (2) to the liquid flow, and ultrasonic transducer means (3, 4) on the housing on each side of the liquid passage (2), one transducer means being arranged as sender and the other transducer means being arranged as receiver, with the liquid passage (2) positioned in the sound transmission path between the sender and the receiver, whereby inhomogeneities in the liquid flow can be detected based on the emitted ultrasound energy that is received by the receiver. The housing (1) has two opposed recesses (6, 7), one on the sender side of the liquid passage (2) and one on the receiver side thereof, which recesses in a direction perpendicular to the sound transmission path as well as to the liquid passage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chromatography column having adapters that include an end-plate and a perforated plate such as to form a gap between the end-plate and the perforated plate. The column is particularly suited for large-scale chromatography in which matrices of small particle sizes are used.

Abstract: A nucleic acid analysis method is provided which includes the steps of using a primer to amplify the nucleic acid; providing an array of probes, each probe comprising a sequence identical to the primer and an adjacent sequence; applying fragments of the amplifier nucleic acid under hybridisation conditions to the array, effecting enzymatic chain extension of any probe where the adjacent sequence matches that of a hybridised fragment of the amplified nucleic acid; and observing the location of probes of the array while chain extension has taken place.

Abstract: An access valve suitable for controlling fluid flow into and out of a chromatography column has a central axially movable probe with a head (71) acting as a spool valve in a barrel (6). Axial movement of the probe adjusts the valve between a fully open condition, in which both a first conduit (73) ending though the probe and a second conduit (51) defined around the probe are open to the column interior, a partly open condition in which a second sealing land (76) on the probe closes the second conduit (51), and a fully closed position in which both conduits are closed. The three options are useful for packing and unpacking chromatography media into and from the column. In the closed condition of the valve, the first and second conduits (73, 51) communicate with one another so that the valve interior can be cleaned while the column is operating.

Abstract: A method and a system for identifying mutations within nucleic acid sequences. Using raw data signals from conventional nucleic acid sequencing equipment, a method to create input signals that enables a properly trained neural network to output a mutation/no mutation signal is provided. Further, an instrument system to perform the method is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of calibrating an optical system, the system comprising a flash lamp as a light source (4), a lens system (6), a monochromator comprising a grating (10), a motor (20) for displacing the grating so as to enable scanning essentially monochromatic light over a detection system. The light source provides at least two high intensity peaks at distinct wavelengths. The method comprises scanning a first wavelength region comprising at least one of said at least two high intensity peaks, and measuring the intensities at a selected number of points during the scan. A first of said at least two peaks is coarsely located. A wavelength region around each of said at least two peaks is scanned, measuring the intensities at closer intervals than previously. At least two peaks are located by autocorrelation. The location of said peaks is determined in terms of a distance from a reference point, said distance corresponding to said displacement of the grating.

Abstract: A method of preparing a liquid mixture of controlled pH including (i) one or more buffering species, (ii) an acid or alternatively a base, (iii) optionally a salt; and (iv) a solvent wherein the proportions of the different components ((I) to (iv)) of the mixture are concomitantly varied in such a way as to take into account of the interrelationship of the ionic strength and the pH of the mixture.

Abstract: A sampling cell of flow-through type and use of such a sampling cell. The sampling cell is preferably manufactured by etching of silicon wafers. It is especially useful for continuous picovolume sampling in an analytical flow. The pressure pulse generator (9) generates pulses directly into a flow channel (3). The flow channel (3) is preferably formed by a first basin (4) in a first structure (1) and a second basin (5) in a second structure (2). In a first embodiment the pressure pulse generator (9) comprises at least one piezo-ceramic disc and/or devices acting by way of magnetostrictive, electrostatical or electromechanical forces and/or devices acting by way of thermal expansion. Method of directing samples from a flow-through sampling cell by establishing a difference in electrical potential between the liquid in the flow-through sampling cell and the object to which the samples are to be directed.

Abstract: A silicon-based carrier matrix having a high ratio of surface area to volume is intended for use in integrated microanalysis systems. The carrier matrix comprises at least one layer of microporous silicon on a body of monocrystalline silicon. A method for producing the carrier matrix comprises electrochemical etching of a body of monocrystalline silicon, thereby to form at least one layer of microporous silicon on this body. The use of the carrier matrix for chemical sensors in integrated microanalysis systems, as well as in various sorts of chromatography, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device in a gel slab assembly for an electrophoresis system having a gel enclosure which is defined by two plates which are spaced by at least two spacing strips, the device being provided with at least one clamp which is arranged to mutually clamp together the plates in the area of a spacing strip. In the device, each clamp is provided with a web portion and two shank portions. The shank portions include force exerting portions. The shank portions have such an extension that lines between force exerting portions pass through a spacing strip when the clamp is in a mounted position. The force exerting portion of one of the shank portions constitutes a hinge portion for cooperation with a groove-like recess in a supporting frame of the gel slab.

Abstract: A cassette is used with a chemical immobilization and treatment system. The system with the cassette performs various complex chemistries with minimal human intervention, near-zero dead volume, and flow-through protocols pursuant to a predetermined instruction set encoded on a multiple-address chemical treatment cassette assembly. The cassette assembly comprises a plurality of analyte sample columns (“mini-columns”), having a high-pressure interface capability to permit direct insertion of the mini-column into a high-pressure solvent line for use as a support column for HPLC analysis. A sample loader loads analyte samples either singly or simultaneously into the multiple, addressable mini-columns without the need to load the sample funnel/column assembly into a separate reaction chamber.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a cassette chemical chemical treatment station. The system with the cassette performs various complex chemistries with minimal human intervention, near-zero dead volume, and flow-through protocols pursuant to a predetermined instruction set encoded on a multiple-address chemical treatment cassette assembly. The cassette assembly having a high pressure interface capability to permit direct insertion of the mini-column into a high-pressre solvent line for use as a support column for HPLC analysis. A sample loader loads analyte samples either singly or simultaneously into the multiple, addressable mini-columns without the need to load the sample funnel/column assembly into a separate reaction chamber.

Abstract: A synthetic polymer based surface is coated with polymer particles without the use of an adhesive. A top surface layer is swollen or semidissolved by contacting with a solvent such as acetone, polymer particles are contacted with the surface to partially embed the particles in the surface layer, and the surface layer is dried. The polymer particles are either dry or in a slurry when contacted with the surface, and contact with the polymer particles may be simultaneous or subsequent to contacting with the solvent. The particles may be particles for chromatography, and may be derivatized before or after contacting with the surface such as by coupling an enzyme, DNA, an antibody or an antigen.

Abstract: A cassette chemical immobilization and treatment method enables the performance of various complex chemistries with minimal human intervention, near-zero dead volume, and flow-through protocols pursuant to a predetermined instruction set encoded on a multiple-address chemical treatment cassette assembly. The cassette assembly comprises a plurality of analyte sample columns ("mini-columns"), having a high-pressure interface capability to permit direct insertion of the mini-column into a high-pressure solvent line for use as a support column for HPLC analysis. A sample loader loads analyte samples either singly or simultaneously into the multiple, addressable mini-columns without the need to load the sample funnel/column assembly into a separate reaction chamber.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a polynucleotide of interest, comprising providing one or more sets of consecutive oligonucleotide primers differing within each set by one base at the growing end therof; annealing a single strand of the polynucleotide or a fragment of the polynucleotide to the oligonucleotide primers under hybridization conditions; subjecting the primers to single base extension reactions with a polymerase and terminating nucleotides, the terminating nucleotides being mutually distinguishable; and observing the location and identity of each terminating nucleotide to thereby analyze the sequence or a part of the nucleotide sequence of the polynucleotide of interest, is disclosed. An apparatus comprising a solid support to which is attached at defined locations thereon one or more sets of consecutive oligonucleotide primers differing within each set by one base at the growing end thereof is also described.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to an apparatus for continuously measuring physical and chemical parameters in a fluid cell comprising a single flow cell having a fluid interface for conducting the fluid through the flow cell, an electrical interface connected to at least one first means provided in the flow cell wall for measuring at least one first parameter of the fluid in the flow cell, and an optical interface for transmitting light into the flow cell and for receiving light from the flow cell to measure at least one second parameter of the fluid in the flow cell.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a separation media based on adsorption comprising a polyvinyl ether having different or identical vinyl ether subunits, and towards an insoluble polyvinyl ether comprising free terminal valencies, side hydrogen or methyl groups, as well as plurality of hydrophillic organic groups, wherein hydrogen is replaced by organic residues having affinity to bioorganic molecules.

Abstract: In a method of forming a microchannel and/or microcavity structure by bonding together two elements (1, 2) having opposed plane surfaces of the same or different materials, one or both surfaces having open channels and/or cavities, bonding is effected by applying to one or both element surfaces (1, 2) a thin layer (3) of a solution of a material capable of fusing with and having a lower melting point than that of the material or materials of the two element surfaces (1, 2) in a solvent which substantially does not dissolve the element surface material or materials. The solvent is then removed, and the two elements (1, 2) are brought together and heated to a temperature where the dissolved material is caused to melt but not the element surface material or materials.

Abstract: Process for separating off a peptide or a nucleic acid by an anion exchanger (I) characterized in that a) the anion exchanger (I) exhibits ligands, which (i) contain a primary, secondary or tertiary amino group and (ii) are covalently bound to an organic polymer (matrix), b) there on a carbon atom at a distance of 2 or 3 atoms away from an amino nitrogen in the ligands is a hydroxyl group or a primary, secondary or tertiary amino group, and c) the maximum elution ionic strength in the pH range 2-14 for at least one of the proteins transferrin, ovalbumin 1, ovalbumin 2, .beta.-lactoglobulin 1 and .beta.-lactoglobulin 2 on the anion exchanger is higher than the elution ionic strength required for a quaternary comparative ion exchanger.