Abstract: A method of individually releasing from an entity one or more members of a sub-group of biological units included in a heterogeneous group of biological units is provided. The method includes binding the group of biological units including the sub-group of biological units to the entity via a linker. Following binding, the location of the one or more members on the entity is determined. Once the location is determined, a localized physical pulse is applied to the one or more members. The localized physical pulse individually releases the one or more members from the entity by dissociating the linker.

Abstract: Systems, methods and multi-well plates comprising an array of wells for thermal treatment of chemical or biological samples are disclosed. Each of the wells comprises a bottom opening, an upper opening, inner side walls extending from the bottom opening to the upper opening, a protrusion extending from the inner side walls into the well with a first cross-sectional area and located at a height from the bottom opening which is smaller than the height from the upper opening. A sample chamber with a second cross-sectional area is formed between the bottom opening and the protrusion. An upper chamber with a third cross-sectional area is formed between the protrusion and the upper opening, and in which the first cross-sectional area is smaller than the third cross-sectional area and smaller than or equal to the second cross-sectional area.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a disposable sample holding and processing device (1) dimensioned for being operated in a nucleic acid amplification apparatus for analyzing a liquid sample containing a nucleic acid by a nucleic acid amplification technique. The device (1) comprises chambers (15, 16) and channels (44) designed to perform the steps of capturing, amplification and detection of the nucleic acid within the device (1), and optionally also a lysis chamber (3). The binding chamber (15) contains a solid phase (14) for immobilization of a component of the sample to be analyzed, and the amplification chamber (16) is connected to the binding chamber (15) by a fluid channel (44).

Abstract: A test magazine with two film strips (12, 14), which are joined to one another in a sandwich-like manner, can be wound up, and between which holding cells (16) for test elements are kept free. The test magazine also comprises a multitude of test elements (18, 20) each having a puncturing unit (18) for inserting into body tissue and a test unit (20) for being subjected to body fluid. To this end, the puncturing units (18) and test units (20) are placed in separate holding cells (16) whereby separating them from one another.

Abstract: A system for dispensing one or more fluids into wells of a target multi-well plate, a holder and a method thereof are disclosed. The system provides the holder which holds the multi-well plate in a predefined holding position, the plate having a well region provided with wells for accommodating the fluids and an edge region surrounding the well region. The holder includes: a contact area which contacts the edge region to form a sealing zone which air-tightly seals a void formed between the holder and the plate; a supporting face which supports the well region in a planar condition; and a duct which connects to a pump to generate a negative pressure in the void so as to draw the well region onto the supporting face.

Abstract: Described is a process for the separation of a sample mixture for analytical reason based on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The method is involving a first separation in a first gel strip on the basis of isoelectric points and a second separation in a second gel on the basis of molecular size. When starting the separation in the second dimension the buffer solution for transferring the compounds separated in the first dimension into the second dimension gel is containing sodium dodecyl-sulfate (SDS) and by applying an electric field the SDS migrates electrokinetically into the first gel strip, and the compounds are being complexed simultaneously with SDS.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, devices and computer programs for preparing nucleic acids from a template nucleic acid by subjecting a sample to thermocycles. After a first number of thermocycles, a partial amount of the reaction mixture is being subjected to a second number of thermocycles. This two step amplification method speeds up overall reaction time without affecting the limit of detection.

Abstract: Systems, methods and multi-well plates comprising an array of wells for thermal treatment of chemical or biological samples are disclosed. Each of the wells comprises a bottom opening, an upper opening, inner side walls extending from the bottom opening to the upper opening, a protrusion extending from the inner side walls into the well with a first cross-sectional area and located at a height from the bottom opening which is smaller than the height from the upper opening. A sample chamber with a second cross-sectional area is formed between the bottom opening and the protrusion. An upper chamber with a third cross-sectional area is formed between the protrusion and the upper opening, and in which the first cross-sectional area is smaller than the third cross-sectional area and smaller than or equal to the second cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A high-density multiwell-plate for performing thermocycled amplification reactions of polynucleotides in liquid samples comprising a plurality of reaction wells is disclosed. In order to provide a better thermal insulation, the plate comprises a rigid well-forming structure placed above a bottom layer, wherein substantially horizontal well-covering areas cover the liquid sample comprised in the wells, and a substantially plane cover placed above the well-forming structure providing a thermal insulating air distance between the well-covering areas and the cover.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a disposable sample holding and processing device (1) dimensioned for being operated in a nucleic acid amplification apparatus for analyzing a liquid sample containing a nucleic acid by a nucleic acid amplification technique. The device (1) comprises chambers (15, 16) and channels (44) designed to perform the steps of capturing, amplification and detection of the nucleic acid within the device (1), and optionally also a lysis chamber (3). The binding chamber (15) contains a solid phase (14) for immobilization of a component of the sample to be analyzed, and the amplification chamber (16) is connected to the binding chamber (15) by a fluid channel (44).

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention are directed to an automatic apparatus (55), which is designed for performing nucleic acid analysis, optionally including sample preparation, with integrated disposable sample holding and processing devices (1), which devices (1) comprise a sample to be analyzed with the apparatus (55). The apparatus (55) comprises workstations (17, 40) for receiving, holding and processing such integrated disposable devices (1), a reagents station (56) for reagents (25), transfer means (36) for performing movements of an actuator, fluid actuation means for processing the sample (32) and reagents in said disposable devices (1), temperature control means (37) for heating or cooling, detection means for measuring a property of the processed samples (32), and control means for controlling the sample (32) preparation, the handling of the disposable devices (1) and the sample analysis performed by the apparatus (55).

Abstract: A disposable electrophoresis device for separation of a complex protein sample, using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and method thereof are disclosed. The device comprises a carrier with a first area for a first dimension gel strip and a second area for a second dimension gel, where the two areas are directly in contact with each other. The device further comprises a body made of a hard component and an elastic component layer at a variable distance from the carrier. The body further comprises at least one cavity for external actuation of at least one valve, wherein the valve is represented by the elastic component layer.

Abstract: A test magazine with two film strips (12, 14), which are joined to one another in a sandwich-like manner, can be wound up, and between which holding cells (16) for test elements are kept free. The test magazine also comprises a multitude of test elements (18, 20) each having a puncturing unit (18) for inserting into body tissue and a test unit (20) for being subjected to body fluid. To this end, the puncturing units (18) and test units (20) are placed in separate holding cells (16) whereby separating them from one another.

Abstract: A method is provided that conveniently allows rapid amplification of nucleic acids. Two different heat sources are used to heat the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Described is a process for the separation of a sample mixture for analytical reason based on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The method is involving a first separation in a first gel strip on the basis of isoelectric points and a second separation in a second gel on the basis of molecular size. When starting the separation in the second dimension the buffer solution for transferring the compounds separated in the first dimension into the second dimension gel is containing sodium dodecyl-sulfate (SDS) and by applying an electric field the SDS migrates electrokinetically into the first gel strip, and the compounds are being complexed simultaneously with SDS.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, devices and computer programs for preparing nucleic acids from a template nucleic acid by subjecting a sample to thermocycles. After a first number of thermocycles, a partial amount of the reaction mixture is being subjected to a second number of thermocycles. This two step amplification method speeds up overall reaction time without affecting the limit of detection.

Abstract: A method to adjust a temperature of a fluid is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of providing a heat sink taking effect on the fluid, heating the fluid by Joule heating, and adjusting the heat provided by Joule heating in order to reach a desired temperature of the fluid. Furthermore, an apparatus to carry out the method is also disclosed. Therewith, a very efficient temperature change of the fluid can very quickly be obtained since the temperature of the surrounding is not substantially changed by heat diffusion. While a temperature increase is carried out by Joule heating, a temperature decrease is carried out by simply deactivating Joule heating. As soon as Joule heating is deactivated, the heat is extracted from the fluid by the heat sink, thereby initiating a high speed temperature change towards lower temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a microfluidic device capable of conveying a liquid by capillary forces. The microfluidic device comprises a microfluidic channel system comprising i) a liquid supply compartment; ii) a first channel connected to the liquid supply compartment, having at least one non-closing valve located downstream of the liquid supply compartment; and iii) a second channel. The second channel branches-off from the first channel downstream of the liquid supply compartment but upstream of the at least one non-closing valve and which re-unites with the first channel at the location of the non-closing valve to form an outlet channel. The second channel does not contain any non-closing or closing valve thus creating an unobstructed liquid flow path connecting the liquid supply compartment with the outlet channel.

Abstract: Very large amounts of data may be handled by the user interface of computers. The main processor is thus permanently overloaded, so that the computing power available for the actual application is sharply reduced in a manner that cannot be predicted without limiting the user requests. A new computer architecture is disclosed which allows a higher and more exactly predictable computing power to be achieved. In order to make the rest of the system independent from the user interface, the computer is subdivided in such a way that a first module (part 1) takes over the display and operation tasks of the user interface, a second module (part 2) takes over the processing of the application programs without their user interface, and a third module (part 3) takes over the remaining functional units. All modules have their own internal data paths. An interface between the first and second modules support the exchange of messages and data without affecting the independent processes in the first and second modules.