Abstract: A device includes a memory receiving fluorescence images obtained by filming a real-time PCR reaction in a flat chamber, and an analyzer producing a PCR activity image from the fluorescence images with a homogeneous reaction medium in which PCR reagents can diffuse. The PCR activity image having activity regions in each of which PCR activity is determined as likely based on the fluorescence value of the pixels of these activity regions in the fluorescence images, the pixels of the activity regions each receiving a weighting value. The device further includes an evaluator analyzing the fluorescence images by weighting in each image the fluorescence value of each pixel by the weighting value of that pixel in the activity image, and returning a value indicating whether the filmed real-time PCR reaction exhibits PCR amplification, a threshold cycle value, and a concentration curve during the PCR reaction.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed for the amplification of nucleic acid sequences, which is intended to be mixed with a biological sample containing one or more target nucleic acid sequences and with primers specific for the target nucleic acid sequence(s), and fluorescent probes for revealing an amplification of the target nucleic acid sequence(s). The composition includes reagents and enzymes for nucleic acid application. The composition also includes a polymerizable reagent, which polymerizes under the influence of a stimulation chosen from a heat stimulation and a light stimulation, so as to form a hydrogel which locally encapsulates each target nucleic acid sequence when the composition is exposed to the stimulation. A method using said composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for multiplexed detection of nucleic acid sequences comprises a thermal cycler arranged to perform a series of thermal cycles with an in vitro nucleic acid extraction reagent containing at least two fluorescence probes combining a quencher and a fluorophore. The fluorescence probes are each arranged to target a distinct nucleic acid sequence and the fluorophores have overlapping fluorescence wavelength ranges. A light sensor is arranged to measure radiation emitted by the fluorophores in the fluorescence wavelength ranges, the radiation emitted by each probe varying depending on whether the latter is in a non-modified state in which the quencher mitigates, or does not substantially mitigate, the fluorescence emission, or in a modified state in which the quencher has an opposite effect on the fluorescence emission.

Abstract: A microfluidic sample chip to test biological samples, especially for a PCR-type and/or fluorescence assay. The chip being in the shape of a hollow block having at least one chamber delimited by an upper wall, a lower wall and at least one side wall, into which a sample can be introduced for testing. The lower wall of the block is made of a material with a high thermal conductivity and the upper wall is made of a material with a low thermal conductivity. Preferably, the upper wall is preferably permeable to radiation in the visible spectrum between 400 and 700 nm. The block having at least two openings through which the sample can be introduced into at least one of the chambers and through which the air present in the chamber can be evacuated when the sample is introduced.

Abstract: A microfluidic thermalization chip, a system using such a chip and a PCR method for detecting DNA sequences. The chip contains a block of material in which a cavity is configured to contain at least one fluid. The cavity includes at least one inlet orifice and at least one outlet orifice. The inlet orifice for the fluid is connected to at least one, preferably at least two, fluid-injecting channels. Further, the chip includes at least one microfluidic channel for bypassing the cavity. The channel is connected by a first end to at least one of the fluid-injecting channels. The junction between the bypassing channel and the fluid-injecting channel is located at a distance L from the inlet orifice of the fluid-injecting channel. The distance L is preferably smaller than 2 cm.