Abstract: An electrochemical microfluidic device has one or a plurality of microstructures, such as a microchannel, in which an electrically conductive means is integrated to reduce the ohmic resistance within the microstructure and hence to improve electrochemical measurements particularly when large current densities are involved. The electrically conductive means can be connected as a counter-electrode and can be used to re-generate the product of the reaction occurring at the working electrode. A method of fabricating electrochemical microfluidic devices comprising such an electrically conductive means is also disclosed. The invention may particularly be used in all electrochemical sensor applications where detection is performed in small volumes.

Abstract: A substrate which can be used for the direct identification of pathogenic bacteria belonging to the genus Listeria by detecting an esterase activity other than Phosphatidyl Inositol-specific Phospholipase C (PI-PLC), an esterase which is specific to the species Listeria monocytogenes. The use of two substrates, one as described above and the other specific for all or some members of the genus Listeria, and a reaction medium containing such a substrate or such a combination of substrates are disclosed. An identification method which exploits such culture media is also disclosed. The invention is particularly applicable in the field of diagnosis.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) which includes at least one planar surface (2) having compartments (3) which are defined by a partition (4), the compartments creating a space which makes it possible to displace at least one liquid sample (5 and/or 15) and, when there are at least two liquid samples (5 and 15), makes it possible to displace them both in an independent way and bring them together so that they can react with one another. The compartments (3) include at least two different types of groove: a deep groove (6), capable of partitioning the sample(s) (5 and/or 15), and a shallow groove capable of receiving the sample (s) (5 and/or 15), the two types of groove (6 and 16) making it possible to direct sample movements (5 and/or 15) by altering the orientation of the apparatus (1). The invention is particularly applicable for the micromanipulation of fluids in biological applications.

Abstract: A method of detecting rpoB sequences of Mycobacterium tuberculosis present in a biological sample that includes steps of amplifying the M. tuberculosis rpoB sequence in vitro in a nucleic acid amplification mixture that includes specific disclosed primer sequences, and detecting the amplified sequences by using probes that provide information by their specific hybridization to portions of the amplified nucleic acid is disclosed. Compositions for amplifying and detecting in vitro the rpoB sequences of M. tuberculosis in a sample are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of detecting rpoB sequences of Mycobacterium tuberculosis present in a biological sample that includes steps of amplifying the M. tuberculosis rpoB sequence in vitro in a nucleic acid amplification mixture that includes specific disclosed primer sequences, and detecting the amplified sequences by using probes that provide information by their specific hybridization to portions of the amplified nucleic acid is disclosed. Compositions for amplifying and detecting in vitro the rpoB sequences of M. tuberculosis in a sample are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to retro peptides, as well as antibodies thereto, and to their uses, chiefly in the field of preparation of pharmaceutical compositions, in particular vaccines, and for in vitro diagnosis of various pathologies.

Abstract: A biochip, and a device for reading the biochip, the biochip including a plurality of molecular recognition areas distributed with a determined layout to create a format of molecular recognition areas and a mechanism for making optical position marks for each molecular recognition area, distributed with a determined layout to form an optical format. The optical format and the format of recognition areas are formats produced independently of each other. A mechanism is provided determining the relative position of the two formats being provided on the biochip.

Abstract: A method for drawing a biological sample using a suction-discharge device, such as a manual or automatic pipette, built into an automated device or not. A method for detecting the free surface of a biological sample and/or solid, a sample drawing device such as a pipette and a device for detecting the free surface of a biological sample or a solid are also disclosed. This method includes actuating a means causing a pressure variation or an air flow within the suction-discharge device, positioning the lower free end of the device in such a way so that it becomes flush with a free surface of the biological sample, measuring an overpressure within the suction-discharge device, and sampling a quantity of the sample by suction using the device. The invention finds a preferable application in the field of automatic analyzers.

Abstract: An alizarin-based chromogenic substrate, a composition containing the substrate, and its use to detect the presence of an enzymatic activity are disclosed. The substrate is particularly applicable in the field of biological diagnosis.

Abstract: This invention concerns a valve (2), with at least one channel (3) running through it, allowing a fluid (F3) to be directed by transfer means within a device (1), the device (1) featuring at least one face (4), possibly flat, the valve (2) consisting of a film (7 or 16), flexible and/or which can be deformed, fixed on all or part of the face (4) of said device (1), and a film actuator (7), which enables said valve (2) to be activated or deactivated, this actuator consisting of an electrical power source. It also consists of a test sample card (1) equipped with at least one valve (2), and a process for actuating the valve (2), as described above. The invention is particularly applicable in the field of diagnosis.

Abstract: Sequences of nucleic acid oligonucleotides for amplifying different portions of gag and pol genes of HIV-1 and for detecting such amplified nucleic acid sequences are disclosed. Methods of amplifying and detecting HIV-1 nucleic acid in a biological sample using the amplification oligonucleotides specific for gag and pol target sequences are disclosed.

Abstract: An enzyme substrate which includes a target portion and a marker portion, hydrolysis of the substrate leading to separation of the target portion from the marker portion, and the target portion being specific for the enzyme activity being assayed. A formulation containing at least one such substrate, and a method for detecting the bacterial species Pseudomonas aeruginosa is also disclosed. The target portion of the substrate is specific for ?-alanine aminopeptidase activity and the marker portion is a compound which reveals whether a hydrolysis reaction has taken place or not. The invention is particularly applicable in the field of diagnosis.

Abstract: A valve (2), crossed by at least one channel (3), allowing to direct at least one fluid (F5) displaced by a transfer device within a test sample card (1), the card (1) featuring two faces (4 and 5) connected to one another (4) (5) by an edge (6). A card equipped with a device allowing several cards equipped with such valves to be implemented is made up of a flexible film (7), and/or which can be distorted, part of which is fixed to at least one of the faces (4 and/or 5) of said card (1) on the one hand, and a film compression device (7), which can be deactivated on the other hand. In addition, securing is carried out on at least one of the plane faces (4 and/or 5), for example, by a securing device located at the level of a recession (9) peripheral to the valve (2), such as a groove (9). The valve is particularly applicable in the field of diagnosis.

Abstract: A device (1) for actuating at least one piston (2) moving axially in the bore (3) of a body (4), the piston (2) being driven by the longitudinal or curved movement (F2) of a control arm (5). Also disclosed is a method for detecting a failure in a device (1) having an intermediary element (6), located between the piston (2) and the control arm (5), this intermediary element (6) being also used as an alarm means should the intermediary element (6) be missing between the piston (2) and the arm (5). The invention is particularly applicable in the field of diagnosis.

Abstract: An apparatus including at least one sonotrode (2) designed to generate ultrasound of variable power in at least one biological sample (5) containing cells to be lysed, the sample (5) being contained in at least one receptacle (4 or 10) such that the sonotrode (2) is in direct contact with the receptacle(s) (4). Also disclosed is a method for using ultrasound to lyse a biological sample (5) contained in a receptacle (4), which includes placing the receptacle (4) in direct contact with the sonotrode (2), and activating the sonotrode (2) for long enough to lyse the cells in the sample (5) but preserve the DNA and/or RNA molecules released for subsequent operations, e.g. amplification. The invention is particularly applicable in the discipline of molecular biology.

Abstract: A method for drawing a biological sample using a suction-discharge device, such as a manual or automatic pipette, built into an automated device or not. A method for detecting the free surface of a biological sample and/or solid, a sample drawing device such as a pipette and a device for detecting the free surface of a biological sample or a solid are also disclosed. This method includes actuating a means causing a pressure variation or an air flow within the suction-discharge device, positioning the lower free end of the device in such a way so that it becomes flush with a free surface of the biological sample, measuring an overpressure within the suction-discharge device, and sampling a quantity of the sample by suction using the device. The invention finds a preferable application in the field of automatic analyzers.

Abstract: Sequences of nucleic acid oligonucleotides for amplifying different portions of gag and pol genes of HIV-1 and for detecting such amplified nucleic acid sequences are disclosed. Methods of amplifying and detecting HIV-1 nucleic acid in a biological sample using the amplification oligonucleotides specific for gag and pol target sequences are disclosed.

Abstract: A nitrocoumarin compound or one of its derivatives which are fluorescent in the reduced state, and the use of these compounds for detecting the presence or absence of at least one microorganism. The invention concerns the use of these compounds, methods for isolating and detecting microorganisms or a group of microorganisms in a sample likely to contain them, and various applications thereof. Also disclosed is a method for detecting nitroaryl reductase activity in a bacteria culture medium.

Abstract: A device for reading a biochip including plural molecular recognition areas and plural optical positioning marks, associated with recognition areas. The device includes an optical head capable of projecting excitation light onto the biochip. A device is provided to effectuate relative displacement between the head and the biochip. A first optical analysis system is associated with the optical head to receive any light arriving from recognition areas. A second optical positioning system is associated with the optical head to receive any light from at least one guide track and/or optical positioning mark. A device is further provided for servocontrolling scanning by the optical head. Such a device may find particular application to biological and chemical analysis.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward methods and kits for the detection of antibodies associated with autoimmune disorders or infectious agents in an individual employing immunoretroid peptides derived from antigens associated with said disorders and agents.