Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of analysis for example biological analysis. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process of detecting at least one microorganism present in a sample placed in a closed container, said method comprising essentially the following steps: a) Place said sample in contact in the container with at least one culture medium and a support capable of capturing the microorganism(s) to be detected, b) Close the container, c) Place the container under conditions capable of allowing the growth of the microorganism(s), d) Detect, inside said closed container, using detection means, the presence of the microorganism(s) fixed onto the capture support.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved tests for the detection: of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bearing a variant mecA gene. The tests are particularly useful for eliminating certain false negative results due to the presence of this variant in MRSA in patient samples.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for preparation and/or treatment of a biological sample comprising a set of storage chambers and/or reaction chambers intended for receiving a fluid, the chambers being separated by walls so as to constitute a set of adjacent chambers. It also relates to an analysis apparatus capable of using such a device and also a method of using this device. The device comprises a base and a drawer comprising the set of adjacent chambers, the drawer being movable relative to the base, the drawer comprising a contact surface on which emerge first means for placing in fluidic communication linked to the volume of at least one chamber, the contact surface of the drawer being intended to be positioned facing a contact surface of the base comprising at least one position at which there are arranged second fluidic communication means linked to detection means. The invention has a preferred application in the field of medical diagnosis.

Abstract: A method for characterizing at least one microorganism from a sample includes identifying the at least one microorganism and determining the properties of typing, potential resistance to at least one antimicrobial, and virulence factor. The properties of typing, resistance to at least one antimicrobial, and virulence factor for the at least one microorganism are determined by implementing mass spectrometry using proteins, peptides and/or metabolites as markers of the properties of typing, resistance to at least one antimicrobial, and virulence factor.

Abstract: A microfluidic device (1000-1005), comprising: a semiconductor body (2) having a first side (2a) and a second side (2b) opposite to one another, and housing, at the first side, a plurality of wells (4), having a first depth; an inlet region (30) forming an entrance point for a fluid to be supplied to the wells; a main channel (6a) fluidically connected to the inlet region, and having a second depth; and a plurality of secondary channels (6b) fluidically connecting the main channel to a respective well, and having a third depth. The first depth is higher than the second depth, which in turn is higher than the third depth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable device (100) for amplifying at least one target nucleic acid present in a liquid and biological sample of interest, which consists of a solid body (2), at least one fluid channel (3) connecting an inlet (4), via which all or part of the sample of interest can be drawn up and/or discharged, and an outlet (5), which is itself connected to a means for the drawing up/discharging of the said sample of interest, the fluid channel (3) further comprising from the inlet (4) to the outlet (5): a first compartment (8) containing all or part of the thermostable constituents, a means (15) for mixing the constituents with the sample of interest, a second compartment (9) containing all or part of the non-thermostable constituents, and in addition, at least one zone intended for heating the said sample of interest (6) mixed with the said amplification constituents in order to allow the amplification of the target nucleic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to fluorescent/fluorogenic probes of formula (I?) or (II?): wherein Z is chosen between: —NH2 and —OH, or in the fluorescence quencher group consisting of: —NO2; —N?N—R1; R1 being any organic group that does not obscure the corresponding azo bond; —NHCO-Pept.; Pept. being a peptide residue or any organic group that does not obscure the corresponding amide bond; —O-Glyc.; Glyc. being a oligoglycoside residue that does not obscure the corresponding glycosidic bond; —O—C(O)—R2; —O—P(O)(OR2)(OR2?) and —O—S(O)2—R2; R2 and R2? being independently a hydrogen atom or an organic group that does not obscure the corresponding ester bond; and ?Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd and Re being independently a hydrogen atom or any organic group that does not obscure the corresponding arylether bond so as not to prevent its possible cleavage by a myeloperoxidase activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides comprising a enzymatically non-active cell wall binding domain of an endolysin or another cell wall lysing enzyme, and a sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 or derivatives thereof, wherein the polypeptide besides the cell wall binding domain comprises no further domains of an endolysin, as well as means for their preparation. The present invention further relates to methods for binding, enriching, removing from a sample, capturing and/or detecting bacteria, particularly gram positive bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved tests for the detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bearing a variant mecA gene. The tests are particularly useful for eliminating certain false negative results due to the presence of this variant in MRSA in patient samples.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of microbiological testing of food. It relates to a kit comprising a reaction medium containing at least one inhibitor of Gram-negative bacteria and a fluorescent substrate specific for PC-PLC. It further relates to a diagnostic kit for identifying bacteria of the Bacillus cereus group comprising a container of a selective or nonselective reaction medium with a pH between 6.8 and 8.0, the medium comprising at least one inhibitor of Gram-negative bacteria and a fluorescent phosphatidylcholine phospholipase C (PC-PLC) substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved tests for the detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The tests are particularly useful for eliminating false positive results due to the presence of a mixed bacterial population in patient samples.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for mixing a heterogeneous solution containing at least two different liquids and, optionally, at least one solid entity, so as to obtain a homogeneous solution, the process comprising the following steps: a) all or part of the heterogeneous solution is placed in at least one vessel having a longitudinal axis; b) the vessel is positioned on a support driven about a rotation axis, the longitudinal axis being inclined to the rotation axis; and c) the support is made to undergo a movement so as to subject the solution contained in the vessel to successive accelerations and decelerations of sinusoidal intensity, thereby stirring said heterogeneous solution, which becomes homogeneous. The invention also relates to a device for implementing the above process. A preferential application of the invention is in the field of medical diagnostics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the selective purification of bacterial cells and/or cell components, whereby the purification is performed by means of a solid support.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a compound having formula (I) as an enzymatic substrate for the detection of a nitroreductase activity, wherein: W1, W2, W3 and W4 are independently H, Br, Cl, F, I, alkyl, alkoxy, thiomethyl, perfluoroalkyl, nitro, cyano, carboxyl (including the esters or amides thereof) or any combination of same; n=0, 1 or 2; X is NR, CZ5Z6, S or O, R being H, alkyl, aralkyl, aryl, alkanoic or alkylsulphonic, Z5 and Z6 being an alkyl; Y is N or N+R, R being alkyl, aralkyl, aryl, alkanoic or alkylsulphonic; Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4 are independently H, Br, Cl, F, I, alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, perfluoroalkyl, nitro, cyano, carboxyl, sulphonyl, including the sulphonyl or carboxyl amides or esters thereof, and the salts of same.

Abstract: Pipetting errors are detected by: (a) during pipetting, measuring the pressure in the tip of a pipetting device and determining an earlier rate of change of the pressure in the tip; (b) based on the earlier rate of pressure change and a previous pressure value pi, determining an expectation range for the pressure pi+1 at a further moment in time and/or an expectation range for the rate of pressure change ?i+1 based on the pressure at the further moment in time ti+1; (c) at the further moment in time ti+1 measuring the pressure pi+1 in the tip; and (d) determining the occurrence of a pipetting error by comparing the measured pressure pi+1 at the further moment ti+1 in time and/or a rate of pressure change ?i+1 calculated on the basis of the pressure pi+1 at the further moment ti+1 in time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying bacteria of the Bacillus cereus group, comprising the following steps: (a) providing a sample that may contain bacteria of the Bacillus cereus group, a reaction medium comprising at least one fluorescent phosphatidylcholine phospholipase C (PC-PLC) substrate and an inhibitor of Gram-negative bacteria; (b) inoculating the reaction medium with the sample; (c) incubating the inoculated reaction medium; and (d) identifying the bacteria of the Bacillus cereus group by detecting the PC-PLC substrate hydrolysis reaction, in which the pH of the reaction medium and the time necessary for detecting the PC-PLC substrate hydrolysis reaction are adapted such that said hydrolysis reaction by bacteria of the Bacillus cereus group is detected before hydrolysis of the PC-PLC substrate by any Gram-positive bacteria other than those belonging to the Bacillus cereus group, that may be present in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention is related to nucleic acid sequences that can be used in the field of virus diagnostics, more specifically the diagnosis of infections with the AIDS causing Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV). With the present invention nucleotide sequences are provided that can be used as primers and probes in the amplification and detection of HIV-1 nucleic acid. The oligonucleotide sequences provided with the present invention are located in the LTR part of the HIV viral genome. It has been found that, by using the sequences of the present invention in methods for the amplification and detection of nucleic acid a sensitive and specific detection of HIV-1 can be obtained. The benefit of the sequences of the present invention primarily resides in the fact that, with the aid of primers and probes comprising the sequences according to the invention the nucleic acid of all presently known subtypes of HIV-1 can be detected with high accuracy and sensitivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for performing an immunoassay, the device including a) a support, b) a porous matrix, fixed on the support, the matrix including (i) a liquid sample application area, (ii) a labeling area and (iii) at least one reaction area which includes a test results display area and a verification area, said liquid sample application area labeling area and reaction area being in fluid communication; the device including, at the verification area, at least a part of the porous matrix has pores with dimensions smaller than those of the labeled particles, such that at least a proportion of the labeled particles from the labeling area is stopped at said verification area forming a symbol which is visible or displayable for a user; and a method for manufacturing the device.

Abstract: Gluing process for micro-structured substrates. The invention is applicable particularly to the fabrication of micro-fluidic components. In order to glue a micro-structured substrate having upper coplanar plane areas and recesses between them, a grid is placed above the substrate, the grid is coated with a glue, using a tool that presses on the grid and locally brings it into contact with the areas, so as to deposit a film of glue droplets on them, and the grid is removed. Furthermore, the upper coplanar plane areas are treated before the film of glue droplets is deposited, this treatment being designed to adapt wettability of these areas to the glue.

Abstract: A microfluidic device (1000-1005), comprising: a semiconductor body (2) having a first side (2a) and a second side (2b) opposite to one another, and housing, at the first side, a plurality of wells (4), having a first depth; an inlet region (30) forming an entrance point for a fluid to be supplied to the wells; a main channel (6a) fluidically connected to the inlet region, and having a second depth; and a plurality of secondary channels (6b) fluidically connecting the main channel to a respective well, and having a third depth. The first depth is higher than the second depth, which in turn is higher than the third depth.