Abstract: A liquid dispensing apparatus comprises a liquid reservoir (32), an outlet port (6; 36) and driving means for forcing liquid (4) through the outlet port (6, 36). The driving means generates a pulse of gas which impinges upon the liquid (4) in the reservoir (32) so as to force liquid (4) through the outlet port (6, 36). Also disclosed is a cassette comprising a plurality of cartridges for dispensing liquid therefrom. Each cartridge comprises a liquid reservoir (32) and an outlet member (36) mounted so as to close an opening (34) in the liquid reservoir (32). The outlet member (36) provides an outlet port through which the liquid can be forced by a pulse of pressurised gas.

Abstract: A seal mechanism, apparatus and method are suggested for confining a chemical reaction in a reaction vessel that is accessible through a self-sealing diaphragm. A movable plunger is reversibly operable between a retracted position where the diaphragm is accessible for injection and/or extraction of reagents, and an operational position wherein the plunger is controlled to apply an external pressure in direct contact with the self-sealing diaphragm.

Abstract: A modular reactor system comprises a backplane connected to a computer and a thermal control unit. The backplane includes a plurality of seats for releasably holding a plurality of modules. Each module holds a reactor vessel that may be used to conduct experiments. A plurality of laboratory instruments, such as motors, switches, sensors and pumps are included within the backplane and on the reactor modules. These laboratory instruments are utilized to perform work on the contents of the reactor vessels when the modules holding the reactor vessels are positioned in the backplane. A computer is connected to the backplane and controls the laboratory instruments within the backplane and on the reactor modules positioned within the backplane. A thermal control unit provides a thermal control fluid that is delivered to the reactors in the reactor modules when the modules are properly seated in the backplane.

Abstract: The present invention related to a method of determining the frequency of an allele in a population of nucleic acid molecules. The method comprises pooling the nucleic acid molecules of a population of nucleic acids, performing primer extension reactions using a primer which binds at a predetermined site located in nucleic acid molecules, and obtaining a pattern of nucleotide incorporation.

Abstract: A method of processing a sample comprising introducing a sample into a flow-through device containing a porous solid media therein, and thereafter subjecting the device to microwave energy.

Abstract: Novel solid supported intermediate products of the general formula coupled to a solid polymeric support through one or both of the R1 groups or through the R4 group which are suitable for synthesis of heterocyclic compounds are disclosed. Methods for preparing such intermediate products are also disclosed and also the use of the intermediate products in simple and fast methods on solid phase for synthesis of heterocycles.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a method of performing a one-pot organic reactions including carbon monoxide as reactant, without the use of an external CO gas source, wherein a reaction mixture containing a solid or liquid CO releasing compound, a non-metal substrate and a metal catalyst is exposed to an energy source to release carbon monoxide from the CO releasing compound and wherein carbon atoms of the released carbon monoxide form a bond with the non-metal substrate compound. The present invention is further drawn to a method of preparing chemical libraries and a kit for organic reactions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying a base at a target position in a sample nucleic acid sequence wherein a primer, which hybridizes to the sample nucleic acid immediately adjacent to the target position, is provided and the sample nucleic acid and primer are subjected to a polymerase reaction in the presence of a nucleotide whereby the nucleotide will only become incorporated if it is complementary to the base in the target position, and said incorporation is detected, characterized in that, a single-stranded nucleic acid binding protein is included in the polymerase reaction step.