Abstract: A vessel of a malleable or moldable material having one or more side walls and a closed base integral with said one or more side walls, an opening in the top of the vessel, and further comprising two or more projections extending into the interior of the vessel generally laterally from said side walls, wherein said projections are also integral with said side wall. Vessels of this type are produced by a process in which ridges are deformed into projections within a vessel blank, and this process forms a further aspect of the invention. They are particularly useful for holding solid masses such as small beads or cakes in position in the vessel.

Abstract: A reaction vessel for conducting a chemical or biochemical reaction, such as a polymerase chain reaction wherein at least one wall of said vessel comprises a metallic layer and an inner non-metallic layer. Reaction systems comprising combinations of vessels of the invention and apparatus for heating them, as well as particular reactions vessels are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing device comprising a hollow body having an opening in a lower end thereof for receiving liquid, and an integrated cap member arranged to sealingly close the body, said cap member comprising a resilient diaphragm which is deformable in a downwards direction. The device is suitable for use in automated apparatus.

Abstract: A vessel of a malleable or mouldable material having one or more side walls and a closed base integral with said one or more side walls, an opening in the top of the vessel, and further comprising two or more projections extending into the interior of the vessel generally laterally from said side walls, wherein said projections are also integral with said side wall. Vessels of this type are produced by a process in which ridges are deformed into projections within a vessel blank, and this process forms a further aspect of the invention. They are particularly useful for holding solid masses such as small beads or cakes in position in the vessel.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for detecting a target nucleic acid molecule of a particular sequence in a sample, said system comprising (i) an oligonucleotide primer complementary to a said target nucleic acid molecule, which primer has no internal complementarity, is able to amplify said target sequence and carries a first label linked to said oligonucleotide at its 5? end; and (ii) an oligonucleotide probe which carries a second label that is able to interact with said first label to produce a detectable signal, wherein the oligonucleotide probe binds an extension product of said primer such that the first and second label can interact to produce a detectable signal. Methods for using said system in particular in a nucleic acid assay, kits comprising the system and elements of it form a further aspect of the invention.

Abstract: There is provided a method of extracting a nucleic acid analyte from a cell or virus in a sample chamber, comprising a) adding disruption beads comprising external silica or glass to the sample chamber; b) agitating the disruption beads within the sample chamber to disrupt the cell; c) adding binding particles comprising external silica or glass to the sample chamber in the presence of a chaotropic agent; d) contacting the contents of the sample chamber with a removal device with which the binding particles reversibly associate; and e) separating the removal device and associated binding particles from the sample chamber, thereby removing the nucleic acid analyte from the sample. There are also provided apparatus and kits for use with the method.

Abstract: There is provided a method of detecting the presence in a sample of a first target sequence and a second target sequence within a test region of a nucleic acid sequence comprising conducting a nucleic acid amplification reaction, to form a forward amplicon strand and a reverse amplicon strand of the test region, contacting the forward amplicon strand with a first probe labelled with a first FRET label and capable of hybridising to the first target sequence of complement thereof in the forward amplicon strand, and contacting the reverse amplicon strand with a second probe labelled with a second FRET label and capable of hybridising to the second target sequence or complement thereof in the reverse amplicon strand; wherein the nucleic acid amplification reaction is conducted using a forward amplification primer labelled with a third FRET label and a reverse amplification primer labelled with a fourth FRET label, the forward primer being incorporated into the forward amplicon strand and the second primer being i

Abstract: A sample delivery system comprising (i) a cartridge comprising a body section adapted to hold a sealed sample vessel so as to fix the position of a seal of the sample vessel in relation to the cartridge; and (ii) apparatus adapted to receive said cartridge, said apparatus being provided with an opening system for opening said sealed sample vessel contained within the cartridge.

Abstract: A method for carrying out an isothermal nucleic acid amplification reaction at a predetermined temperature, said method comprising changing the temperature of the reaction mixture away from the said predetermined temperature and allowing it to return to the predetermined temperature at least once during the amplification reaction so as to cause a temperature oscillation in particular of up to 15° C., for example of from 2-10° C. Apparatus adapted to carry out the method forms a further aspect of the invention.

Abstract: Biochemical assay apparatus uses a container with a sleeve of electrically-conductive material (300) to heat it. The heating is done inside a chamber and a contactless heat sensor (110) such as a thermopile or a bolometer, also inside the chamber, is used to monitor the temperature of the electrically conductive material (300). There are many factors that distort the output of the heat sensor (110), particularly as the temperature rises and properties such as emissivity change, or as time goes by and tarnishing and dust affect the heat sensor output. Because the sleeve has low thermal mass and heat transfer only has to happen over short distances, it is relatively easy to calculate a change in actual temperature of the electrically conductive material (300) when subjected to a known pulse of drive current and this property can be used to calibrate the performance of the heat sensor (110) in situ in the chamber.

Abstract: A reaction vessel for carrying out a chemical or biochemical reaction, such as a polymerase chain reaction, said vessel having a coating of parylene or a derivative thereof, on at least the surface which contacts reactants.

Abstract: A composition for carrying out a chemical or biochemical reaction, said composition being in a freeze-dried form and comprising (i) a set of reagents comprising at least some of the chemical or biochemical reagents necessary for conducting said chemical or biochemical reaction, (ii) a glass forming agent, (iii) a stabilising agent therefore and (iv) fish gelatine. In particular compositions for carrying out PCR are foreseen. Kits comprising these compositions and methods for using them form a further aspect of the invention.

Abstract: A reaction vessel for conducting a chemical or biochemical reaction, such as a polymerase chain reaction wherein electrically conducting polymer is arranged to act as a heating element. The profile of the electrically conductive polymer differs in different regions of the vessel so as to control thermal gradients. The profile of the electrically conductive polymer may be arranged to either increase or reduce the thermal gradient. Reaction systems comprising combinations of vessels of the invention and apparatus for heating them, as well as particular reactions vessels are also described and claimed.

Abstract: RNA-containing probes and kits comprising RNA-containing probes for the detection and analysis of nucleic acid sequences are described. These probes are contacted with a sample suspected of containing the nucleic acid sequence and if they form duplexes, they are hydrolysed. This may be done, for example during an amplification reaction. AMP generated as a result of the hydrolysis is converted to ATP. The ATP may then be detected using bioluminescent reagents. Inclusion of modified adenosine in at least one probe means that the signal arising from one probe will give rise to a different and distinguishable bioluminescent signal thus enabling the use of for example an internal control in bioluminescently-reported nucleic acid tests.

Abstract: A reaction vessel for conducting a chemical or biochemical reaction, such as a polymerase chain reaction wherein at least one wall of said vessel comprises a metallic layer and an inner non-metallic layer. Reaction systems comprising combinations of vessels of the invention and apparatus for heating them, as well as particular reactions vessels are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Analytical methods using RNA-containing probes for the detection or analysis of nucleic acid sequences is described. These probes are contacted with a sample suspected of containing the nucleic acid sequence and if they form duplexes, they are hydrolysed. This may be done, for example during an amplification reaction. AMP generated as a result of the hydrolysis is converted to ATP. The ATP may then be detected using bioluminescent reagents. Inclusion of modified adenosine in at least one probe means that the signal arising from one probe will give rise to a different and distinguishable bioluminescent signal thus enabling the use of for example an internal control in bioluminescently-reported nucleic acid tests.

Abstract: An integral magnet and heater device comprising a heating element with integral permanent magnet for use in a sample preparation or analysis apparatus. Also disclosed is a sheath adapted to cover a reusable processing component, such as a heater or sonicator, of an apparatus during use. Other associated aspects of the system are described and claimed.

Abstract: An apparatus for analysing a sample and assessing its global position, the apparatus comprising a portable sample analysing device and a global positioning device.

Abstract: A composition for carrying out a chemical or biochemical reaction, said composition being in a freeze-dried form and comprising (i) a set of reagents comprising at least some of the chemical or biochemical reagents necessary for conducting said chemical or biochemical reaction, including at least one reagent which is fluorescent (ii) a glass forming agent, and (iii) threonine. Kits comprising these compositions and methods of using them form a further aspect of the invention.

Abstract: A sample delivery system comprising (i) a cartridge comprising a body section adapted to hold a sealed sample vessel so as to fix the position of a seal of the sample vessel in relation to the cartridge; and (ii) apparatus adapted to receive said cartridge, said apparatus being provided with an opening system for opening said sealed sample vessel contained within the cartridge.