Abstract: A receptacle for the safe passing of surgical instruments during surgical procedures, the receptacle comprising: a first pick-up well for receiving one or more surgical instruments and defined by a protective wall and one or more first walls, each of the protective and one or more first walls having a top edge which collectively define an opening to the first pick-up well, and the top edge of the protective wall projecting above the top edges of the one or more first walls; and a handle external to the first pick-up well and comprising an elongate member projecting from the protective wall and adapted to be gripped in a human hand; wherein: the protective wall is located between the elongate member and the first pick-up well; and the elongate member joins the protective wall at a position and orientation such that, in use when a user is gripping the elongate member, the hand of the user does not project above the top edge of the protective wall.

Abstract: There is provided a polypeptide having thermostable DNA polymerase activity and comprising or consisting of an amino acid sequence with at least 90% identity to Palaeococcus ferrophilus DNA polymerase shown in SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: There is provided a polypeptide having thermostable DNA polymerase activity and comprising or consisting of an amino acid sequence with at least 55% identity to Thermodesulfatator indicus DNA polymerase I Large fragment shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or in SEQ ID NO:32.