Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for analysing single molecules, particularly to the parallel analysis of a plurality of single molecules. It is suitable for detecting interactions, e.g. binding between single molecules and/or reactions, e.g. elongation or degradation of single molecules. Particularly, the process of the invention relates to the sequencing of single nucleic acid molecules. The single molecule to be analysed is present in free form, i.e. dissolved or suspended in a liquid medium, within a reaction space formed around the sample spot. According to the present invention, an electrical field is applied across the reaction space, whereby a concentration of single molecules, at the sample spots is effected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining luminescent molecules by means of optical excitation in confocal measurement volumes using a diffractive optical element. The method is particularly suitable for single-molecule determination, e.g. by means of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy or by means of dynamic light scattering. An apparatus suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention is furthermore disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a nucleic acid analyte in a sample with use of a hybridization probe able to bind to the analytes and of a capture probe able to bind to the hybridization probe. A reagent kit containing hybridization and capture probes is also provided. Method and reagent kit can be employed in particular for determining analytes which occur in only very low concentrations in the sample.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and device for sequencing nucleic acid molecules on a perforated membrane. The invention can be used in particular for multiplex sequencing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining a nucleotide polymorphism, particularly a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in a nucleic acid target.