Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing reagent spheres from a vial includes a housing with an inlet through which the reagent spheres are received from the vial. Within the housing is a dispensing tube which forms a passageway for the reagent spheres and which has a first relatively large section in communication with the inlet and a funnel section in which the passageway reduces in cross section to a narrower linearizing section. The cross sectional area of the linearizing section is only slightly larger than one of the reagent spheres being dispensed. A metering shaft extends across and blocks the linearizing section of the passageway. The metering shaft has a depression for conveying one reagent sphere at a time between portions of linearizing section when the metering shaft is rotated 180 degrees. A gear on the metering shaft meshes with teeth on a plunger which is slidably mounted to the housing.

Abstract: A dispenser include a housing with an inlet through which reagent pills are received from a vial. Within the housing is a dispensing tube that forms a pill passageway which has a first portion of relatively large cross section adjacent the inlet and a funnel portion in which the passageway reduces in cross section to a narrower linearizing portion. The dispensing tube has a series of ridges on an exterior surface. A metering shaft extends across the linearizing portion and has a depression for conveying one reagent pill at a time between sections of the linearizing portion when the metering shaft is rotated. A gear on the metering shaft is meshes with teeth on a plunger which is slidably mounted in the housing. The plunger also has a member projecting therefrom and against dispensing tube. A user pressing the plunger causes the metering shaft to rotate transferring a reagent pill to a portion of the passageway connected to the outlet of the housing and thereby ejects that reagent pill from the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus, for simultaneously separating multiple samples into their constituents, includes a column manifold which has a plate with a plurality of apertures therethrough. A plurality of support tubes extend from the plate and each support tube has a passage in communication with one of the apertures. The column manifold also includes a fitting to which a vacuum source can the connected, thus enabling the apparatus to be used with both a centrifuge and a vacuum source. A separate separation column is removably received in each support tube and projects through the associated aperture. A collection plate has a plurality of wells arranged so that each well is aligned with a different support tube when the column manifold is placed against the collection plate. This alignment enables each well to receive material expelled from the separation column received in the corresponding support tube.

Abstract: A preparation of a purified DNA polymerase substantially identical to native DNA polymerase isolated from Thermococcus barossii is disclosed. In a preferable form of the present invention, the DNA polymerase is approximately 68 kDa in size, retains at least 90% activity after 8 hours of incubation at 95.degree. C. and retains between 60% and 80% proof-reading ability when catalyzing a polymerization reaction with a primer with a 3 base pair mismatch.

Abstract: A method and preparation for the storage and delivery of purified reagents is disclosed. In one aspect, the preparation comprises an amount of a first wax carrier, the first wax carrier having a first melting point, and an amount of a first reagent, wherein first reagent is a substantially purified preparation of at least one biological or chemical reagent. The first wax carrier and the first reagent are combined to form a solid first reagent portion. The solid mixture is combined with a second reagent portion comprised of at least one biological or chemical reagent in an inactive form.

Abstract: A reagent sphere is disclosed comprising at least one biological reagent and a glass-forming filler material in a concentration sufficient to facilitate formation of a glassy, porous composition, wherein the reagent semi-sphere is water soluble and has a T.sub.g sufficient for room temperature stability. At least two carbohydrates are combined to create the reagent sphere. The first carbohydrate is a synthetic high molecular weight polymer. The second carbohydrate is different than the first carbohydrate. A method is provided for making the reagent sphere.

Abstract: Compounds useful to attach a fluorescein label to an oligonucleotide are disclosed. To create these compounds, oxygen groups on the fluorescein moiety are protected (e.g. with acyl groups). One then links a phosphoramidite to the fluorescein moiety via an amide or thiourea linkage to an active site on the fluorescein ring. The resulting compound can then be directly linked to an oligonucleotide as it is being formed in an automated synthesizer and then deprotected using the same deprotection conditions as are used to deprotect the oligonucleotides. Such compounds are, inter alia, useful to create labelled primers for DNA sequencing.

Abstract: A reagent semi-sphere is disclosed comprising at least one biological reagent and a glass forming filler material in a concentration sufficient to facilitate formation of a glassy, porous composition, wherein the reagent semi-sphere is room temperature stable, water soluble, and has a T.sub.g above room temperature.