Abstract: The present disclosure provides, among other things, systems for nucleic acid amplification. Provided systems for nucleic acid amplification substantially irreversibly seal the contents of a nucleic acid amplification reaction vessel. Provided systems reduce amplification contamination, for example amplification carryover contamination. Provided systems reduce amplification of spurious nucleic acids or amplification products. The present disclosure also provides methods of amplifying nucleic acids. The present disclosure also provides methods of amplifying nucleic acids using provided systems. Provided systems and methods are useful for nucleic acid amplification.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, systems, and apparatuses for collecting and/or amplifying nucleic acids. In general, provided methods, systems, and apparatuses involve contacting a sample including a nucleic acid with a nucleic acid amplification reagent without purification of nucleic acids from the sample.

Abstract: The thermal cycling system for performing a biological reaction at two or more different temperatures comprises: a) a heat source for setting at a fixed temperature; b) a reaction vessel containing material upon which the biological reaction is to be performed; c) mechanically-operable structure for altering the relative position of the heat source and the reaction vessel so that reaction vessel first achieves and maintains a desired first temperature in the reaction vessel for starting the carrying out of the biological reaction, and then for altering the relative position of the heat source and the reaction vessel so that the reaction vessel then achieves and maintains a second temperature for continuing the carrying out of the biological reaction on the biological material, and d) temperature-sensing structure operatively associated with the reaction vessel for controlling the altering of the relative position of the heat source and the reaction vessel so that the reaction vessel achieves and maintains the

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, systems, and apparatuses for collecting and/or amplifying nucleic acids. In general, provided methods, systems, and apparatuses involve contacting a sample including a nucleic acid with a nucleic acid amplification reagent without purification of nucleic acids from the sample.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for nucleic acid analysis of swab samples without the need for purification.

Abstract: A reaction tube for use in performing the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in a thermal cycler, is provided herein such reaction tube includes a hollow tube of heat conducting synthetic plastics material having an open top and a flat bottom formed of an optically-clear material. Such reaction tube also includes a solid plug cap nesting within said hollow tube and to provide a minimized void volume within the hollow tube and to minimize evaporation and condensation of the biological fluid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for nucleic acid analysis of swab samples without the need for purification.

Abstract: A reaction tube for use in performing the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in a thermal cycler, is provided herein such reaction tube includes a hollow tube of heat conducting synthetic plastics material having an open top and a flat bottom formed of an optically-clear material. Such reaction tube also includes a solid plug cap nesting within said hollow tube and to provide a minimized void volume within the hollow tube and to minimize evaporation and condensation of the biological fluid.

Abstract: A thermal cycling system and method are provided herein, The thermal cycling system for performing a biological reaction at two or more different temperatures comprises: a) a heat source for setting at a fixed temperature; b) a reaction vessel containing material upon which the biological reaction is to be performed; c) mechanically-operable means for altering the relative position of the heat source and the reaction vessel so that reaction vessel first achieves and maintains a desired first temperature in the reaction vessel for starting the carrying out of the biological reaction, and then for altering the relative position of the heat source and the reaction vessel so that reaction vessel then achieves and maintains a second temperate for continuing the carrying out of the biological reaction on the biological material, and d) temperature-sensing means operatively associated with the reaction vessel for controlling the altering of the relative position of the heat source and the reaction vessel so that the

Abstract: A temperature cycling system (10, 110) is provided for repeatedly heating and cooling a reaction mixture (16). The system (10, 110) includes a first heater (27) and a second heater (28) each movable between a first orientation in which the first or second heater (27, 28) affects the temperature of the reaction mixture (16) and a second orientation in which the first or second heater (27, 28) does not substantially affect the temperature of the reaction mixture (16). During temperature cycling, the second heater (28) is in the second orientation when the first heater (27) is in the first orientation, and the second heater (28) is in the first orientation when the first heater (27) is in the second orientation.

Abstract: The speed of a nucleic acid amplification reaction, such as the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), can be increased by setting the temperature of heat sources above and below the desired denaturation, annealing, and extension temperatures. The reaction mixture is only contacted with the heat sources long enough for the desired temperatures to be reached.

Abstract: A system is provided for carrying out rapid nucleic acid amplification or other biological reactions requiring thermal cycling. The system of this invention incorporates at least two heating blocks, each having a groove for receiving a reaction vessel such that only a portion of the outer surface of the walls of the vessel are in direct contact with the heating block. The remaining portion of the outer surface of the walls of the reaction vessel remains exposed to ambient conditions. The reaction vessel comes into contact with only one heating block at a time either by movement of the vessel between the heating blocks or by movement of the heating blocks in relation to the vessel. The system of this invention provides rapid temperature cycling without the need for extended ramping times generally associated with single block designs, which include a single temperature block that is forced to heat and cool.