Abstract: A liquid dispensing apparatus comprises a liquid reservoir (32), an outlet port (6; 36) and driving means for forcing liquid (4) through the outlet port (6, 36). The driving means generates a pulse of gas which impinges upon the liquid (4) in the reservoir (32) so as to force liquid (4) through the outlet port (6, 36). Also disclosed is a cassette comprising a plurality of cartridges for dispensing liquid therefrom. Each cartridge comprises a liquid reservoir (32) and an outlet member (36) mounted so as to close an opening (34) in the liquid reservoir (32). The outlet member (36) provides an outlet port through which the liquid can be forced by a pulse of pressurised gas.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a new method for determining the presence of genetic element(s), such as nucleotide repeat(s), or marker(s) for microbial typing, in a nucleic acid sample. The method is based on performing a ligation reaction where after a by-product of the ligation is detected and used to determine the number of nucleotidc repeat units in a nucleic acid sample possibly comprising a nucleotide repeat. The invention is also related to kits for performing the method of the present invention and compositions comprising components for performing the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for simultaneously monitoring an array of reaction sites for light indicating that a reaction is taking place at a particula site comprising a charge-coupled device (CCD) arranged so that in use the light from a particular reaction site will impinge upon a particular predetermined region of the CCD. The apparatus also has means for determining the light level impinging upon each of the predetermined regions and means to record the variation of light level with time for each of the reaction sites. Also disclosed is a method of identifying a target base in a DNA sequence using such an apparatus.

Abstract: The invention refers to a tubular member, such as a pipette tip, for binding nucleic acid molecules for a subsequent biomolecular reaction, to methods for at least partly performing a sequencing-by-synthesis reaction in a tubular member, to an automated system using the tubular member for performing the methods of the invention, and kits and computer programs for use in relation to the methods of the invention. By performing a sequencing-by-synthesis reaction in a tubular member, such as a pipette tip, a new format for enzymatic reactions of this type, i.e. sequencing by synthesis, is provided.

Abstract: A module comprising one or more chips and a carrier. The invention is characterised in that the carrier (6) supports a conductive layer (7) that includes a number of conductors; in that chips (2-5; 10; 27-30) are mounted directly on conductive layer (7) of the carrier (6); in that said chips (2-5; 10, 27-30) are connected electrically directly to the conductor system (7); and in that the carrier-supported conductive layer includes terminals (8,9) in the form of solder balls or corresponding devices disposed on the same side of the carrier (6) as said chips.

Abstract: A method of capillary electrophoresis utilizing a capillary tube made up of hydrophobic plastics, charactarized in that the inner surface of said capillary is coated with a hydrophilic polymer comprising a polyhydroxy polymer exhibiting groups —B—R, where R is a hydrocarbyl group and B is a bridge binding to the polyhydroxy polymer, preferably by substituting a hydrogen in a hydroxy group of the polyhydroxy polymer.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to an apparatus for continuously measuring physical and chemical parameters in a fluid cell comprising a single flow cell having a fluid interface for conducting the fluid through the flow cell, an electrical interface connected to at least one first means provided in the flow cell wall for measuring at least one first parameter of the fluid in the flow cell, and an optical interface for transmitting light into the flow cell and for receiving light from the flow cell to measure at least one second parameter of the fluid in the flow cell.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to an apparatus for continuously measuring physical and chemical parameters in a fluid cell comprising a single flow cell having a fluid interface for conducting the fluid through the flow cell, an electrical interface connected to at least one first means provided in the flow cell wall for measuring at least one first parameter of the fluid in the flow cell, and an optical interface for transmitting light into the flow cell and for receiving light from the flow cell to measure at least one second parameter of the fluid in the flow cell.

Abstract: In a method of determining the refractive index of a gaseous, liquid or solid sample, preferably a gaseous or liquid sample, there is used a waveguide resonator (1) which includes an open waveguide (4) and a closed waveguide (5) located adjacent the open waveguide. The sample is brought to the vicinity of the closed waveguide (5) so as to influence the proximal surroundings of the waveguide and therewith its effective refractive index. Light derived from a light source (9) is coupled to one end of the open waveguide (4) and transmitted light is measured at the other end of the open waveguide to establish the influence of the sample on the resonance wavelength and therewith determine the refractive index of the sample or a sample-related refractive index difference. A device for carrying out the method includes a waveguide resonator having a sample contact area (12) adjacent the closed waveguide (5) of the waveguide resonator.

Abstract: The microfluidic structure comprises first and second substantially planar form-stable base layers and an intermediate spacing layer of elastic material, said spacing layer being recessed to define a microcavity or channel system with at least one of said first and second base layers. The structure is produced by moulding the spacing layer, optionally applied to or integral with a first base layer, against a planar mould, and the microcavity or channel system is completed by applying a second base layer, and optionally said first base layer, to the spacing layer.