Abstract: A method of detecting mutations in a CTC genome that uses a negative selection step to remove a proportion of non-CTCs from a blood sample. The negative selection step is followed by extraction of the DNA from the remaining enriched CTCs and then by dilution of the DNA to a very low concentration and preparing and sequencing two or more replicates of the final dilution.

Abstract: A sample testing device (100) for testing for the presence of a component of interest in a liquid sample comprises: (a) at least one capillary pathway (120) which has an upstream end and a downstream end and which incorporates a reagent system capable of causing agglutination with said component to be detected (the test capillary); (b) preferably, but optionally, at least one capillary pathway (121) having an upstream end and a downstream end (the control capillary); (c) a sampling region (114) to which the liquid sample is applied and from which the sample is able to enter the upstream ends of the test capillary(s) (120) and if present the control capillary(s) (121); (d) a power source (108, 109); (e) detection arrangements (117, 118) electrically associated with said power source (108, 109) for detecting the presence of liquid at a downstream region of said testing capillary(s) (120) and if present the control capillary(s) (121); (f) display means (113) operated by said power source (108, 109) for indicatin