Abstract: A reaction vessel for conducting a chemical or biochemical reaction, such as a polymerase chain reaction wherein at least one wall of said vessel comprises a metallic layer and an inner non-metallic layer. Reaction systems comprising combinations of vessels of the invention and apparatus for heating them, as well as particular reactions vessels are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for selectively delivering one or more liquid reagents into a reaction or test chamber (2), especially of an assay apparatus, the apparatus comprising: one or more respective storage chambers (5,6) for containing the one or more liquid reagents and arranged generally above the reaction or test chamber (2); and a plunger element (4) arranged and operable for insertion into the mouth of a selected storage chamber so as to displace a selected reagent from therewithin into the reaction or test chamber (2) generally therebelow by gravitational liquid overflow from the mouth of the chamber. The apparatus may conveniently be provided as a discrete delivery unit, with the storage chambers (5,6) pretilled with the selected reagents.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for selectively delivering one or more liquid reagents into a reaction or test chamber (2), especially of an assay apparatus, the apparatus comprising: one or more respective storage chambers (5,6) for containing the one or more liquid reagents and arranged generally above the reaction or test chamber (2); and a plunger element (4) arranged and operable for insertion into the mouth of a selected storage chamber so as to displace a selected reagent from therewithin into the reaction or test chamber (2) generally therebelow by gravitational liquid overflow from the mouth of the chamber. The apparatus may conveniently be provided as a discrete delivery unit, with the storage chambers (5,6) pretilled with the selected reagents.

Abstract: A method of carrying out an amplification reaction, said method comprising supplying to a well in a disposable unit (a) a sample which contains or is suspected of containing a target nucleic acid sequence (b) primers, nucleotides and enzymes required to effect said amplification reaction and (c) a buffer system, and subjecting the unit to thermal cycling conditions such that any target nucleic acid present within the sample is amplified; wherein the disposable unit comprises a thermally conducting layer and a facing layer having one or more reagent wells of up to 1000 microns in depth defined therebetween; and the reaction mixture comprises at least one of the following: A) a buffer system wherein the pH is above 8.3; B) a detergent; and/or C) a blocking agent. Apparatus for effecting the method as well as disposable units for use in the method are described. The method is particularly suitable for rapid PCR reactions.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for selectively delivering one or more liquid reagents into a reaction or test chamber (2), especially of an assay apparatus, the apparatus comprising: one or more respective storage chambers (5,6) for containing the one or more liquid reagents and arranged generally above the reaction or test chamber (2); and a plunger element (4) arranged and operable for insertion into the mouth of a selected storage chamber so as to displace a selected reagent from therewithin into the reaction or test chamber (2) generally therebelow by gravitational liquid overflow from the mouth of the chamber. The apparatus may conveniently be provided as a discrete delivery unit, with the storage chambers (5,6) pretilled with the selected reagents.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing device comprising a hollow body having an opening in a lower end thereof for receiving liquid, and an integrated cap member arranged to sealingly close the body, said cap member comprising a resilient diaphragm which is deformable in a downwards direction. The device is suitable for use in automated apparatus.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for selectively delivering one or more liquid reagents into a reaction or test chamber (2), especially of an assay apparatus, the apparatus comprising: one or more respective storage chambers (5,6) for containing the one or more liquid reagents and arranged generally above the reaction or test chamber (2); and a plunger element (4) arranged and operable for insertion into the mouth of a selected storage chamber so as to displace a selected reagent from therewithin into the reaction or test chamber (2) generally therebelow by gravitational liquid overflow from the mouth of the chamber. The apparatus may conveniently be provided as a discrete delivery unit, with the storage chambers (5,6) prefilled with the selected reagents.

Abstract: A recombinant protein having luciferase activity and at least 60% similarity to a wild-type luciferase wherein in the sequence of the enzyme, the amino acid residue corresponding to residue 357 in Photinus pyralis luciferase is mutated as compared to the corresponding wild-type luciferase, such that the luciferase enzyme is able to emit light at a different wavelength as compared to the corresponding wild-type luciferase and/or has enhanced thermostability as compared to the corresponding wild-type luciferase. In general, the residue corresponding to 357 in Photinus pyralis luciferase is changed from an acidic amino acid to a non-acidic amino acid, and preferably an uncharged polar amino acid such as tyrosine. Mutant luciferases in accordance with the invention can produce a large (50 nm) wavelength shift in emitted light and have good thermostability. The resultant colour shift can be reversed by addition of coenzyme A. These properties make the mutant particularly useful in a variety of assays.

Abstract: A recombinant protein having luciferase activity and at least 60% similarity to a wild-type luciferase wherein in the sequence of the enzyme, the amino acid residue corresponding to residue 357 in Photinus pyralis luciferase is mutated as compared to the corresponding wild-type luciferase, such that the luciferase enzyme is able to emit light at a different wavelength as compared to the corresponding wild-type luciferase and/or has enhanced thermostability as compared to the corresponding wild-type luciferase. In general, the residue corresponding to 357 in Photinus pyralis luciferase is changed from an acidic amino acid to a non-acidic amino acid and preferably an uncharged polar amino acid such as tyrosine. Mutant luciferases in accordance with the invention can produce a large (50 nm) wavelength shift in emitted light and have good thermostability. The resultant colour shift can be reversed by addition of coenzyme A. These properties make the mutant particularly useful in a variety of assays.

Abstract: A method for detecting viable cells such as bacterial cells, within a sample, said method comprising (i) incubating said sample with a virus which is able to infect said cells under conditions which allow said virus to infect and replicate within any such cells which are viable; and (ii) detecting any nucleic acid obtained by replication of the virus in said cell.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for selectively delivering one or more liquid reagents into a reaction or test chamber (2), especially of an assay apparatus, the apparatus comprising: one or more respective storage chambers (5,6) for containing the one or more liquid reagents and arranged generally above the reaction or test chamber (2); and a plunger element (4) arranged and operable for insertion into the mouth of a selected storage chamber so as to displace a selected reagent from therewithin into the reaction or test chamber (2) generally therebelow by gravitational liquid overflow from the mouth of the chamber. The apparatus may conveniently be provided as a discrete delivery unit, with the storage chambers (5,6) pretilled with the selected reagents.

Abstract: A sample delivery system comprising (i) a cartridge comprising a body section adapted to hold a sealed sample vessel so as to fix the position of a seal of the sample vessel in relation to the cartridge; and (ii) apparatus adapted to receive said cartridge, said apparatus being provided with an opening system for opening said sealed sample vessel contained within the cartridge.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for selectively delivering one or more liquid reagents into a reaction or test chamber (2), especially of an assay apparatus, the apparatus comprising: one or more respective storage chambers (5,6) for containing the one or more liquid reagents and arranged generally above the reaction or test chamber (2); and a plunger element (4) arranged and operable for insertion into the mouth of a selected storage chamber so as to displace a selected reagent from therewithin into the reaction or test chamber (2) generally therebelow by gravitational liquid overflow from the mouth of the chamber. The apparatus may conveniently be provided as a discrete delivery unit, with the storage chambers (5,6) prefilled with the selected reagents.

Abstract: A method for detecting viable cells such as bacterial cells, within a sample, said method comprising (i) incubating said sample with a virus which is able to infect said cells under conditions which allow said virus to infect and replicate within any such cells which are viable; and (ii) detecting any nucleic acid obtained by replication of the virus in said cell.

Abstract: Biochemical assay apparatus uses a container with a sleeve of electrically-conductive material (300) to heat it. The heating is done inside a chamber and a contactless heat sensor (110) such as a thermopile or a bolometer, also inside the chamber, is used to monitor the temperature of the electrically conductive material (300). There are many factors that distort the output of the heat sensor (110), particularly as the temperature rises and properties such as emissivity change, or as time goes by and tarnishing and dust affect the heat sensor output. Because the sleeve has low thermal mass and heat transfer only has to happen over short distances, it is relatively easy to calculate a change in actual temperature of the electrically conductive material (300) when subjected to a known pulse of drive current and this property can be used to calibrate the performance of the heat sensor (110) in situ in the chamber.

Abstract: A method for detecting viable cells such as bacterial cells, within a sample, said method comprising (i) incubating said sample with a virus which is able to infect said cells under conditions which allow said virus to infect and replicate within any such cells which are viable; (ii) detecting any nucleic acid obtained by replication of the virus in said cell.

Abstract: A reaction vessel for carrying out a chemical or biochemical reaction, such as a polymerase chain reaction, said vessel having a coating of parylene or a derivative thereof, on at least the surface which contacts reactants.

Abstract: An analytical kit using RNA probes for the detection or analysis of nucleic acid sequences is described. These probes are contacted with a sample suspected of containing the nucleic acid sequence and if they form duplexes, they are hydrolysed. This may be done, for example, during an amplification reaction. AMP generated as a result of the hydrolysis is converted to ATP. The ATP may then be detected using bioluminescent reagents.

Abstract: A reaction vessel for conducting a chemical or biochemical reaction, such as a polymerase chain reaction wherein electrically conducting polymer is arranged to act as a heating element. The profile of the electrically conductive polymer differs in different regions of the vessel so as to control thermal gradients. The profile of the electrically conductive polymer may be arranged to either increase or reduce the thermal gradient. Reaction systems comprising combinations of vessels of the invention and apparatus for heating them, as well as particular reactions vessels are also described and claimed.

Abstract: RNA-containing probes and kits comprising RNA-containing probes for the detection and analysis of nucleic acid sequences are described. These probes are contacted with a sample suspected of containing the nucleic acid sequence and if they form duplexes, they are hydrolysed. This may be done, for example during an amplification reaction. AMP generated as a result of the hydrolysis is converted to ATP. The ATP may then be detected using bioluminescent reagents. Inclusion of modified adenosine in at least one probe means that the signal arising from one probe will give rise to a different and distinguishable bioluminescent signal thus enabling the use of for example an internal control in bioluminescently-reported nucleic acid tests.