Abstract: A substrate holder includes a base configured to receive a substrate; a cover configured to mateably engage with the base, the cover defining an opening formed by inner sidewalls; and a removable insert defining a surface, the removable insert being configured to be received within the opening of the cover. The removable insert includes a gasket; a projection coupled to the gasket; and at least two insert tabs extending from opposite sides of the removable insert, each insert tab being configured to engage with at least one of the inner sidewalls forming the opening of the cover.

Abstract: A sample holder includes a first member featuring a first retaining mechanism configured to retain a first substrate that includes a sample, a second member featuring a second retaining mechanism configured to retain a second substrate that includes a reagent medium, and an alignment mechanism connected to at least one of the first and second members, and configured to align the first and second members such that the sample contacts at least a portion of the reagent medium when the first and second members are aligned.

Abstract: A sample holder includes a first member featuring a first retaining mechanism configured to retain a first substrate that includes a sample, a second member featuring a second retaining mechanism configured to retain a second substrate that includes a reagent medium, and an alignment mechanism connected to at least one of the first and second members, and configured to align the first and second members such that the sample contacts at least a portion of the reagent medium when the first and second members are aligned.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices and methods for securing microplates and/or microplates comprising tube strips. The devices provided herein may use a magnetic force to secure the microplates and/or the tube strips during heat sealing of wells or tubes.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for separation of nucleic acids from waste materials in a biological sample, and then reacting the separated nucleic acids. In some embodiments, the methods comprise mixing a cell lysate having nucleic acids and waste materials with a waste-binding matrix to capture the cellular waste materials from the lysate. The waste-binding matrix can comprise hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic size-exclusion, ion-exchange particles. In some embodiments, the device comprises a substrate comprising a fluid processing pathway in which nucleic acid sample preparation occurs prior to a downstream genotyping reaction.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for separation of nucleic acids from waste materials in a biological sample, and then reacting the separated nucleic acids. In some embodiments, the methods comprise mixing a cell lysate having nucleic acids and waste materials with a waste-binding matrix to capture the cellular waste materials from the lysate. The waste-binding matrix can comprise hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic size-exclusion, ion-exchange particles. In some embodiments, the device comprises a substrate comprising a fluid processing pathway in which nucleic acid sample preparation occurs prior to a downstream genotyping reaction.