Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detection of a molecular recognition reaction without labelling and a device for using this method. This invention concerns the general field of detection and analysis of molecular recognition between a first and a second molecule, for example a biological molecule. The method of the present invention consists of the detection of the molecular recognition by a photothermal method.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for isolating an analyte from an initial sample containing same, on a reactive surface in contact with all or part of the initial sample, characterized in that it comprises the following steps which consist in: 1) forming and/or maintaining a reaction volume entity, comprising an internal liquid medium, corresponding to all or part of the initial sample, the entity including an interface with an external medium, having with the latter a surface tension; 2) applying a temperature difference between at least two thermal points located: a) proximate to and/or b) on the surface and/or c) within said entity, said thermal points being respectively different, in terms of temperature and positioning; 3) fixing the analyte on the reactive surface, positioned on the path of forces convection generated by the temperature difference.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of transporting an analyte present in a sample, to a method of concentrating an analyte present in a sample, and to a device for implementing these methods.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence, in a liquid medium, of a plurality of different nucleic ligands in the free state comprises: (a) providing a support for plural complexing on which are distributed a plurality of immobilizing sites in which are immobilized a plurality of different nucleic anti-ligands; and (b) contacting the liquid medium with the support, whereby the nucleic ligands are paired with the nucleic anti-ligands. The stability of each ligand/anti-ligand complex is dependent upon at least one exogenous parameter, namely temperature, conditioning the support; the immobilizing sites on the support are differentiated, depending on the exogenous parameter, having respectively different values in the sites; and the anti-ligands are distributed among the different immobilizing sites, depending on the optimum values of the exogenous parameter, determining the stability of the different nucleic ligand/anti-ligand complexes respectively.

Abstract: Improved method for rapidly sequencing elements constituting a linear or linearized and ordered biological sequence such as a DNA fragment is provided. The method consists of extracting purifying and where appropriate fragmenting and/or amplifying a biological sequence in order to obtain a plurality of identical sequences which are subsequently combined to identify the complete DNA fragment.

Abstract: A frame for use in making a membrane lined with a gel layer includes two spaced apart bars to which opposite edges of a membrane can be connected and which are connected by two pairs of elastic strips. Cam elements are positioned between the strips of each pair of elastic strips to move the strips apart or allow them to come together, thereby causing the bars to move together for attachment of the membrane, or apart to stretch and tension the membrane after a gel has been cast thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high speed temperature regulation of elements (12) in thermal contact with a fluid contained in liquid-vapor equilibrium inside an enclosure (10) which is closed in sealed manner and which is provided with thermal insulation, temperature regulation being provided by means of an external heat source (S) imposing a reference temperature (Tc) to the fluid contained inside the enclosure (10) and causing a corresponding variation in the temperature (Te) of the elements (12) by changing the phase of the fluid. The invention is particularly applicable to performing molecular biology reactions at controlled temperature.