Abstract: Apparatus for the determination of a chemical or biochemical species comprises a resonant optical biosensor (1-4) disposed in a light path between a pivotally-mounted source (5) of monochromatic light and a stationary detector (12) adapted to monitor some characteristic of the light. There is provided means (7) for causing pivotal motion of the light source (5) so as to vary the angle of incidence of the light on the sensor (1-4). Also provided is means for monitoring the instantaneous angle of incidence. The means for varying the angle of incidence of the light on the sensor may be a cam arrangement (7) acting on a pivoting member (6) carrying the light source (5), and the means for monitoring the instantaneous angle of incidence of the light on the sensor (1-4) may comprise means for monitoring the number of steps performed by a stepper motor driving the cam arrangement (7).

Abstract: Methods of glycosylation analysis are described in which a sample containing one or more specific oligosaccharide(s) (the analyte) is contacted with a surface on which is immobilized a glycosidase specific for the analyte and/or a specific binding partner for a product of the action of a glycosidase on the analyte. The surface may be the active surface of a biosensor, e.g., a biosensor based on the principle of frustrated total reflection.

Abstract: A transfer device including means for movement of samples from a plurality of sites of a first separation to a plurality of sites of a second, different, separation, said means comprising a plurality of sampling elements capable of movement with respect to one another between said first separation and said second separation.The sample transfer device is particularly suited to the transfer of blood samples in blood grouping or other determinations.A method of sample transfer is also provided.

Abstract: There is described a carbon bed absorber (7) including a temperature sensor (10), e.g. a conduit (10) which fuses at a predetermined temperature, wherein the sensor (10) is operably linked (11, 15) to a supply of fire extinguishing fluid (14) to cause flow of the fluid to the bed (7) on the sensor (10) sensing a predetermined elevated temperature. In a preferred embodiment, the temperature sensor is an optical fibre (10) which fuses at the predetermined temperature.