Abstract: Disclosed is a lidded magazine (100) for holding plural generally flat sample collection cards (10) in spaced parallel relation, the magazine is open at its top and includes upstanding opposed side walls (110,120), each wall (110,120) further including plural opposed pairs of inwardly extending wall ribs (112,122) spaced along each wall (110,120) to provide therebetween card accepting slots, a first slot dimension (W) being defined by the spacing between an interior face (154) of each wall, the magazine being characterised in that the walls (110,120) at the top (152) of each slot (150) are tapered outwardly such that the first dimension (W) is greatest at the top of the slot (150).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (10) for obtaining a sample (30) from a biological material (40) in solid form, said device comprising an array of micro-needles (30) arranged on a base plate (20). It further relates to a method for obtaining a sample (50) from a biological material (40) in solid form, comprising pressing the micro-needles (30) of the device (10) into said biological material (40), and subsequently removing the device from the biological material (40), and to the use of the device (10) in such a method.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provides a method for detection of at least one analyte derived from a sample, comprising the steps of: a) depositing the sample on a surface of a solid support; b) transferring at least a portion of the solid support to a receptacle suitable for performing a specific binding assay for one or more analytes of interest; c) optionally washing the portion; d) adding a single specific binding partner for each analyte of interest to the receptacle, the binding partner being labelled with an oligonucleotide sequence; e) mixing the portion with nucleic acid amplification reagents; f) amplifying the oligonucleotide sequence; and g) detecting amplified nucleic acid. The invention also provides a kit for use with the method for detection of at least one analyte derived from a sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of amplifying an RNA molecule in a biological sample by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), wherein the RT-PCR is carried out in a solution comprising a polar aprotic solvent; a serum albumin, and a polyol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nucleic acids storage device comprising one or more sealable storage wells, the or each well containing one or more three dimensional solid supports capable of absorbing 5 ?L or more of liquids containing any nucleic acids to be stored. Disclosed also is a method for storing nucleic acids, the method comprising, in any suitable order, the steps of: providing the device mentioned above; adding liquids, including any nucleic acids to be stored, to the storage well and thereby to be absorbed by the or each solid support in the storage well; allowing said liquids to dry substantially; sealing the or each storage well; and storing the device at room temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of amplifying an RNA molecule in a biological sample by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), wherein the RT-PCR is carried out in a solution comprising a) a polar aprotic solvent; b) a serum albumin; and optionally c) a non-ionic surfactant and/or a betaine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of amplifying an RNA molecule in a biological sample by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), wherein the RT-PCR is carried out in a solution comprising a polyol, a serum albumin, a non-ionic surfactant and a reducing agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (10) for obtaining a sample (30) from a biological material (40) in solid form, said device comprising an array of micro-needles (30) arranged on a base plate (20). It further relates to a method for obtaining a sample (50) from a biological material (40) in solid form, comprising pressing the micro-needles (30) of the device (10) into said biological material (40), and subsequently removing the device from the biological material (40), and to the use of the device (10) in such a method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lidded magazine (100) for holding plural generally flat sample collection cards (10) in spaced parallel relation, the magazine is open at its top and includes upstanding opposed side walls (110,120), each wall (110,120) further including plural opposed pairs of inwardly extending wall ribs (112,122) spaced along each wall (110,120) to provide therebetween card accepting slots, a first slot dimension (W) being defined by the spacing between an interior face (154) of each wall, the magazine being characterised in that the walls (110,120) at the top (152) of each slot (150) are tapered outwardly such that the first dimension (W) is greatest at the top of the slot (150).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of amplifying an RNA molecule in a biological sample by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), wherein the RT-PCR is carried out in a solution comprising a) a polar aprotic solvent; b) a serum albumin; and optionally c) a non-ionic surfactant and/or a betaine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of amplifying an RNA molecule in a biological sample by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), wherein the RT-PCR is carried out in a solution comprising a polar aprotic solvent; a serum albumin, and a polyol.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provides a method for detection of at least one analyte derived from a sample, comprising the steps of: a) depositing the sample on a surface of a solid support; b) transferring at least a portion of the solid support to a receptacle suitable for performing a specific binding assay for one or more analytes of interest; c) optionally washing the portion; d) adding a single specific binding partner for each analyte of interest to the receptacle, the binding partner being labelled with an oligonucleotide sequence; e) mixing the portion with nucleic acid amplification reagents; f) amplifying the oligonucleotide sequence; and g) detecting amplified nucleic acid. The invention also provides a kit for use with the method for detection of at least one analyte derived from a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and kits which can be used to amplify nucleic acids with the advantage of decreasing user time and possible contamination. For easy processing and amplification of nucleic acid samples, the samples are bound to a solid support and used directly, without purification, in a nucleic acid amplification reaction such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).