Abstract: The present invention provides multi-well plates and column arrays in which samples (e.g., cell lysates containing nucleic acids of interest, such as RNA) can be analyzed and/or processed. In one embodiment, the microfiltration arrangement is a multilayer structure, including (i) a column plate having an array of minicolumns into which samples can be placed, (ii) a discrete filter element disposed in each minicolumn, (iii) a drip-director plate having a corresponding array of drip directors through which filtrate may egress, and (iv) a receiving-well plate having a corresponding array of receiving wells into which filtrate can flow. The invention provides multi-well microfiltration arrangements that are relatively simple to manufacture and that overcome many of the problems associated with the prior arrangements relating to (i) cross-contamination due to wicking across a common filter sheet or (ii) individual filter elements entrapping sample constituents within substantial dead volumes.

Abstract: A heater module is described that includes a heat distribution plate including a bottom portion having first and second sides and a plurality of projections extending away from one of the sides. A heat source is provided for heating the heat distribution plate, and, optionally, a heating tray can be used to receive the heat source and heat distribution plate. The heater module is adapted to engage a sample purification tray having a plurality of purification and/or discharge columns which can extend through openings in the heater module and direct a sample into a sample receiving tray. Methods of heating samples using the heater module are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides multi-well plates and column arrays in which samples (e.g., cell lysates containing nucleic acids of interest, such as RNA) can be analyzed and/or processed. In one embodiment, the microfiltration arrangement is a multilayer structure, including (i) a column plate having an array of minicolumns into which samples can be placed, (ii) a discrete filter element disposed in each minicolumn, (iii) a drip-director plate having a corresponding array of drip directors through which filtrate may egress, and (iv) a receiving-well plate having a corresponding array of receiving wells into which filtrate can flow. The invention provides multi-well microfiltration arrangements that are relatively simple to manufacture and that overcome many of the problems associated with the prior arrangements relating to (i) cross-contamination due to wicking across a common filter sheet or (ii) individual filter elements entrapping sample constituents within substantial dead volumes.

Abstract: The present invention provides multi-well plates and column arrays in which samples (e.g., cell lysates containing nucleic acids of interest, such as RNA) can be analyzed and/or processed. In one embodiment, the microfiltration arrangement is a multilayer structure, including (i) a column plate having an array of minicolumns into which samples can be placed, (ii) a discrete filter element disposed in each minicolumn, (iii) a drip-director plate having a corresponding array of drip directors through which filtrate may egress, and (iv) a receiving-well plate having a corresponding array of receiving wells into which filtrate can flow. The invention provides multi-well microfiltration arrangements that are relatively simple to manufacture and that overcome many of the problems associated with the prior arrangements relating to (i) cross-contamination due to wicking across a common filter sheet or (ii) individual filter elements entrapping sample constituents within substantial dead volumes.

Abstract: A pipette-loaded bioassay includes a measurement probe and a pipette tip. The measurement probe includes a probe head configured to launch an incident test signal and a connecting end configured to receive the incident test signal from a signal source. The pipette tip includes a sample interrogation region which is electromagnetically coupled to the probe head, the sample interrogation region configured to retain a plug of sample solution and constructed from a material which is substantially transparent to the incident test signal. The incident test signal electromagnetically couples through the sample interrogation region and to the molecular or cellular events occurring within the sample solution. The interaction of the incident test signal with the molecular or cellular events produces a modulated test signal which can be recovered and used to identify the molecular or cellular events occurring in a subsequently tested sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides multi-well plates and column arrays in which samples (e.g., cell lysates containing nucleic acids of interest, such as RNA) can be analyzed and/or processed. In one embodiment, the microfiltration arrangement is a multilayer structure, including (i) a column plate having an array of minicolumns into which samples can be placed, (ii) a discrete filter element disposed in each minicolumn, (iii) a drip-director plate having a corresponding array of drip directors through which filtrate may egress, and (iv) a receiving-well plate having a corresponding array of receiving wells into which filtrate can flow. The invention provides multi-well microfiltration arrangements that are relatively simple to manufacture and that overcome many of the problems associated with the prior arrangements relating to (i) cross-contamination due to wicking across a common filter sheet or (ii) individual filter elements entrapping sample constituents within substantial dead volumes.

Abstract: The invention includes a filtration apparatus for processing a plurality of fluid samples into sample wells is provided. In one embodiment, the filtration apparatus includes a purification tray and a sample well tray with a plurality of sample wells. The purification tray includes a filter plate having a plurality of columns with discharge openings at the bottom thereof, at least one filter positioned in the columns of the filter plate for filtering the fluid samples as they pass therethrough, a heat plate positioned adjacent the columns of the filter plate, and a vent plate positioned below the heat plate. The heat plate is configured for transferring heat to the columns of the filter plate. The vent plate includes vents for permitting aerosols from the sample wells of the sample well tray to escape. A sample well tray with a plurality of the sample wells is positioned so that the sample wells align with the discharge openings of the filter plate columns to receive the liquid sample therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides multi-well plates and column arrays in which samples (e.g., cell lysates containing nucleic acids of interest, such as RNA) can be analyzed and/or processed. In one embodiment, the microfiltration arrangement is a multilayer structure, including (i) a column plate having an array of minicolumns into which samples can be placed, (ii) a discrete filter element disposed in each minicolumn, (iii) a drip-director plate having a corresponding array of drip directors through which filtrate may egress, and (iv) a receiving-well plate having a corresponding array of receiving wells into which filtrate can flow. The invention provides multi-well microfiltration arrangements that are relatively simple to manufacture and that overcome many of the problems associated with the prior arrangements relating to (i) cross-contamination due to wicking across a common filter sheet or (ii) individual filter elements entrapping sample constituents within substantial dead volumes.

Abstract: The present invention provides multi-well plates and column arrays in which samples (e.g., cell lysates containing nucleic acids of interest, such as RNA) can be analyzed and/or processed. In one embodiment, the microfiltration arrangement is a multilayer structure, including (i) a column plate having an array of minicolumns into which samples can be placed, (ii) a discrete filter element disposed in each minicolumn, (iii) a drip-director plate having a corresponding array of drip directors through which filtrate may egress, and (iv) a receiving-well plate having a corresponding array of receiving wells into which filtrate can flow. The invention provides multi-well microfiltration arrangements that are relatively simple to manufacture and that overcome many of the problems associated with is the prior arrangements relating to (i) cross-contamination due to wicking across a common filter sheet or (ii) individual filter elements entrapping sample constituents within substantial dead volumes.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which includes a sample holder for holding a reaction chamber which includes an optical interface, a fiber optic cable for delivering an excitation beam to a sample housed within the reaction chamber and for receiving light emitted by the sample, and a lens co-axially disposed with the fiber optic cable and positioned outside the reaction chamber for focusing the excitation beam through the optical interface and within a volume of the sample and for collecting and transmitting to the fiber optic cable light emitted within the volume of the sample.

Abstract: A system is provided for carrying out real time fluorescence-based measurements of nucleic acid amplification products. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an excitation beam is focused into a reaction mixture through a surface, the reaction mixture containing (i) a first fluorescent indicator capable of generating a first fluorescent signal whose intensity is proportional to the amount of an amplification product in the volume of the reaction mixture illuminated by the excitation beam and (ii) a second fluorescent indicator homogeneously distributed throughout the reaction mixture capable of generating a second fluorescent signal proportional to the volume of reaction mixture illuminated by the excitation beam. Preferably, the excitation beam is focused into the reaction mixture by a lens through a portion of a wall of a closed reaction chamber containing the reaction mixture.