Abstract: An enhanced microplate and retention device for selectively retaining tube inserts within the microplate. A dynamic microplate having a selectable number of interchangeable microwells.

Abstract: An enhanced microplate can include a base having a footprint with a length of 5 127.76 mm±1 mm and a width of 85.48 mm±1 mm. The base can be configured for an array of microwells having a base being configured for an array of micro wells such that there are ax rows along the width and ?bx? columns along the length, where a is 8 or 9, b is 12, 13 or 14 provided that when b is 12, a is 9, and x is 0.5 or a positive integer. These enhanced microplates can be used to effectively increase throughput, decrease analysis time, and can be readily integrated into existing systems.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices for analyzing sequence variations in nucleic acid samples comprising multiple loci, each having two, three or more possible allelic sequences. The method involves combining at least a first and second pair of oligonucleotide probes with the nucleic acid sample. The first pair of probes is capable of hybridizing in proximity to each other within a segment of the nucleic acid sample comprising the first locus and the second pair is capable of hybridizing in proximity to each other within a segment of the nucleic acid sample comprising the second locus. The first member of each probe pair comprises a FRET donor and the second member comprises a FRET acceptor, the FRET acceptor of the first probe pair member having a different emission spectrum from the FRET acceptor of the second probe pair.

Abstract: A system for thermal cycling a sample utilizing electrolyte conductance heating. An electric current is passed through the sample to increase its temperature due to resistance heating. As the sample acquires more thermal energy its viscosity changes, which causes a change in resistance. Because of this characteristic, temperature of the sample can be measured as a function of resistance and temperature can be controlled using resistance of the solution as feedback to a circuit which controls the heating of the sample by electrical conductance.