Abstract: A method is provided that conveniently allows rapid amplification of nucleic acids. Two different heat sources are used to heat the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Described is a process for the separation of a sample mixture for analytical reason based on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The method is involving a first separation in a first gel strip on the basis of isoelectric points and a second separation in a second gel on the basis of molecular size. When starting the separation in the second dimension the buffer solution for transferring the compounds separated in the first dimension into the second dimension gel is containing sodium dodecyl-sulfate (SDS) and by applying an electric field the SDS migrates electrokinetically into the first gel strip, and the compounds are being complexed simultaneously with SDS.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, devices and computer programs for preparing nucleic acids from a template nucleic acid by subjecting a sample to thermocycles. After a first number of thermocycles, a partial amount of the reaction mixture is being subjected to a second number of thermocycles. This two step amplification method speeds up overall reaction time without affecting the limit of detection.

Abstract: A method to adjust a temperature of a fluid is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of providing a heat sink taking effect on the fluid, heating the fluid by Joule heating, and adjusting the heat provided by Joule heating in order to reach a desired temperature of the fluid. Furthermore, an apparatus to carry out the method is also disclosed. Therewith, a very efficient temperature change of the fluid can very quickly be obtained since the temperature of the surrounding is not substantially changed by heat diffusion. While a temperature increase is carried out by Joule heating, a temperature decrease is carried out by simply deactivating Joule heating. As soon as Joule heating is deactivated, the heat is extracted from the fluid by the heat sink, thereby initiating a high speed temperature change towards lower temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a microfluidic device capable of conveying a liquid by capillary forces. The microfluidic device comprises a microfluidic channel system comprising i) a liquid supply compartment; ii) a first channel connected to the liquid supply compartment, having at least one non-closing valve located downstream of the liquid supply compartment; and iii) a second channel. The second channel branches-off from the first channel downstream of the liquid supply compartment but upstream of the at least one non-closing valve and which re-unites with the first channel at the location of the non-closing valve to form an outlet channel. The second channel does not contain any non-closing or closing valve thus creating an unobstructed liquid flow path connecting the liquid supply compartment with the outlet channel.

Abstract: Very large amounts of data may be handled by the user interface of computers. The main processor is thus permanently overloaded, so that the computing power available for the actual application is sharply reduced in a manner that cannot be predicted without limiting the user requests. A new computer architecture is disclosed which allows a higher and more exactly predictable computing power to be achieved. In order to make the rest of the system independent from the user interface, the computer is subdivided in such a way that a first module (part 1) takes over the display and operation tasks of the user interface, a second module (part 2) takes over the processing of the application programs without their user interface, and a third module (part 3) takes over the remaining functional units. All modules have their own internal data paths. An interface between the first and second modules support the exchange of messages and data without affecting the independent processes in the first and second modules.