Abstract: Disrupting a biological cell includes freezing, boiling or perhaps alternately freezing and boiling material containing the biological cell using a thermoelectric cell with a working face, and a base face whereof is contiguous with a heat source/sink at a substantially constant temperature. Apparatus for the disruption process includes a peltier cell, a base face, which is flexibly attached to a heat source/sink held at a constant temperature, and a working face contiguous with a reaction vessel or holder thereof. Reversal of the voltage in the peltier cell enables the working face alternately to reach below freezing and above boiling temperatures, and/or with use of a resistive wire on the vessel or holder for heating, with the TEC used purely for cooling. The materials of the base face tend to inhibit disintegration of the peltier cell brought about by expansion and contraction by heat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bio-secure means for the detection of pathogens and provides a bio-secure reaction vessel and methods of preparing a sample for PCR-based pathogen detection. The reaction vessel comprises a reaction chamber portion (1); a cap holder portion (2); and a cap (3). Two points of security, such as two O-ring seals (9, 10), are provided between the cap (3) and the reaction chamber portion (1). A first seal (9) may be located at a top of the cap holder portion (2) and a second seal (10) may be located at a base of the cap (10).

Abstract: A nucleic acid amplification (NAA) reaction vessel includes two opposing major walls a minor wall system, having two minor walls which are attached to the major walls, define a reaction chamber having a base, with the major and minor walls being formed of a thermally conductive material. An inlet port permits the introduction of fluid into the reaction vessel, and a cap is arranged for sealing the inlet port. A light transmissive window is located at the base of the vessel reaction chamber. The vessel has a capacity greater than 100 microlitres. Process and apparatus employing the reaction vessel are also described.

Abstract: An amplicon separation apparatus and process for enabling the identification of a plurality of target DNA molecules in a sample such as blood, the apparatus including a consumable and a docking instrument for receiving the consumable. The consumable incorporates a reaction vessel heating station, a reaction vessel content transfer station, an amplicon size separation station, and a reader station. The instrument controls and monitors the consumable and the operation thereof.

Abstract: A heat removal module slice constructed to service a row of reaction vessels, the slice being in the form of a block of thermally conductive material having a row of reaction stations at an edge thereof, at one end thereof a liquid entry manifold and at the other end thereof a liquid exhaust manifold; and a heat exchanger liquid channel adjacent the reaction stations and extending between the two manifolds. The slice is constructed to form, with a plurality of similar slices, a heat reduction module for incorporation in a reaction, typically a PCR reaction, apparatus and process.

Abstract: A process for the identification of genetic material in a biological liquid sample and including the steps of injecting into a reaction vessel containing freeze dried PCR reagents and labelled primers sufficient pure water to liquify the reagents and primers; injecting the biological liquid sample into the reaction vessel; subjecting the reaction vessel contents to a cell disruption process, in the said reaction vessel; conducting pathogen specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on the contents of the reaction vessel; and monitoring the PCR and determining therefrom the presence of a specific genetic material. A device for performing the process comprises a heat reduction module (HRM); a peltier cell (TEC) the base plate whereof is contiguous with the HRM; a reaction vessel receiving heat transfer sleeve contiguous with a working face of the TEC; retention means for holding a reaction vessel in the sleeve; and means for driving the TEC.

Abstract: A vessel cup assembly 98 for receiving a chemical and/or biological reaction process vessel 200 containing reactants and processing the reaction therein includes a reaction vessel receiving portion 100, a heater portion 101, and a cooling portion 102, wherein the assembly is of integral construction.

Abstract: An apparatus 20 for biological or chemical reactions, in particular PCR, includes a heat removal module 22 adapted to receive snugly a reaction vessel 24 in such a manner as to create good thermal conductivity contact between the module and the vessel. The heat removal module 22 is formed of a thermally conductive material having therein a channel 64 adapted for the flow of a coolant liquid. The heat removal module 22 is constructed with an array of receiving stations 62 for the reception of a corresponding array of reaction vessels 24.

Abstract: A process for the disruption of a biological cell comprising freezing, boiling or perhaps alternately freezing and boiling the material containing the biological cell using a thermoelectric cell a base face whereof is contiguous with a heat sink/source held at a substantially constant temperature and a working face . Apparatus for carrying out the disruption process comprises a peltier cell a base face of which is flexibly attached to a heat sink arranged to be kept at a constant temperature of around 50° C. and a working face of which is contiguous with a reaction vessel or a reaction vessel holder. Reversal of the voltage in the peltier cell enables the working face alternately to reach below freezing and above boiling temperatures, and/or with use of a resistive wire on the vessel holder for heating with the TEC used purely for cooling The peltier cell base face is constructed of materials which tend to inhibit disintegration of the peltier cell brought about by expansion and contraction under heat.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting a plurality of analytes in a sample and comprising: a reaction vessel; means for subjecting a sample in the reaction vessel to a multiplication process; a separation stage operable to separate amplimer constituents according to size; optical detection means for quantifying the sizes present and determining the colour of each size; and means for comparing the resulting quantification and colours with known data to determine the nature of the or each or a proportion of the or each target amplimers present. Processes employing the apparatus are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus 20 for biological or chemical reactions, in particular PCR, includes a heat removal module 22 adapted to receive snugly a reaction vessel 24 in such a manner as to create good thermal conductivity contact between the module and the vessel. The heat removal module 22 is formed of a thermally conductive material having therein a channel 64 adapted for the flow of a coolant liquid. The heat removal module 22 is constructed with an array of receiving stations 62 for the reception of a corresponding array of reaction vessels 24.

Abstract: A thermal cycling apparatus 9 and process includes at least one reaction vessel 14 which is associated with a thermoelectric cooler 12 (TEC), such as a Peltier cell, and arranged to provide both heating and cooling of the reaction vessel. A first side of the TEC 12 is associated with the at least one reaction vessel 14 and a second side of the TEC is arranged in use to be maintained at a temperature intermediate the highest temperature and the lowest temperature used in a thermal cycling operation. Electric current is supplied to the TEC 12 in one direction whereby the said first side becomes hotter than the second side, and then in the other direction whereby the first side becomes cooler than the second side.

Abstract: An apparatus 20 for biological or chemical reactions, in particular PCR, includes a heat removal module 22 adapted to receive snugly a reaction vessel 24 in such a manner as to create good thermal conductivity contact between the module and the vessel. The heat removal module 22 is formed of a thermally conductive material having therein a channel 64 adapted for the flow of a coolant liquid. The heat removal module 22 is constructed with an array of receiving stations 62 for the reception of a corresponding array of reaction vessels 24.