Abstract: The present invention generally concerns an automated system capable of performing quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis of a nucleic acid present in a biological sample together with preparation of a sequencing-ready nucleic acid library from the sample, either simultaneously or sequentially. In a further aspect, the present invention also provides a method for performing qPCR of a nucleic acid present in a biological sample together with simultaneous of sequential preparation of a sequencing-ready nucleic acid library from the sample. Finally, the present invention also provides removable cartridges for use in the automated systems and methods according to the invention.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising a plurality of microreactors is provided. Each microreactor includes at least a first inlet and a second inlet for supplying a first fluid and a second fluid, respectively, to said microreactor and at least one waste channel for draining fluid from said microreactor. The device further comprises a shared first microfluidic supply system for supplying a first fluid to the first inlets of the plurality of microreactors, a shared second microfluidic supply system for supplying a second fluid to the second inlets of the plurality of microreactors. At least one of said inlets to each microreactor comprises at least one valve-less fluidic resistance element having a fluidic resistance that is substantially larger than the fluidic resistance of the corresponding shared microfluidic supply system. A chemical reaction sequencer apparatus including the microfluidic device and a method for supplying reagents to a plurality of microreactors are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a micro-reactor (1) adapted to host chemical reactions having at least one microfluidic layer, said micro-reactor (1) comprising a fluid inlet (2) and a fluid outlet (3); a plurality of micro-reaction chambers (10) arranged in rows (7) and columns (6), each micro-reaction chamber comprising a chamber inlet (10a) and a chamber outlet (10b); a plurality of supply channels (4) for supplying fluid to from said fluid inlet (2) to said micro-reaction chambers (10) and further arranged for draining said micro-reaction chambers (10) to said fluid outlet (3), said supply channels (10) extending in a first direction (D1) along the columns (6) of micro-reaction chambers (10) and arranged such that there is one supply channel (4) between adjacent columns (6).

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising a plurality of microreactors is provided. Each microreactor includes at least a first inlet and a second inlet for supplying a first fluid and a second fluid, respectively, to said microreactor and at least one waste channel for draining fluid from said microreactor. The device further comprises a shared first microfluidic supply system for supplying a first fluid to the first inlets of the plurality of microreactors, a shared second microfluidic supply system for supplying a second fluid to the second inlets of the plurality of microreactors. At least one of said inlets to each microreactor comprises at least one valve-less fluidic resistance element having a fluidic resistance that is substantially larger than the fluidic resistance of the corresponding shared microfluidic supply system. A chemical reaction sequencer apparatus including the microfluidic device and a method for supplying reagents to a plurality of microreactors are also provided.

Abstract: A transfer device for the contamination free transfer of biological material from a sealed chamber to a recipient. The transfer device includes a support having a first docking area and a second docking area. The first docking area has at least one inlet port, each inlet port creating a fluid connection with one sealed chamber. The second docking area has at least one outlet port, each outlet port creating a fluid connection with a recipient. The first docking area further includes a piercing element designed for piercing a sealing element of a sealed chamber in order to allow, together with at least one inlet port, a fluid connection between a pierced sealed chamber and the inlet port, to allow a contamination free transfer of the biological material from the pierced sealed chamber to at least one recipient.

Abstract: A device for sealing liquids inside a selected zone of a fluidic path that runs in a fluidic assembly and then for cutting or removing the thus sealed zone in a spillage- and contamination-free manner from said fluidic assembly. Methods of performing such contamination- and leakage-free sealing and cutting of selected fluidic path zones comprising a liquid of interest from the remaining parts of fluidic assemblies, preferably in a fully automated manner.

Abstract: The present invention generally-relates to cartridges for automated systems and automated methods for fully automated processing of biological samples to next-generation sequencing-ready nucleic acid libraries. In particular, the present invention concerns a fluidic cartridge comprising a compartment for receiving a biological sample, means for liberating and/or purifying nucleic acids from the received sample and for transporting said nucleic acids to a compartment wherein NGS library can be prepared from said nucleic acids using provided therein reagents. In a particular aspect, the present invention also concerns cartridges for automated systems and automated methods for preparing an NGS nucleic acid library from a biological sample simultaneously or sequentially with a qPCR assay performed on the same biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention generally concerns an automated system capable of performing quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis of a nucleic acid present in a biological sample together with preparation of a sequencing-ready nucleic acid library from said sample, either simultaneously or sequentially. In a further aspect, the present invention also provides a method for performing qPCR of a nucleic acid present in a biological sample together with simultaneous of sequential preparation of a sequencing-ready nucleic acid library from said sample. Finally, the present invention also provides removable cartridges for use in the automated systems and methods according to the invention.

Abstract: System for performing biological analysis comprising: a cartridge having a deformable chamber suitable for containing a liquid to be analyzed; a heater having a heating face arranged to heat the liquid contained in the deformable chamber; characterized in that the heating face of the heater is moveable from a first position to at least a second position, different from the first position, to allow an increase of volume of said deformable chamber in order to compensate an increase of pressure in the deformable chamber during the heating of said liquid by said heater.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transfer device (100, 200) for the contamination free transfer of at least a biological material from at least a sealed chamber (1), sealed by sealing means, to at least a recipient (301), the transfer device (100, 200) comprising a support (102, 202) that comprises a first docking area (103, 203) and a second docking area (104, 204), said first docking area (103, 203) comprising at least an inlet port (108, 208), each inlet port (108, 208) being designed for creating a fluid connection with one sealed chamber (1), and said second docking area (104, 204) comprising at least an outlet port (113, 213), each outlet port (113, 213) being designed for creating a fluid connection with a recipient (301), at least one inlet port (108, 208) being in fluid connection with at least one outlet port (113, 213), the transfer device (100, 200) further comprising piercing means being designed for piercing the sealing means of at least a sealed chamber (1) in order to allow, together with at

Abstract: System for performing biological analysis comprising: a cartridge having a deformable chamber suitable for containing a liquid to be analyzed; a heater having a heating face arranged to heat the liquid contained in the deformable chamber; characterized in that the heating face of the heater is moveable from a first position to at least a second position, different from the first position, to allow an increase of volume of said deformable chamber in order to compensate an increase of pressure in the deformable chamber during the heating of said liquid by said heater.