Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for determining optimal primer sets for a multiplex assay, each of the optimal primer sets intended to amplify one or more targets. The method comprises obtaining amplification data from a plurality of preparatory assays. The amplification data describes at least the amplification of a first target of the one or more targets by a first primer set in a first preparatory assay, the amplification of the first target amplified by a second primer set in a second preparatory assay, the amplification of a second target of the one or more targets by the first primer set in a third preparatory assay, and the amplification of the second target by the second primer set in a fourth preparatory assay. The method further comprises determining a plurality of similarity metrics, each similarity metric being indicative of a degree of similarity between the amplification data produced by one of the plurality of preparatory assays compared to another one of the preparatory assays.

Abstract: A lid assembly for a sample tube, for collecting magnetic beads from the sample tube and subsequently releasing said beads, the lid assembly comprising: a closure part including means for removably attaching the closure part to the opening of the sample tube, to close the sample tube, and a bead-collecting platform arranged to locate within or above the opening of the sample tube when the closure part is attached to the sample tube, wherein the bead-collecting platform has a bead-collecting surface on one side, for coming into contact with liquid in the sample tube during use, and a magnet-receiving cavity on the other side, behind the bead-collecting surface; and a magnet-bearing part comprising a magnet, wherein the magnet is removably insertable into the magnet-receiving cavity, towards the bead-collecting surface, such that, when the magnet is present within the magnet-receiving cavity, the magnet is capable of holding magnetic beads against the bead-collecting surface, and when the magnet is not present

Abstract: There is provided apparatus for controlling the delivery of insulin to a subject. The apparatus comprises a first input (18) for receiving neural information from the subject indicative of prospective or actual food and/or drink intake and a second input (15) for receiving a signal indicative of the subject's blood glucose level (BG). The apparatus further comprises a processor or processors (10) configured to determine food and/or drink characteristics based on the received neural information and to determine an amount of insulin to be delivered based on the measured blood glucose levels (BG) and the determined food and/or drink characteristics, and an output for providing an insulin pump control signal (12) indicative of the determined amount of insulin.

Abstract: A method of adaptively determining one or more compensation factors in a closed-loop insulin delivery system comprising a continuous glucose level sensor, an insulin pump, and an insulin reservoir, where the system determines an insulin meal bolus taking into account an estimated amount of carbohydrates to be ingested, CHO, a difference between a currently sensed glucose level, G, and a glucose set point, Gsp, and at least one compensation factor, ICR.

Abstract: The present application relates to processor-implemented methods for determining a diagnostic outcome comprising receiving signals generated by an array of electro-chemical sensors in solution with a biological sample from a subject, each sensor of the array of electro-chemical sensors configured to generate a signal in response to one or more amplification reactions occurring in the solution, the one or more amplification reactions being indicative of the presence of an RNA host-response; processing the signals received from the array of electro-chemical sensors; based on the processing, assigning at least one value to the sample, the at least one value being indicative of a likelihood of the diagnostic outcome; based on the at least one assigned value, determining the diagnostic outcome.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a computer-implemented method of identifying the presence of any of a plurality of prospective target nucleic acids in a solution containing a biological sample. The method comprises receiving amplification curve data indicative of an amplification reaction associated with at least one unknown nucleic acid present in the solution; processing the received data, wherein the processing comprises inputting input data into a machine learning model trained to identify any of the plurality of prospective target nucleic acids, wherein the input data is based on the amplification curve data and is indicative of the degree of amplification of the at least one unknown nucleic acid over time during the amplification reaction; and based on the processing, determining that the at least one unknown nucleic acid is one of the plurality of prospective nucleic acids, and thereby identifying the presence of at least one of the plurality of target nucleic acids in the solution.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the prediction of physiological parameters, such as glucose levels. A training input is received, the training input comprising time-series values of a physiological parameter and time-series values of one or more further parameters. Training examples are generated form the training input, wherein each training example comprises a training dataset and a corresponding training label, wherein each training dataset is generated from the training input with time-series values restricted to a time interval, and wherein each corresponding training label represents the value of the physiological parameter a prediction period after the end of that time interval. A neural network is then trained using the training examples.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods, systems, computer programs and computer-readable media for the multidimensional analysis of real-time amplification data. A framework is presented that shows that the benefits of standard curves extend beyond absolute quantification when observed in a multidimensional environment. Relating to the field of Machine Learning, the disclosed method combines multiple extracted features (e.g. linear features) in order to analyse real-time amplification data using a multidimensional view. The method involves two new concepts: the multidimensional standard curve and its ‘home’, the feature space. Together they expand the capabilities of standard curves, allowing for simultaneous absolute quantification, outlier detection and providing insights into amplification kinetics.

Abstract: The present application relates to methods for detecting a first allele of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in a nucleic acid sequence under isothermal conditions using primers specific for said first allele, in particular using Loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), wherein the amplification of a second allele is prevented by using blocking primers.

Abstract: There is provided apparatus for controlling the delivery of insulin to a subject. The apparatus comprises a first input (18) for receiving neural information from the subject indicative of prospective or actual food and/or drink intake and a second input (15) for receiving a signal indicative of the subject's blood glucose level (BG). The apparatus further comprises a processor or processors (10) configured to determine food and/or drink characteristics based on the received neural information and to determine an amount of insulin to be delivered based on the measured blood glucose levels (BG) and the determined food and/or drink characteristics, and an output for providing an insulin pump control signal (12) indicative of the determined amount of insulin.

Abstract: A method is disclosed herein for detecting an amplification reaction in a solution containing a biological sample using an array of ion sensors. The amplification reaction is indicative of the presence of a nucleic acid. The method comprises monitoring a signal from each respective sensor of the array of ion sensors, detecting a change in the signal from a first sensor of the array of ion sensors, and comparing the signal from the first sensor with the signal of at least one neighbouring sensor, the at least one neighbouring sensor being proximate to the first sensor in the array. The method further comprises determining, based on the comparing, that an amplification event has occurred in the solution in the vicinity of the first sensor.

Abstract: The present application relates to methods for detecting a tandem repeat in a nucleic acid sequence under isothermal conditions using primers.

Abstract: An apparatus with a transducer having a first output signal and arranged to receive an electrical input. The transducer switches the first output signal between an ON and OFF state. The apparatus has a chemical sensing surface coupled to the transducer arranged to receive a chemical input. A signal generator oscillates one or more of said inputs to vary the switching point of the transducer. The oscillating input may be the chemical input and/or the electrical input. The output signal may be a pulse whose period ON or OFF is determined by the oscillating input modulated by the chemical input.

Abstract: A method of adaptively determining one or more compensation factors in a closed-loop insulin delivery system comprising a continuous glucose level sensor, an insulin pump, and an insulin reservoir, where the system determines an insulin meal bolus taking into account an estimated amount of carbohydrates to be ingested, CHO, a difference between a currently sensed glucose level, G, and a glucose set point, Gsp, and at least one compensation factor, ICR.

Abstract: An apparatus with a transducer having a first output signal and arranged to receive an electrical input. The transducer switches the first output signal between an ON and OFF state. The apparatus has a chemical sensing surface coupled to the transducer arranged to receive a chemical input. A signal generator oscillates one or more of said inputs to vary the switching point of the transducer. The oscillating input may be the chemical input and/or the electrical input. The output signal may be a pulse whose period ON or OFF is determined by the oscillating input modulated by the chemical input.

Abstract: An apparatus with a transducer having a first output signal and arranged to receive an electrical input. The transducer switches the first output signal between an ON and OFF state. The apparatus has a chemical sensing surface coupled to the transducer arranged to receive a chemical input. A signal generator oscillates one or more of said inputs to vary the switching point of the transducer. The oscillating input may be the chemical input and/or the electrical input. The output signal may be a pulse whose period ON or OFF is determined by the oscillating input modulated by the chemical input.

Abstract: An apparatus with a transducer having a first output signal and arranged to receive an electrical input. The transducer switches the first output signal between an ON and OFF state. The apparatus has a chemical sensing surface coupled to the transducer arranged to receive a chemical input. A signal generator oscillates one or more of said inputs to vary the switching point of the transducer. The oscillating input may be the chemical input and/or the electrical input. The output signal may be a pulse whose period ON or OFF is determined by the oscillating input modulated by the chemical input.

Abstract: An apparatus with a transducer having a first output signal and arranged to receive an electrical input. The transducer switches the first output signal between an ON and OFF state. The apparatus has a chemical sensing surface coupled to the transducer arranged to receive a chemical input. A signal generator oscillates one or more of said inputs to vary the switching point of the transducer. The oscillating input may be the chemical input and/or the electrical input. The output signal may be a pulse whose period ON or OFF is determined by the oscillating input modulated by the chemical input.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a controller for controlling a glucagon pump. The controller comprises an input 8 for receiving an input signal indicative of a measured blood glucose concentration, an output 9 for providing a pulsed glucagon pump drive signal, each pulse being arranged to cause a glucagon pump to deliver a volume of glucagon, and a processing unit 10 for setting the pulse frequency of the pump drive signal in dependence upon the input signal, such that when the input signal indicates that the measured blood glucose concentration is above a threshold concentration the pulse frequency is zero and when the input signal indicates that the measured blood glucose concentration is below the threshold concentration the pulse frequency is increased as the measured blood glucose concentration decreases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a controller unit and methods for controlling an insulin pump. The controller unit includes a user input that receives a gain factor. The gain factor has been calculated based on historical data in relation to a patient. The controller unit includes a measurement input for receiving data representative of a measured blood glucose level for the patient. Processing logic of the controller unit is configured to apply the measured blood glucose level to a pancreatic beta-cell insulin secretion computational model to predict an insulin output level, apply the gain factor to the predicted insulin output level to determine a patient insulin deficiency level, and calculate a control signal for controlling the insulin output level of the insulin pump based on the patient insulin deficiency level. Methods are provided for optimizing the gain factor based on the historical data in relation to the patient.