Abstract: There is provided a sterilisation assembly for a molecular diagnostic assay analyse. The assembly comprising: an enclosure having a passage therethrough, the passage being arranged in use to allow an assay sample set to pass through the enclosure, the enclosure defining a barrier adapted in use to restrict fluid communication across the enclosure to communication through the passage; and a decontaminator located within the passage, the decontaminator is arranged in use to sterilise contamination in the passage.

Abstract: An assay cartridge (31) for use in a molecular diagnostics assay comprising: an assay region (32), possibly containing a plurality of reagent wells (34); a first end comprising a first engagement member (35), such as a lip or protrusion, for engaging with a support housing; and a second end comprising a second engagement member (36) for engaging with a support housing; wherein the second engagement member comprises a clip, the clip being formed by a resilient element extending from the second end of the cartridge and a fastening element extending from said resilient element; wherein the clip comprises a release element extending from the resilient element actuatable to release the clip from a caddy or support housing in use.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chemiluminescence detector, which comprises an image capture device sensitive to chemiluminescence located within a container. The container has an array of apertures located in a field of view of the image capture device, and each aperture is defined by a through-bore in a wall of the container. The exterior of the container is engagable with a plurality of sample holders, each sample holder being in alignment with a respective aperture when engaged with the exterior of the container. The passage of light into the container through each aperture is restrictable by a closure device, passage of light into the container through the apertures is thereby controllable.

Abstract: There is provided a pipette tip disposal assembly. The assembly comprises a receiving element adapted to support an end of at least one pipette tip, the at least one pipette tip being toppled in use from the receiving element along a first direction; and a container positioned to receive the at least one toppled pipette tip, the at least one pipette tip falling towards a base of the container on being received by the container. The base of the container has a first linear dimension aligned with the first direction corresponding to the length of a pipette tip.

Abstract: A cartridge for polymerase chain reaction, PCR, comprises a vessel for PCR having an opening and a resealable membrane arranged, in use, to cover the opening of the vessel such that the opening of the vessel is vapour tight.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser for dispensing beverage from one or more beverage units. Each of the beverage units includes a respective beverage unit outlet, and a respective support structure supporting beverage and orienting the respective beverage unit outlet. The dispenser includes a refrigerator in which the beverage unit(s) are receivable; a respective inlet, within the refrigerator, for each of the beverage units; at least one a dispensing outlet for dispensing beverage into drinking vessels; one or more fluid paths from the inlet(s) to the dispensing outlet(s); a guide arrangement co-operable with the support structure(s) to guide the beverage unit(s) so that each respective beverage unit outlet co-operates with its respective inlet to form a respective dry break connection through which beverage is conveyable on route to the dispensing outlet(s) via the fluid path(s).

Abstract: The present invention provides biomarker-based methods for diagnosing stroke in a patient suspected of having suffered a stroke, and also for discriminating between ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack. Substrates comprising probes for specific combinations of biomarkers useful in the methods of the invention are also described.

Abstract: There is provided a method of classifying a biological status of an individual. The method comprising: obtaining a biological sample from a patient; obtaining health-related information from the patient, said information including patient gender; analysing the sample to identify a quantity of each of 2 or more endogenous analytes in the sample; comparing the analyte quantities to reference data from healthy individuals to classify the patient as healthy, pre-diseased, at risk of disease or diseased for at least one health-related condition. The reference data includes data derived from a group of biological samples of individuals having the same gender as the patient and not having a need for medical treatment for a disease or illness, each biological sample of the group of biological samples having been analysed by the same process as used to analyse the patient sample, the process being monitored to maintain a predetermined level of consistency.

Abstract: A method for determining predisposition of a subject to developing renal dysfunction (AKI), and to a kit for use in making such a determination is provided. Suitably at least one marker selected from Midkine (MK) or H-FABP present in a blood or urine sample is used in the method.

Abstract: A fluidic card assembly comprising a fluidic card housing (1) and a biochip (3) located in the fluidic card housing. The fluidic card housing (1) includes a chamber (2) with a base wall, into which at least one fluidic channel extends. The biochip (3) is at least partially located in the chamber. A seal (7) is provided for sealing the biochip in the chamber (2) when the biochip is urged into the chamber. The fluidic channel has a serpentine form.

Abstract: Antibodies, immunoassay methods and kits for the detection and determination of 3,4,-dichloro-N-[2-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl]-N-methylbenzamide and 3,4,-dichloro-N-[2-(methylamino)cyclohexyl]-N-methylbenzamide, as well as the precursory immunogens, are described.

Abstract: Immunoassay methods and their requisite components for the detection and determination of phenethylamines of the 2C and DO sub-families are described.

Abstract: A biochip well is disclosed, including a vessel containing a well therewithin, the vessel forming at least base and side walls of the well and defining at least one aperture giving access to the well, and further including retaining means for holding a biochip at a predetermined position within the well, the well including a laterally offset region into which the biochip does not protrude when held at the predetermined position by the retaining means. Also disclosed are sealed well assemblies and apparatus and methods for opening sealed wells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of aiding the differential diagnosis of haemorrhagic stroke, ischemic stroke and a transient ischemic attack in a patient who has suffered or is suffering a stroke. The method comprises: (i) determining the concentration of the biomarkers VCAM-1, GFAP and CRP in an ex vivo sample obtained from the patient; and (ii) establishing the statistical significance of the concentration of the biomarkers. Optionally, the method further comprises steps of (iii) determining the concentration of the biomarkers IL-6 and sTNFR1 in an ex vivo sample obtained from the patient; (iv) determining the gender of the patient; and (v) establishing the statistical significance of the concentration of the five biomarkers, in conjunction with the patient's gender. The present invention also provides substrates comprising probes for VCAM-1, GFAP and CRP for use in a method for aiding the differential diagnosis of stroke.

Abstract: The invention describes epistatic interactions between single nucleotide polymorphisms on genes associated with blood pressure and provides an application for their use in a method to determine an individual's susceptibility to hypertension and hence whether anti-hypertensive treatment will be beneficial for said individual. In addition gene expression levels are also linked to blood pressure and may also be used to determine susceptibility to hypertension.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cap for a biochip storage well. The cap comprises a resilient sealant layer capable, under the application of pressure, of forming a vapour-proof seal with a line contact interface formation extending around the perimeter of a biochip storage well. An assay assembly comprising the cap of the invention and a biochip storage is disclosed. Methods of sealing a biochip storage well using a cap of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies for use in detecting polymyxins and tracers; and to a single-capture immunodetection method and kits, each utilising the antibodies of the invention, and disclosed tracers.

Abstract: An immunoassay method for detecting and determining adamantane substituted indazole and indole synthetic cannabinoids is described. Also described are components for use in implementing the method, namely, antibodies, detection agents, solid state devices and kits as well as immunogens used to raise the antibodies.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of isolating paired T cell receptor (TCR) alpha and beta chain sequences, or an antigen-binding portion thereof. Also disclosed are methods of automatically identifying the TCR alpha and beta chain V segment sequences and CDR3 sequences of a TCR having antigenic specificity for a mutated amino acid sequence encoded by a cancer-specific mutation. Methods of preparing a population of cells that express paired TCR alpha and beta chain sequences, or an antigen-binding portion thereof, are also disclosed. Isolated pairs of TCR alpha and beta chain sequences and isolated populations of cells prepared by the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a method of extracting material from a fluid method of extracting material from a fluid, the fluid being held within a fluid chamber. The method comprises drawing, with a magnetic field generating system, at least one magnetically susceptible member through the fluid around a closed path between at least three points in the chamber, said at least one member being adapted to bind to material in fluid in the chamber. The at least three points are arranged relative to each other in a shape having at least two dimensions, the magnetic field generating system being configured to move the at least on magnetically susceptible member directly between the at least three points, material in the fluid binding to the at least one magnetically susceptible member when it comes into contact with the at least one member as it moves through the fluid.