Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sample holder for use in an analytical method involving thermocycling, such as PCR. The sample holder includes a base plate made of a base plate material. The base plate includes a top surface and an array of wells, wherein each well is configured for receiving a sample. The sample holder includes a solid cover structure being made of a material having a melting point which is lower than the melting point of the base plate material. The solid cover structure is arranged on the top surface of the base plate such that at least some of the wells are uncovered. Further disclosed are a method for manufacturing a sample holder, an apparatus and the use of the sample holder.

Abstract: A metallic sample holder includes an array of wells, wherein each well of the array is adapted to capture a sample volume. A first sector of the array comprises wells that are loaded with a first reagent of a first dried or freeze-dried nucleic acid amplification test reagent. A second sector of the array comprises wells that are loaded with a second reagent of a second dried or freeze-dried nucleic acid amplification test reagent.