Abstract: A sample testing device (100) for testing for the presence of a component of interest in a liquid sample comprises: (a) at least one capillary pathway (120) which has an upstream end and a downstream end and which incorporates a reagent system capable of causing agglutination with said component to be detected (the test capillary); (b) preferably, but optionally, at least one capillary pathway (121) having an upstream end and a downstream end (the control capillary); (c) a sampling region (114) to which the liquid sample is applied and from which the sample is able to enter the upstream ends of the test capillary(s) (120) and if present the control capillary(s) (121); (d) a power source (108, 109); (e) detection arrangements (117, 118) electrically associated with said power source (108, 109) for detecting the presence of liquid at a downstream region of said testing capillary(s) (120) and if present the control capillary(s) (121); (f) display means (113) operated by said power source (108, 109) for indicatin

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochemical sensor for a liquid sample. The sensor comprises a substrate (1) along which a liquid may travel by capillary action, said substrate being associated with an electrochemical detection arrangement (3) and a power source therefor, wherein the power source comprises at least one pair of electrodes (7, 8) of dissimilar material provided on the substrate and arranged such that liquid travel between the electrodes causes a current to be generated for operating the electrochemical detection arrangement.

Abstract: A method of effecting a manipulation of a nucleic acid sequence comprises (a) providing a solid support system having bonded thereto a single stranded oligonucleotide complementary to a specific sequence on a target nucleic acid longer than said oligonucleotide, (b) adding a source of single stranded target nucleic acid to the solid support system, (c) hybridising the target nucleic acid to the oligonucleotide, and (d) effecting the manipulation on the hybridised target nucleic acid. The manipulation may for example be a copying or amplification of the target nucleic acid sequence. In a preferred embodiment, the support is provided in a flow-through vessel which facilitates washing of the support to remove impurities and leave a "clean" sample of target nucleic acid on which the manipulation may be carried out. The support preferably has a siloxane matrix to which the oligonucleotide is bound. This provides a stable linkage between the oligonucleotide and the support.

Abstract: A marking element for indicating whether a pre-defined temperature condition has been maintained. The marking element comprises a first material capable of flowing above a predetermined temperature separated from a second absorbent material by a barrier layer. The first and second materials are such that when the barrier layer is punctured and the predetermined temperature is exceeded the first material flows along the second material to produce a detectable change.