Abstract: The invention is an improved multiplex capillary electrophoresis instrument or module with at least four and preferably six user-accessible vertically stacked drawers. An x-z stage moves samples from the user accessible drawers to the capillary array for analysis. An additional mechanical stage moves the array from side-to-side. The x-z stage, coupled with the additional array stage allows the system to sample all wells of a 384 well plate with a 96-capillary array. A computer program allows users to add capillary electrophoresis jobs to a queue corresponding to the analysis of rows or plates of samples without stopping or interrupting runs in progress.

Abstract: The invention is an improved multiplex capillary electrophoresis instrument or module with at least four and preferably six user-accessible vertically stacked drawers. An x-z stage moves samples from the user accessible drawers to the capillary array for analysis. An additional mechanical stage moves the array from side-to-side. The x-z stage, coupled with the additional array stage allows the system to sample all wells of a 384 well plate with a 96-capillary array. A computer program allows users to add capillary electrophoresis jobs to a queue corresponding to the analysis of rows or plates of samples without stopping or interrupting runs in progress.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of detecting the presence or absence of mold in a sample. The method can include the step of applying a sample suspected of containing the mold to a growth medium, optionally fragmenting the sample, associating the sample with a labeling agent, and detecting the presence or absence of the mold by detection of the labeling agent. The invention can also include a medium for growing mold that includes a stimulation agent.

Abstract: The invention is an improved multiplex capillary electrophoresis instrument or module with at least four and preferably six user-accessible vertically stacked drawers. An x-z stage moves samples from the user accessible drawers to the capillary array for analysis. An additional mechanical stage moves the array from side-to-side. The x-z stage, coupled with the additional array stage allows the system to sample all wells of a 384 well plate with a 96-capillary array. A computer program allows users to add capillary electrophoresis jobs to a queue corresponding to the analysis of rows or plates of samples without stopping or interrupting runs in progress.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of simultaneously detecting the presence or absence of more than one microbe class (e.g., bacteria, yeast, and mold) in a sample. The method can include the step of applying a sample suspected of containing more than one microbe class to a growth medium, optionally fragmenting the sample, associating the sample with a labeling agent, and simultaneously detecting the presence or absence of each microbe class by detection of the labeling agent.

Abstract: A system for the rapid detection of microbial contamination in a fluid sample such as water, involving the use of a filter material having a surface adapted to receive the sample in order to retain substantially all microbes from the sample on the filter surface under conditions that minimize the potential for contamination from sources other than the sample itself, and in a manner that permits the filter surface to be incubated in order to grow viable microbes contained thereon, in combination with a growth medium and an analytic instrument to permit analysis of the filter surface, within a predetermined incubation period, in order to determine whether the growth onset of viable microbes that may be present on the surface has begun.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of detecting the presence or absence of mold in a sample. The method can include the step of applying a sample suspected of containing the mold to a growth medium, optionally fragmenting the sample, associating the sample with a labeling agent, and detecting the presence or absence of the mold by detection of the labeling agent. The invention can also include a medium for growing mold that includes a stimulation agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for reducing background fluorescence in cell detection and measurement systems. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, cell-impermeant chemical agents are used to modify the fluorescent probes that reside outside the cells to be detected. The chemical agents can chemically modify one or more functional groups in the probes, thereby reducing or eliminating the fluorescence of the probes. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, Acid Black 48 is used to reduce background fluorescence produced by fluorescent probes such as SYTO 62.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for reducing background fluorescence in cell detection and measurement systems. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, cell-impermeant chemical agents are used to modify the fluorescent probes that reside outside the cells to be detected. The chemical agents can chemically modify one or more functional groups in the probes, thereby reducing or eliminating the fluorescence of the probes. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, Acid Black 48 is used to reduce background fluorescence produced by fluorescent probes such as SYTO 62.