Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for disinfecting, in particular sterilizing, objects or solids, preferably pieces of protective equipment, in particular protective masks or protective clothing, with a treatment chamber for receiving one or more objects or solids, preferably one or more pieces of protective equipment, with a closable airlock through which objects or solids, preferably pieces of protective equipment, can be introduced into the treatment chamber and/or removed from the treatment chamber and with a generation unit for generating reactive species in a gas stream. The generation unit includes discharge means configured to generate an electrical discharge in the gas stream. The generating unit is arranged such that the gas stream, during operation, passes from the generating unit into the treatment chamber. The invention further relates to a use of the apparatus.

Abstract: Methods for identifying a target cell and for genetic analysis are provided, which comprise in situ hybridizing of a target sequence in a target cell with a complementary labeled sequence and cell identification of the target cell by the aid of detecting hybridized sequence by flow cytometry. Methods for quantifying fetal mRNA within a maternal blood sample are also provided, which comprise amplifying fetal cell specific mRNA, synthesizing labeled sequences comprising a sequence being complementary or partly complementary to said amplified fetal cell specific mRNA, hybridizing said labeled sequence with said amplified fetal cell specific mRNA and detecting the hybridized labeled complementary sequence.