The technology described herein generally relates to systems for extracting polynucleotides from multiple samples, particularly from biological samples, and additionally to systems that subsequently amplify and detect the extracted polynucleotides. The technology more particularly relates to microfluidic systems that carry out PCR on multiple samples of nucleotides of interest within microfluidic channels, and detect those nucleotides.

A handling system for high throughput processing of a large volume of biological samples is provided herein. Such systems can include an array support assembly that supports multiple diagnostic assay modules in an array having at least two dimensions, a loader that loads multiple diagnostic assay cartridges within the multiple diagnostic assay modules. The array support assembly can be movable relative the loader to facilitate loading and unloading so as to provide more efficient processing.

A rover-based integrated laboratory system including autonomous mobile robots is disclosed. Namely, a rover-based integrated laboratory system is disclosed comprising a workspace; a laboratory component within the workspace, the laboratory component being adapted to perform a laboratory technique; a labware component within the workspace that is adapted to be used in the laboratory technique; and a rover component within the workspace that is operatively connected to the laboratory and the labware components, the rover component being an autonomous mobile robot.

A sample rack is provided with a placement table having an upper surface for placing at least one sample plate thereon, a handle portion holding a proximal end portion of the placement table, the handle portion having a lower end portion positioned lower than a lower surface of the placement table when the upper surface of the placement table is leveled, and a leg portion attached to the placement table and configured to take a protruding posture in which the leg portion is protruded downward from the lower surface of the placement table and a storage posture in which the leg portion is not protruded downward from the lower surface of the placement table. The leg portion is configured to support the sample rack to maintain the upper surface of the placement table substantially horizontally in cooperation with the lower end portion of the handle portion when the sample rack is placed on a substantially horizontal surface in a state in which the leg portion takes the protruding posture.

Incubation system and method for automated cell culture and/or testing. An exemplary incubation system may comprise a housing forming a chamber. A rack may define storage positions to support an array of sample holders inside the chamber. A detection robot may be configured to capture one or more images of cells contained by one or more wells of each sample holder while the sample holder remains at one of the storage positions of the rack. A fluid handling station may be configured to add fluid to, and/or remove fluid from, one or more wells of each of the sample holders inside the housing. At least one plate robot may be configured to move sample holders between the rack and the fluid handling station. A computer may control operation of the detection robot, the fluid handling station, and the at least one plate robot.

We describe apparatuses, systems, method, reagents, and kits for conducting assays as well as process for their preparation. They are particularly well suited for conducting automated sampling, sample preparation, and analysis in a multi-well plate assay format. For example, they may be used for automated analysis of particulates in air and/or liquid samples derived therefrom in environmental monitoring.

An automated low-temperature storage for storing laboratory samples includes a storage zone for storing the samples that is maintainable at a first temperature below 20 C.; a handling zone located above the storage zone that is maintainable at a second temperature above the first temperature and below 0 C.; a chamber laterally adjacent to the storage zone and the handling zone for storing the samples at a third temperature that is higher than the first temperature and below 0 C.; and a vertical wall separating the chamber from the handling zone and storage zone. A first opening arranged in said vertical wall connects the handling zone and the chamber; and an automated transport device is arranged at least partially in the handling zone and is configured to move the samples between the storage zone, the handling zone, and the chamber.

The present invention provides an array-type fecal occult blood detection analyzer. The array-type fecal occult blood detection analyzer comprises: a sample box frame (1) for carrying multiple sample boxes (11), the sample box frame (1) is an array-type structure; a conveying unit (2) for conveying the sample box frame (1), the conveying unit (2) comprises: a linear track (21) for supporting the sample box frame (1), and a driving device (23) for driving the sample box frame (1) so as to realize reciprocating linear movement; a downwards-pressing device (5) for downwards pressing the sample boxes (11); and an information collection device (4) for collecting color ribbon information presented on the test strip in the sample box (11) and label information on the sample box (11). The analyzer utilizes the linear track (21) for conveying the sample box frame (1), the feeding channel and the discharging channel are the same one, such that one channel can be cancelled, and the volume and the space of fecal occult blood detection analyzer are reduced, all sample boxes (11) are located in the same sample box frame (1), accordingly batch feeding and batch recovery of sample boxes (11) are realized.