An apparatus comprising: first and second Peltier devices arranged in substantial opposition to one another; and a thermally conducting chamber defined substantially between the first and second Peltier devices and configured to enclose a reaction vessel during use to facilitate a transfer of heat between the reaction vessel and the Peltier devices.

An apparatus comprising: first and second Peltier devices arranged in substantial opposition to one another; and a thermally conducting chamber defined substantially between the first and second Peltier devices and configured to enclose a reaction vessel during use to facilitate a transfer of heat between the reaction vessel and the Peltier devices.

A test element support comprises a heating element for heating a test element for analytical examination of a sample. The heating element comprises a substrate, which is made of at least one substrate material. The substrate comprises at least one active area configured for being heated and at least one non-active area outside the active area. The active and the non-active areas are separated by at least one thermal insulation element. The thermal insulation element has a lower thermal conductivity than the substrate material. The thermal insulation element is fully or partially embedded into the substrate. The test element support further comprises at least one heater. The heater comprises at least one heater substrate and the heater substrate is attached to the substrate, wherein the heater substrate is attached to a back face of the substrate. The back face opposes a front face of the substrate contacting the test element.

A test element support comprises a heating element for heating a test element for analytical examination of a sample. The heating element comprises a substrate, which is made of at least one substrate material. The substrate comprises at least one active area configured for being heated and at least one non-active area outside the active area. The active and the non-active areas are separated by at least one thermal insulation element. The thermal insulation element has a lower thermal conductivity than the substrate material. The thermal insulation element is fully or partially embedded into the substrate. The test element support further comprises at least one heater. The heater comprises at least one heater substrate and the heater substrate is attached to the substrate, wherein the heater substrate is attached to a back face of the substrate. The back face opposes a front face of the substrate contacting the test element.

Fluidic systems including cartridges with modular components (cassettes) and/or microfluidic channels for performing chemical and/or biological analyses are provided. The systems described herein include a cartridge comprising, in some embodiments, a frame, one or more cassettes which may be inserted into the frame, and a channel system for transporting fluids. In certain embodiments, the one or more cassettes comprise one or more reservoirs or vessels configured to contain and/or receive a fluid (e.g., a stored reagent, a sample). In some cases, the stored reagent may include one or more lyospheres. The systems and methods described herein may be useful for performing chemical and/or biological reactions including polymerase chain reactions (PCR) such as those performed within a laboratory, clinical (e.g., hospital), or research setting.

Devices and related methods for automated processing of nucleic acids are provided herein. In some aspects, the application relates to devices comprising at least two cartridge bays having at least one shared resource which is shared between or among the at least two cartridge bays.

Fluidic systems including cartridges with modular components (cassettes) and/or microfluidic channels for performing chemical and/or biological analyses are provided. The systems described herein include a cartridge comprising, in some embodiments, a frame, one or more cassettes which may be inserted into the frame, and a channel system for transporting fluids. In certain embodiments, the one or more cassettes comprise one or more reservoirs or vessels configured to contain and/or receive a fluid (e.g., a stored reagent, a sample). In some cases, the stored reagent may include one or more lyospheres. The systems and methods described herein may be useful for performing chemical and/or biological reactions including polymerase chain reactions (PCR) such as those performed within a laboratory, clinical (e.g., hospital), or research setting.

Biological analysis system and methods for operating devices of the system are provided. A library preparation device of the biological analysis system may perform a library preparation protocol on a biological sample, where the library preparation protocol is determined based on information from an encoded identifier associated with the biological sample and a resource to be used by the library preparation device. A sequencing device may perform a sequencing process on a library prepared by the library preparation device. Configuration of the sequencing device to perform the process may include receiving sample information generated by the library preparation device and processing the sample information to generate configuration information for the sequencing device. Results from the sequencing process may be analyzed to determine nucleic acid sequences based on the sample information.

Cryogenic devices are provided in which solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) is used to maintain a temperature zone in which samples can be manipulated under conditions in which the sample is maintained at a temperature below 50 C.

Cryogenic devices are provided in which solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) is used to maintain a temperature zone in which samples can be manipulated under conditions in which the sample is maintained at a temperature below 50 C.