The present random access PCR reactor for biological analysis, comprises of a number of PCR reactors held on a platform, and one optical system to be shared by all of the PCR reactors on the platform. The optical system is held on a traverse mechanism to move it over any one of the PCR reactors that are ready to be imaged. Other PCR reactors on the platform can be accesses and replaced. The optical system has a lightpipe and a lightguide that distributes a uniform light over all the samples held on the reactor. The lightguide of the present optical system has a set of light reflecting structures that are strategically located to uniformly reflect an incoming light towards all the samples held in the PCR reactor that is being tested.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a nucleic acid analyzer which prevents an increase in reagent consumption caused by a branched channel structure and on which multiple kinds of substrates having different channel numbers can be mounted. The nucleic acid analyzer according to the present invention is provided with a first substrate that comprises an inlet section connected to an introduction path, a first outlet section connected to a first discharge path, a second outlet section connected to a second discharge path, a first channel guiding a reagent from the inlet section to the first outlet section, a second channel guiding the reagent from the inlet section to the second outlet section, and a branching section branching, from the inlet section, into the first and second channels, wherein the first and second channels are connected to each other exclusively at the branching portion.

A method and biological sample analyzer is described that adjusts airflow within a housing based upon altitude. A first volume of air is moved by at least one fan within a housing of a biological sample analyzer. A temperature of the first volume of air is measured within the biological sample analyzer with a temperature sensor within the housing of the biological sample. Power output of at least one heater positioned within the housing of the biological sample analyzer is measured. The measured power output of the at least one heater is analyzed at the measured temperature within the biological sample analyzer. And, the fan is adjusted to move a second volume of air different from the first volume of air by comparing the measured power output of the at least one heater and expected power output of the at least one heater.

Systems and a device for a pathogen detection system are described herein. For example, a pathogen detection system may include a pathogen detection device comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a reactive chamber; an imaging system comprising an excitation source and a fluorescence detection system; a substrate; and a heating element. In some examples, the pathogen detection system may be configured to detect one or more pathogens and/or viruses in a sample. For example, the pathogen detection device may receive a solution containing at least one of DNA or RNA and route the solution to the reactive chamber. Upon heating the solution, the pathogen detection device may further receive a probe containing one or more fluorescent dyes. The excitation source may excite the solution, and the detection system may detect an emission of the one or more fluorescent dyes.

A fluidic device holder configured to orient a fluidic device. The device holder includes a support structure configured to receive a fluidic device. The support structure includes a base surface that faces in a direction along the Z-axis and is configured to have the fluidic device positioned thereon. The device holder also includes a plurality of reference surfaces facing in respective directions along an XY-plane. The device holder also includes an alignment assembly having an actuator and a movable locator arm that is operatively coupled to the actuator. The locator arm has an engagement end. The actuator moves the locator arm between retracted and biased positions to move the engagement end away from and toward the reference surfaces. The locator arm is configured to hold the fluidic device against the reference surfaces when the locator arm is in the biased position.

The present disclose provides methods and systems for amplifying and quantifying nucleic acids and for detecting the presence or absence of a target in a sample. The methods and systems provided herein may utilize a device comprising a plurality of partitions separated from an external environment by a gas-permeable barrier. Certain methods disclosed herein involve subjecting nucleic acid molecules in the plurality of partitions to conditions sufficient to conduct nucleic acid amplification reactions. The nucleic acid molecules may be subjected to controlled heating in the plurality of partitions to generate data indicative of a melting point(s) of the nucleic acid molecules.

The invention provides devices for generating pre-templated instant partitions. The devices may include a shearing mechanism, such as a vortexer, a holder for holding a vessel containing a liquid onto the vortexer, and a temperature control unit for modulating a temperature of the vessel by convection. The invention also provides methods of using such devices to process analyte inside the pre-templated instant partitions.

Systems and methods for continuous flow polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are provided. The system comprises an injector, a mixer, a coalescer, a droplet generator, a detector, a digital PCR system, and a controller. The injector takes in a sample, partitions the sample into sample aliquots with the help of an immiscible oil phase, dispenses waste, and sends the sample aliquot to the mixer. The mixer mixes the sample aliquot with a PCR master mix and diluting water, dispenses waste, and sends the sample mixture (separated by an immiscible oil) to the coalescer. The coalescer coalesces the sample mixture with primers dispensed from a cassette, dispenses waste, and sends the reaction mixture (separated by an immiscible oil) to the droplet generator. The droplet generator converts the sample mixture into an emulsion where aqueous droplets of the reaction mixture are maintained inside of an immiscible oil phase and dispenses droplets to the digital PCR system. The digital PCR system amplifies target DNAs in the droplets. The detector detects target DNAs in the droplets. The controller controls the system to run automatically and continuously.

A thermal cycler system for use with a sample holder configured to receive a plurality of samples includes a sample block having an upstanding peripheral side wall and being configured to receive the sample holder and an adaptor having an upstanding peripheral side wall configured to be positioned about the peripheral side wall of the sample block. When the peripheral side wall of the adaptor is positioned about the peripheral side wall of the sample block and the sample holder is received in the sample block, the peripheral side wall of the adaptor extends in an upward direction toward the sample holder.

The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for detecting viruses, e.g., using microfluidic devices. Certain embodiments are generally directed to systems and methods that are able to detect pathogens such as viruses or bacteria by encapsulating a sample in droplets, and applying amplification reagents to the droplets able to amplify nucleic acids therein, e.g., using loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) or other amplification techniques. In addition, some aspects are generally directed to identifying a species in a sample, e.g., at very low concentrations. In some cases, the sample may be broken into droplets, arid the droplets determined to determine the species.