Apparatus (2) for testing a liquid specimen (4), which apparatus (2) comprises: (i) a collection container (6) for collecting the liquid 2 specimen (4); () a test container (8) for testing the liquid specimen (4); (Hi) response portions (10) which are in the test container (8) and which are for responding to contact with the liquid specimen (4) to give at least one test result; and (iv) transfer means (12) which enables the collection container (6) to be connected to the test container (8) for transferring the liquid specimen (4) from the collection container (6) to the test container (8) such that the liquid specimen (4) is able to contact the response portions (10) in the test container (8) and enable the response portions (10) to react to the liquid specimen (4) for the testing and characterised in that: (V) the apparatus (2) is such that liquid specimen (4) is transferred from the collection container (6) to the test container (8) by suction; and (vi) the apparatus (2) is such that the liquid specimen (4) that is transferred to the test container (8) remains in the test container (8).

Systems and methods of the present disclosure enable automated nucleic acid extraction using components including a rotating platform and a magnetic extractor. A controller controls the components to identify a program associated with a well plate kit based on a well plate kit indicator, where each well plate in the well plate kit is associated with a step for extracting nucleic acid from a sample, and each well plate is loaded with a particular substance for processing each step. Positions on the rotating platform associated with each well plate in the well plate kit are determined. Using the positions and the program, the controller performs each step by determining a particular position for particular well plate of a particular step, controlling the rotating platform to position the particular well plate under the magnetic extractor, and controlling magnetic rods of the magnetic extractor according to the program.

Naturally occurring RNA pseudoknots fold into many topologies, yet their formation is poorly understood. Herein, by using high-resolution single-molecule force spectroscopy, the folding pathways of the H-type pseudoknot found in the preQ.sub.1-riboswitch in B. subtilis were investigated By holding a single riboswitch RNA molecule in the optical-trap, the structural rearrangements as the end-to-end distance change along the pulling direction, x at a force, F were followed. The data reveal a multistate folding, wherein the intermediate hairpin undergoes a unidirectional conformational switching in the presence of ligand to form the pseudoknot receptor. Specifically-designed mutant RNAs resisted the switching mechanism and resulted in a significantly reduced pseudoknot population (4.5%) compared to the wild-type (100%). The free-energy landscape highlighted two kinetic barriers (G.sup.) that interrupt the folding pathway. By coupling the exothermic ligand-binding reaction (G.sub.binding=16 kT) to the folding events, the nascent transcript ensures successful barrier crossing, thus favoring the pseudoknot conformation.

In order for it to be possible for the user of a manual metering apparatus (1) to be provided with different options for adjusting a manual metering apparatus (1), in particular a pipette, the manual metering apparatus (1) according to the invention is proposed, in the case of which the operating element (5) for operating the volume adjusting mechanism (3) of the manual metering apparatus (1) is constructed in two pieces and comprises a display adjusting element (7) which is connected to the volume display (4) of the manual metering apparatus (1), and the volume adjusting element (8) which is connected to the volume adjusting mechanism (3) of the manual metering apparatus (1). The display adjusting element (7) and the volume adjusting element (8) are connected to one another via the releasable coupling (9), with the result that a volume adjustment leads to a corresponding adjustment of the volume display and vice versa, as long as the coupling (9) is closed. If the coupling (9) is released, the display adjusting element (7) and the volume adjusting element (8) can be adjusted or actuated independently from one another in order to adjust the manual metering apparatus (1) (FIG. 5).

A device for taking and optionally processing a sample, includes (i) a housing containing a porous matrix that can receive the sample, (ii) a stopper that can be connected to the housing in a tight manner and including a piston that ensures the tight closing of the housing, compressing the porous matrix or the sample, and (iii) a storage receptacle that can be connected to the housing, can receive the sample that has passed through the porous matrix, and includes at least one conduit connecting the inside of the receptacle to the outside, once the porous matrix or the sample is compressed. The device also includes a seal between the stopper and the storage receptacle. The stopper closes the storage receptacle in a tight manner when the stopper and the storage receptacle are connected to the housing.

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.

A pipette controller for aspirating and dispensing multiple aliquots of a fluid from a reservoir of fluid. The pipette controller can include a pipette holder adapted to operatively connect a pipette to the pipette holder; a pump having a vacuum port and a pressure port, the pump pneumatically connected to the pipette holder; an aspirate valve that controls airflow between the vacuum port and the pipette holder; a dispense valve that controls airflow between the pressure port and the pipette holder; a piston chamber; an aliquot dispense pump including a piston having a shaft that extends into the piston chamber, the shaft defining a stroke length; and an aliquot check valve that connects the pipette holder and the aliquot dispense pump; wherein the aliquot valve opens to allow airflow into the pipette holder upon engagement of the aliquot dispense valve. The pipette controller can also include a piston pump pneumatically connected to the pipette holder configured to deliver a bolus of air to the pipette holder.

A system for the separation and detection of inorganic anions in a sample, the system comprising: a separation channel with an inner coating of three or more alternating layers of a cationic polymer (e.g. hexadimethine bromide) and an anionic polymer (e.g. polystyrene sulfonate), wherein the first layer and the final layer are cationic polymer layers; a detector for detecting inorganic anions that pass through a detection zone of the separation channel; an injection system for injecting fluids including sample solutions and background electrolyte into an inlet end of the separation channel; wherein the background electrolyte comprises polyethyleneimine. Also described are corresponding methods, separation capillaries and cartridges for use in the system.

A system for analysis of biopsy samples includes a tissue sample transport mechanism linking a biopsy sample excision tool to a tissue sample holder disposed in a staging area of an analysis unit. The tissue sample is automatically transported from the excision tool to the specimen holder, where the tissue sample is analyzed in the staging area of the analysis unit. The transport mechanism may include tubing and a vacuum source. The tissue sample holder may be configured to slow or temporarily stop a tissue sample for individual analysis, or collect multiple tissue samples for analysis as a group. A tissue sample sorting mechanism may be employed that allows separation of specimens that can be correlated to the analysis.

A point-of-care diagnostic system that includes a cartridge and a reader. The cartridge can contain a patient sample, such as a blood sample. The cartridge is inserted into the reader and the patient sample is analyzed. The reader contains various analysis systems, such as an electrophoresis detection system that uses electrophoresis testing to identify and quantify various components of the blood sample. The reader can process data from the various patient sample analysis to provide interpretative results indicative of a disorder, condition, disease and/or infection of the patient.