In one aspect, a thermal cycler system including a sample block and a thermoelectric device is disclosed. In various embodiments, the sample block has a first surface configured to receive a plurality of reaction vessels and an opposing second surface. In various embodiments the thermoelectric device is operably coupled to the second surface of the sample block. In various embodiments a thermal control unit is provided. In various embodiments the thermal control unit includes a computer processing unit. In various embodiments the thermal control unit includes an electrical current source. In various embodiments the thermal control unit also includes an electrical interface portion configured to connect the thermoelectric device with the electrical current source by way of an electrical cable. In various embodiments the thermal control unit is oriented in a different plane than the sample block and thermoelectric cooler.

A sample storage including a frame and an array of sample container holding areas disposed within the frame where a spacing between adjacent sample container holding areas is independent of a gripping area for sample containers held by the sample storage.

Toward forming a single hybrid biosensing-imaging system that can operate inside an incubator, structures and methods are directed to placing modular and removable biosensors and biocompatible interfaces in 3D transparent test wells that contain biological samples. The technology enables continuous monitoring of multiple simultaneous parameters and functions of a living cell or cell clusters such as alterations of cellular ligands, physicochemical biomarkers, phenotypes, and/or extracellular compositions upon interactions with analytes or during progressions. Methods of capturing and analyzing direct orthogonal information from biological samples in 2D and 3D, which are conducive to generating new insights are presented.

Sampling systems that include an absorbent material a preservative, such as an analyte preservative, as well as related materials and methods, are disclosed.

The present invention provides devices, systems, and methods for rapid and easy-to-use in sample thermal cycling or temperature changes for the facilitation of reactions such as but not limited to PCR.

Fluidic systems including cartridges comprising vessels, microfluidic channels and related methods for performing chemical and/or biological analyses are generally provided. The systems described herein include, according to certain embodiments, a cartridge comprising a vessel adapted and arranged to contain a fluid and/or reagent for performing a chemical and/or biological analysis. The vessel may be designed to have a particular shape or configuration, such as a tapered cross-sectional shape, e.g., to facilitate manipulation of a fluid and/or reagent within the vessel (e.g., a lyosphere).

The present invention provides a thermal cycler capable of rapidly and efficiently heating and cooling a reaction liquid. The thermal cycler according to the present invention comprises: a temperature control block where a reaction vessel can be installed, a thermoelectric conversion unit capable of heating and cooling, a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the temperature control block, an insulating substrate that is in contact at one surface with the thermoelectric conversion unit, and a heat radiating unit that is provided on the other surface of the insulating substrate and serves for discharging the heat of the thermoelectric conversion unit to the outside, wherein the temperature control block is heated and cooled by controlling a current or voltage supplied to the thermoelectric conversion unit on the basis of the temperature of the temperature adjustment block measured by the temperature sensor.

A sample holder is provided. The sample holder includes a first member including a first retaining mechanism configured to retain a first substrate comprising a sample. The first retaining mechanism configured to retain the first substrate disposed in a first plane. The sample holder further includes a second member including a second retaining mechanism configured to retain a second substrate including a reagent medium disposed in a second plane. The sample holder further includes an alignment mechanism connected to one or both of the first member and the second member. The alignment mechanism configured to align the first and second members along the first plane and/or the second plane such that the sample contacts at least a portion of the reagent medium when the first and second members are aligned and within a threshold distance along an axis orthogonal to the second plane.

A collecting apparatus for bacteria includes: a laser beam source configured to emit a laser beam; and a container configured to hold a dispersion liquid in which a plurality of bacteria are dispersed. The container has a bottom surface and an inner side surface. A thin film for converting the laser beam from the laser beam source into heat is formed on the bottom surface. At the inner side surface, immersion wetting occurs by the dispersion liquid when the inner side surface comes into contact with the dispersion liquid. The thin film is configured to produce a thermal convection in the dispersion liquid by heating the dispersion liquid. The inner side surface is configured to produce a Marangoni convection at a gas-liquid interface as an interface between the dispersion liquid and gas around the dispersion liquid.

The present invention is generally related to a sample tray for holding a sample of a material ready for a calorimetric or a thermoanalytical investigation and to an apparatus for a calorimetric or a thermoanalytical investigation comprising a calorimetric or a thermoanalytical measuring apparatus and said sample tray associated therewith. The sample tray includes a receptacle adapted to enclose an inner tray space for accommodating the sample and a heat transport means for causing heat to flow between the inner tray space and an outer side of the receptacle.