A holder for reagents, such as may be used for transporting the reagents and for carrying out processing operations on biological samples with the reagents. The holders typically hold reagents for amplifying polynucleotides extracted from the samples. The holder comprises a connecting member; a process tube affixed to the connecting member and having an aperture located in the connecting member; at least one socket, located in the connecting member, and configured to accept a pipette tip; two or more reagent tubes disposed on the underside of the connecting member, each having an inlet aperture located in the connecting member; and one or more receptacles, located in the connecting member and each being configured to receive a reagent tube. Also described are reagent tubes configured with stellated shaped patterns, on their bottom interior surfaces, configured to facilitate complete or near-complete withdrawal of fluid from the tube, via a pipette tip.

An embodiment of a micro-electro-mechanical system of the MEMS type comprising at least one micro-electro-mechanical device of the MEMS type and one junction with a duct suitable to being associated with an external apparatus. Said junction being a printed circuit board PCB comprising at least two layers with juxtaposed faces, a channel being present in at least one face of at least one of said at least two layers suitable for realizing the duct with the juxtaposition of the other face of at least another one of at least two layers.

Described is a system for the stabilization, conservation and storage of a nucleic acid, wherein the system comprises a test tube and a preferably freeze-dried stabilization mixture. Upon addition of a viscous bodily fluid to the mixture, the mixture dissolves and stabilizes the nucleic acid present in the bodily fluid.