The present invention provides methods for rapid and efficient isolation and characterization of nucleic acid, particularly RNA, from small volume and self-collected samples, particularly saliva samples, to determine the presence or absence of infectious agent RNA, particularly viral RNA, particularly infectious viral RNA, particularly coronavirus. The invention provides methods for isolation and evaluation of infectious agent RNA from saliva samples, particularly viral agents, particularly coronavirus. The invention further provides methods and strategies for pooling samples and RNA to determine the presence or absence of infectious agent RNA, particularly viral RNA, particularly infectious viral RNA, particularly coronavirus, with regard to large numbers of samples at one time and in a single pooled test format.

A closure and a container assembly are disclosed. The closure includes a first visual identifier and a second visual identifier, wherein the second visual identifier is different from the first visual identifier. The first visual identifier may be a first color, and the second visual identifier may be a second color. At least one of the first and/or second visual identifier may include a fluorescent compound having a characteristic fluorescent spectra. The first visual identifier and the second visual identifier may be provided on the annular skirt of the closure. The fluorescent compound may be provided on at least one of the closure and the container assembly and can be used to facilitate automated visualization of the fluorescent compound under fluorescence excitation light.

An embodiment of a system includes a compartment-generating device, a compartment detector, and electronic computing circuitry. The device is configured to generate compartments of a digital assay, at least one of the compartments having a respective volume that is different from a respective volume of each of at least another one of the compartments. The detector is configured to determine a number of the compartments each having a respective number of a target that is greater than a threshold number of the target. And the electronic circuitry is configured to determine a bulk concentration of the target in a source of the sample in response to the determined number of compartments. Because such a system can be configured to estimate a bulk concentration of a target in a source from a polydisperse digital assay, the system can be portable, and lower-cost and faster, than conventional systems.

Provided herein is a method for isolating high molecular weight (HMW) DNA using beads that are at least 200 μm in diameter that utilizes a device for retaining the beads and where the purified DNA eluant exits the device without shearing the HMW DNA. In some embodiments, the method comprises precipitating the DNA onto the beads, washing the beads in the device, and then eluting the DNA from the beads therein while substantially avoiding shear. Compositions and kits for practicing the method are also provided.

An improved biological sample preparation device and method of using the device, the device including a squeezable tube and a tip assembled to the squeezable tube. The tip includes a filter and a wick configured to enable controlled delivery to a diagnostic device by capillary action. The device provides precise and repeatable sample volume dispensing control, reduces potential contamination in the working environment, increases ease of use, and improves safety for healthcare workers.

Sampling systems and techniques that increase pickup efficiency and shedding efficiency of an analyst of interest collected from a surface are provided. In one aspect, an absorbent swab collects an analyte of interest, such as a hazardous contaminant, from a test area demarcated by a template. The sampling techniques can include swab speed and force protocols specifying how fast and how hard the user should apply the swab across the surface to improve pickup efficiency. The sampling techniques can include instructions for inverting a container enclosing the swab and collected contaminant to improve shedding efficiency from the swab.

A separation container for extracting a portion of a sample for use or testing and method for preparing samples for downstream use or testing are provided. The separation container may include a body defining an internal chamber. The body may define an opening, and the body may be configured to receive the sample within the internal chamber. The separation container may further include a seal disposed across the opening, such that the seal may be configured to seal the opening of the body, and a plunger movably disposed at least partially inside the internal chamber. The plunger may be configured to be actuated to open the seal and express the portion of the sample.

A specimen-preserving implement including, a medium-containing section capable of accommodating a medium holding a specimen, a degradation inhibitor in liquid form that inhibits degradation of a sample to be tested contained in the specimen, an agent holder capable of being impregnated with the degradation inhibitor, and a containing section of a desiccant. The degradation inhibitor transfers to the medium by placing the medium in the medium-containing section in a state in which the agent holder is impregnated with the degradation inhibitor, and the desiccant is enabled to absorb humidity released from the degradation inhibitor without directly contacting the agent holder in a state in which the medium is accommodated in the medium-containing section.

A sample vessel includes a biological sample container and a sample stabilizer container. The biological sample container is configured to receive a biological sample and to store the biological sample. The sample stabilizer container is configured to contain a stabilizer associated with the biological sample. The sample stabilizer container is assembled from a stabilizer vial, an adaptor, and a fluid channel. The stabilizer vial is configured to store an amount of the stabilizer. The adaptor is configured to secure the biological sample container and the stabilizer vial such that the biological sample container and the stabilizer vial form the sample vessel. The fluid channel extends through the adaptor from the stabilizer vial to the biological sample container, the biological sample moving from the biological sample container into the stabilizer vial through the fluid channel.