A cartridge interface module (CIM), configured to engage with a removable microfluidic cartridge in a nucleic acid analyzer system can include a fluidics component, which is configured to initiate and support a liquid extraction of nucleic acids from a biological sample contained in the removable microfluidic cartridge. The CIM also includes a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assembly component which can be configured to initiate and support amplification of the extracted nucleic acids. The CIM may also include a high voltage electrodes component that is configured to initiate and support separation of the amplified nucleic acids into nucleic acid fragments in a separation channel of the removable microfluidic cartridge. The CIM also includes a detection optics component that can be configured to collect, detect, and direct label nucleic acid fragments. The CIM is configured to integrate with a microfluidic chip architecture of an inserted removable microfluidic cartridge.

A system for use in spectral analysis procedures can include a slide and a holder for carrying the slide. The slide includes a substrate forming a plurality of wells that are recessed relative to a surface of the substrate. Each of the wells forms a sample region that is recessed by a sample depth from the surface and a trough region that is recessed by a trough depth from the surface, the trough depth being greater than the sample depth. The holder includes a body defining a cavity between a first side and a second side of the body, a port for receiving the slide into the cavity, one or more first fenestrations on the first side, and one or more second fenestrations on the second side.

A cartridge interface module (CIM), configured to engage with a removable microfluidic cartridge in a nucleic acid analyzer system can include a fluidics component, which is configured to initiate and support a liquid extraction of nucleic acids from a biological sample contained in the removable microfluidic cartridge. The CIM also includes a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assembly component which can be configured to initiate and support amplification of the extracted nucleic acids. The CIM may also include a high voltage electrodes component that is configured to initiate and support separation of the amplified nucleic acids into nucleic acid fragments in a separation channel of the removable microfluidic cartridge. The CIM also includes a detection optics component that can be configured to collect, detect, and direct label nucleic acid fragments. The CIM is configured to integrate with a microfluidic chip architecture of an inserted removable microfluidic cartridge.

The present invention relates to a temperature control system for a microfluidic device. The system allows for non-contact heating by employing an infrared emitter. In some instances, the system can be used in conjunction with a centrifugal microfluidic device. Optionally, a mask can be implemented to provide selective heating of desired assay areas of the device.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for the collection of light scattered from a liquid sample contained within a multiwell plate for which evaporation from the wells is mitigated by the application of a barrier between the liquid sample and the environment. A vertical thermal gradient is applied across the vessel so that condensation is inhibited from forming on the interior surface of the barrier, thus permitting clear illumination of the sample for visual imaging, fluorescence studies and light scattering detection.

The present disclosure provides methods and systems for analyzing nucleic acids and for conducting chemical and/or biological reactions.

The invention concerns a method for spatially manipulating at least one particle in a fluid, wherein the particle or the particles is/are spatially manipulated in the fluid by hydrodynamic flows which are generated in the fluid by means of dynamic localized heating of the fluid. The method according to the invention is characterized in that at least one target spatial configuration of the particle(s) in the fluid is defined and that the following further steps are carried out: a) an actual spatial configuration of the particle(s) is captured, b) a specific dynamic localized heating event to be applied to the fluid is determined in dependence of at least one recent actual spatial configuration of the particle(s) and a target configuration of the particle(s), c) the specific dynamic localized heating as determined in step c) is applied at least once to the fluid and d) at least one or all of the steps a) to c) are repeated. The invention concerns furthermore an apparatus for spatially manipulating at least one particle in a fluid by means of hydrodynamic flows a computer program product and a computer-readable storage medium.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for the collection of light scattered from a liquid sample contained within a multiwell plate for which evaporation from the wells is mitigated by the application of a barrier between the liquid sample and the environment. A vertical thermal gradient is applied across the vessel so that condensation is inhibited from forming on the interior surface of the barrier, thus permitting clear illumination of the sample for visual imaging, fluorescence studies and light scattering detection.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for the collection of light scattered from a liquid sample contained within a multiwell plate for which evaporation from the wells is mitigated by the application of a barrier between the liquid sample and the environment. A vertical thermal gradient is applied across the vessel so that condensation is inhibited from forming on the interior surface of the barrier, thus permitting clear illumination of the sample for visual imaging, fluorescence studies and light scattering detection.

The invention concerns a method for measuring a force on at least one particle in a fluid wherein an inhomogeneous field of hydrodynamic flows is generated in a fluid by specific dynamic localized heating events, the particle is spatially manipulated by the hydrodynamic flows, a spatial configuration of the particle(s) within the fluid is captured and at least one force acting on the particle(s) is determined by evaluating the captured spatial configuration of the particle(s). The invention concerns furthermore an apparatus for measuring a force on at least one particle in a fluid, a computer program product, and a computer-readable storage medium.