The present invention relates to an apparatus for nucleic acid amplification and, more particularly, to an apparatus for nucleic acid amplification capable of rapid nucleic acid amplification by rapidly heating and cooling a reactant in a reaction vessel for a chemical/biochemical reaction requiring a temperature change, and a method for temperature control in nucleic acid amplification.

The technology described herein generally relates to systems for extracting polynucleotides from multiple samples, particularly from biological samples, and additionally to systems that subsequently amplify and detect the extracted polynucleotides. The technology more particularly relates to microfluidic systems that carry out PCR on multiple samples of nucleotides of interest within microfluidic channels, and detect those nucleotides. The technology still more particularly relates to automated devices for carrying out pipetting operations, particularly on samples in parallel, consistent with sample preparation and delivery of PCR-ready nucleotide extracts to a cartridge wherein PCR is run.

The invention generally relates to devices and systems for individually barcoding sample vessels. In certain embodiments, the devices comprise an attachment member and an extension member, where the extension member can accommodate an identifier, such as a barcode. When loaded into a substrate, the barcoded vials are scanned by a barcode reader.

A biological analysis system is provided. The system comprises an interchangeable assembly configured to accommodate any one of a plurality of sample holders, each respective sample holder configured to receive a plurality of samples. The system also includes a control system configured to cycle the plurality of samples through a series of temperatures. The system further includes an optical system configured to detect fluorescent signals emitted from the plurality of samples. The optical system, in particular, can comprise a single field lens, an excitation source, an optical sensor, and a plurality of filter components. The excitation source can be one or more light emitting diodes. The field lends can be a bi-convex lens.

A PCR tube holder comprises an elongated strip body having a first portion and a second portion. One or more holes are defined in the first portion of the elongated strip body, the at least one hole configured to receive a single PCR tube. A writable zone in the second portion of the elongated strip body, the writable zone configured to receive ink thereon. A material of the elongated strip body is adapted to retain the ink through a PCR cycle. The material of the elongated strip body has a minimum flexural rigidity such that the elongated strip is adapted to support a PCR tube without folding.

The present invention provides a microplate comprised of multiwell strips connected in such a way as to permit the microplate to unfold and to pass in a linear fashion past a fraction collector and then re-fold back into a microplate configuration. Furthermore, the invention provides for the use of the microplates of the invention in a variety of different laboratory methods.

An incubation device has multiple rocking platforms with each platform pivotally mounted about a respective axis. Each rocking platform has a respective receiving device for mechanically reversibly receiving a respective incubation channel. The device also has a common drive unit for common respective rocking movements of each platform from a zero position through with a specific angle range as a result of movement of the drive unit. Each rocking platform is coupled to the drive unit via a respective coupling mechanism, and each coupling mechanism elastically and resiliently couples the respective rocking platform to the drive unit, such that when the rocking platform is restrained, despite continuation of the drive movement, the rocking platform remains motionless in a fixed position. After release of the restraint on the rocking platform, the rocking platform resumes the rocking movement with the specific angle range.

An elongated incubation trough has an indentation open toward a top end as well as a bottom. The indentation has a first receiving area to receive an elongated test strip as well as a second receiving area to receive an end section of a fluid line. The second receiving area is in fluidic communication with the first receiving area. A maximum width of the second receiving area at bottom height is greater than a maximum width of the first receiving area at bottom height.

A case for containing a plurality of biological samples contains a base, a substrate and a cover. The substrate is attached to the base and comprises a plurality of reaction regions configured to receive one or more biological samples. The cover comprises an inner surface and is configured to be attached to the base such that the base and cover together provide a cavity containing the substrate. The inner surface includes a central area and a recessed area disposed about the central area. The central area is configured to cover the reaction regions, while the recessed area is offset from the central area in a direction normal to the inner surface.