A method and an oligonucleotide probe are described for determining the presence or absence of mutant alleles in a genomic locus. The probe binds to different alleles of a target sequence with different melting temperatures (Tm). The method determines the Tm of the probe when it is hybridized to the target sequence ...

We describe a thermal cycler comprising a Peltier type thermoelectric element (36) used for cooling a sample block (34) and a non Peltier type heating device (38) for heating the sample block. The cycler also includes a heat sink (28) connected to the Peltier type element by a heat pipe (40) which permits thermal en...

A method and device for extracting nucleic acids from a biological sample is described. The device includes a substrate , such as a cellulose filter, functionalised with a biocidal agent having multiple functional groups including a binding moiety, which is involved in binding the agent to the substrate; a hydroph...