Assay apparatuses, methods and reagents

Abstract

We describe apparatuses, systems, method, reagents, and kits for conducting assays as well as process for their preparation. They are particularly well suited for conducting automated sampling, sample preparation, and analysis in a multi-well plate assay format. For example, they may be used for automated analysis of particulates in air and/or liquid samples derived therefrom in environmental monitoring.

1 . An environmental monitoring system comprising a sample collection module fluidically connected to a biological agent detection module, wherein said detection module comprises an integrated pipettor;
 i) a fluidic manifold for receiving and transferring sample to a well of a multi-well assay plate in said system;   (iii) a light detection subsystem for measuring luminescence;   (iv) a liquid handling subsystem; and   (v) a plate handling subsystem.   
     
     
         2 . The environmental monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein said sample collection module processes air samples. 
     
     
         3 . The environmental monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein said sample collection module processes fluid samples. 
     
     
         4 . The environmental monitoring system of  claim 2 , wherein said sample collection module is selected from the group consisting of filter-based collectors, impactors, wetted cyclones, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The environmental monitoring system of  claim 4 , wherein said sample collection module further comprises a component selected from the group consisting of a sonicator, a vortex mixer, a shaker, a simple mixer, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The environmental monitoring system of  claim 3 , wherein said sample collection module concentrates biological agents suspended in a fluid sample by a method selected from the group consisting of filtration, back-filtration, affinity separation, centrifugation, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The environmental monitoring system of  claim 1  further comprising a sample processing module. 
     
     
         8 . The environmental monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein said detection module detects, in parallel, a plurality of different biological agents in a sample. 
     
     
         9 . The environmental monitoring system of  claim 2 , wherein said detection module detects, in parallel, a plurality of different biological agents in a sample. 
     
     
         10 . The environmental monitoring system of  claim 3 , wherein said detection module detects, in parallel, a plurality of different biological agents in a sample. 
     
     
         11 . The environmental monitoring system of  claim 4 , wherein said detection module detects, in parallel, a plurality of different biological agents in a sample. 
     
     
         12 . The environmental monitoring system of  claim 5 , wherein said detection module detects, in parallel, a plurality of different biological agents in a sample. 
     
     
         13 . The environmental monitoring system of  claim 6 , wherein said detection module detects, in parallel, a plurality of different biological agents in a sample. 
     
     
         14 . The environmental monitoring system of  claim 7 , wherein said detection module detects, in parallel, a plurality of different biological agents in a sample.