Systems and methods for performing biological assays

A system for performing a biological assay, the system comprising:

• a. a sample preparation device comprising:
• i. a sample receiving module comprising a fluid container comprising a preparation solution, a first opening, and a second opening;
• ii. a cap removably couplable to the sample receiving module, wherein coupling the cap to the sample receiving module seals the first opening;
• and
• iii. a valve or a breakable seal operatively coupled to the sample receiving module so as to seal the second opening;
• b. an optical property modifying device operatively couplable to the sample preparation device and comprising:
• i. a sample receiving cartridge operatively coupled to the valve or the breakable seal comprising one or more reaction chambers each comprising an optical property modifying reagent;
• ii. a substrate comprising a heating element;
• and
• iii. a first sensor configured to detect the presence and/or absence of liquid in one or more of the reaction chambers and a control unit;
• wherein when the optical property modifying device is operatively coupled to the sample preparation device and the valve is actuated from a sealed to unsealed conformation or the breakable seal is broken, the sample receiving module transmits at least a portion of the preparation solution through the valve or the breakable seal into the one or more reaction chambers, and wherein the first sensor, the control unit, and the heating element are operatively connected such that when liquid enters a reaction chamber, the first sensor senses the liquid and the heating element begins heating the reaction chamber automatically.