Assay dispensing apparatus

#The present application is related to the following applications:

#"Methods and Systems for Biological Reagent Placement", having Ser. No. 08/648,635, filed on May 13, 1996;

#"Automated Electrophoresis System and Method", having Ser. No. 08/788,970, MNE00503 filed on Jan. 24, 1997; and

#The invention is pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. However, other aspects of the present invention are disclosed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings in which:

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of an electrophoresis device in accordance with the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an electrophoresis device in accordance with the present invention;

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of an electrophoresis device in accordance with the present invention. The electrophoresis device includes a first plurality of electrophoresis lanes 20 in communication with a first filling region 22. The first filling region 22 is utilized to receive a first sample of molecules for separation in each of the first plurality of electrophoresis lanes 20. The first sample can be separated in the first plurality of electrophoresis lanes 20 using an electrophoresis process, such as a gel electrophoresis process or a capillary electrophoresis process which are known in the art.

#It is noted that the term "sample" in the present application is inclusive of a variety of samples, including but not limited to medical samples, genomic samples, environmental samples, and agricultural samples. Of particular interest is a sample having molecular chains of at least one nucleotide. Here, for example, the sample can include a processed DNA sample or a processed RNA sample from a plant or a living organism, such as a human. In these applications, the sample typically includes a plurality of fragments of DNA or RNA formed using a restriction enzyme.

#Optionally, the molecules in the sample are tagged with a member which can be sensed by a molecular sensor. Such members are commonly referred to in the art as tags, markers, reporters, and labels. Examples of such members include, but are not limited to, radioactive members, optical members (such as fluorescent members, luminescent members, and light-scattering members), charged members, and magnetic members.