Method and apparatus for detection of molecular events using temperature control of detection environment

A method for detecting a molecular or cellular event, comprising:

• coupling an electromagnetic test signal in a frequency range from 1 MHz to 1000 GHz to a sample, whereby said sample interacts with and modulates said test signal to produce a modulated test signal;
• detecting the modulated test signal;
• and
• analyzing said modulated test signal to detect a molecular or cellular event,
• wherein said coupling and detecting take place in a temperature-controlled environment, wherein said environment comprises said sample, a radiating portion of a signal-generating circuit, and a receiving portion of a signal-detection circuit and wherein said applying and detecting take place in said environment at a temperature controlled to within +0.5° C. of a desired environmental temperature, wherein the detection of the molecular or cellular event occurs in a region where both the radiating portion of the signal-generating circuit and the receiving portion of the signal-detection circuit are coupled to the sample, thereby defining a detection region.