System for processing contents of a receptacle to detect an optical signal emitted by the contents

A system for processing the contents of a plurality of receptacles to detect an optical signal, if any, emitted by the contents of each receptacle, the system comprising:

• an incubator including a temperature-controlled chamber configured to receive a plurality of receptacles;
• at least one signal detector configured to detect an optical signal, if any, emitted by the contents of a receptacle disposed within said chamber in an operative position with respect to the signal detector;
• a receptacle carrier disposed within said chamber and comprising one or more receptacle stations, wherein each receptacle station is configured to hold a plurality of receptacles arranged in an aligned configuration;
• and
• at least one magnet holder attached to the receptacle carrier and holding a plurality of magnets in a fixed position adjacent to an associated receptacle station so as to expose the contents of each of the receptacles carried in the associated receptacle station to a magnetic field of at least one of the magnets when the receptacles are in the operative position with respect to said signal detector, and wherein said receptacle carrier, including said one or more receptacle stations, said magnet holder, and said magnets, is automatically moveable relative to said at least one signal detector.