| abstract |
A sealable container for holding an analytical sample for processing is disclosed. The container includes a body with a dispensing port and an insert member with an outlet port slidably received in the body. The insert member and the body are movable relative to each other between a first position, in which the outlet port is substantially aligned with the dispensing port, and a second position, in which the outlet port is substantially out of alignment with the dispensing port. Sealing between the insert member and the body, which may take the form of O-rings, provide a substantially airtight, hermetic seal between a reaction chamber formed in the insert member and the body so that the reaction chamber can be sealed or isolated from the outside environment. The container is particularly adapted to contain the processes of nucleic acid amplification and to thereby reduce the problems of sample cross-contamination encountered in such processes. A method of processing an analytical sample using such a container is also disclosed. |