A mains electricity (AC-powered) laboratory instrument intended to be used for the in vitro determination of multiple target analytes in a single clinical specimen using oligonucleotide capture molecules arranged in a consistent pattern on a slide, chip or membrane. Identification of a target sequence in the clinical specimen is by hybridization of complementary base pairs, with a detection system typically using fluorophores, fluorescent-labelled dyes, and/or digital imaging techniques. The device operates with reduced technician involvement and automation of some, but not all, procedural steps.