A mains electricity (AC-powered) laboratory instrument intended to amplify target deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA) in a clinical specimen using heat-stable polymerase enzymes and cycles of repeated heating and cooling (i.e., thermal cycling) to replicate a product [i.e., a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)]. Amplified product is detected and/or identified using oligonucleotide markers as it is produced (i.e., in real-time) or at the end-point. The analyser may also isolate, extract and/or prepare nucleic acid from the clinical specimen and/or culture isolate prior to amplification, and operates with minimal technician input and complete automation of all procedural steps.