An instrument configured to manipulate, actuate and/or interact with a series of cartridges to perform a nucleic acid isolation and amplification process on test samples within cartridges (6001, 7001), wherein the instrument comprises at least a frame, a magazine for the cartridges (6001,7001), a first actuator assembly, a sample transfer assembly, a second actuator assembly, a heater assembly and an optics assembly, wherein - the frame is configured to house, contain and/or provide mounting for each of the components and/or assemblies of the instrument, - the first actuator assembly is configured to actuate an actuator or transfer mechanism of an isolation module of a cartridge to convey one or more reagents and/or substances into a lysing chamber within the isolation module; and - the sample transfer assembly is configured to actuate a transfer assembly to transfer a portion of the sample between various chambers and/or volumes within an isolation module, - the second actuator assembly is configured to actuate a mixing mechanism and/or a wash buffer module of the isolation module and/or a PCR module to convey into and/or mix one or more reagents and/or substances within a chamber within the isolation module and/or the PCR module - the heater assembly is configured to heat one or more portions of the cartridge to promote and/or facilitate a process within the cartridge (6001, 7001); - the optics assembly is configured to monitor a reaction occurring with the cartridge, and to detect one or more different analytes and/or targets within a test sample in the cartridge characterized in that - the frame includes a base frame, a front member, two side members and a rear member, wherein the base member supports the functional assemblies and includes six mounting or support legs, wherein each of the side members includes an upper portion and a lower portion and wherein the front member is coupled to each side member and defines an opening within which the magazine containing multiple assay cartridges can be disposed, and - the heater assembly includes a series of receiving blocks, one corresponding to each of the cartridges within the magazine, a positioning assembly, a first heating module, a second heating module and a third heating module, wherein the receiving block is configured to receive at least a portion of a reaction chamber of a cartridge, wherein the receiving block includes a mounting surface and defines a reaction volume, wherein the reaction volume has a size and/or shape that substantially corresponds to a size and/or shape of a PCR vial of the cartridge, the reaction volume defines a longitudinal axis LA and the side wall of the portion of the receiving block that defines the reaction volume has a substantially uniform wall thickness. - the frame is configured to house, contain and/or provide mounting for each of the components and/or assemblies of the instrument, - the first actuator assembly is configured to actuate an actuator or transfer mechanism of an isolation module of a cartridge to convey one or more reagents and/or substances into a lysing chamber within the isolation module; and - the sample transfer assembly is configured to actuate a transfer assembly to transfer a portion of the sample between various chambers and/or volumes within an isolation module, - the second actuator assembly is configured to actuate a mixing mechanism and/or a wash buffer module of the isolation module and/or a PCR module to convey into and/or mix one or more reagents and/or substances within a chamber within the isolation module and/or the PCR module - the heater assembly is configured to heat one or more portions of the cartridge to promote and/or facilitate a process within the cartridge (6001, 7001); - the optics assembly is configured to monitor a reaction occurring with the cartridge, and to detect one or more different analytes and/or targets within a test sample in the cartridge - the frame includes a base frame, a front member, two side members and a rear member, wherein the base member supports the functional assemblies and includes six mounting or support legs, wherein each of the side members includes an upper portion and a lower portion and wherein the front member is coupled to each side member and defines an opening within which the magazine containing multiple assay cartridges can be disposed, and - the heater assembly includes a series of receiving blocks, one corresponding to each of the cartridges within the magazine, a positioning assembly, a first heating module, a second heating module and a third heating module, wherein the receiving block is configured to receive at least a portion of a reaction chamber of a cartridge, wherein the receiving block includes a mounting surface and defines a reaction volume, wherein the reaction volume has a size and/or shape that substantially corresponds to a size and/or shape of a PCR vial of the cartridge, the reaction volume defines a longitudinal axis LA and the side wall of the portion of the receiving block that defines the reaction volume has a substantially uniform wall thickness.