EXHIBIT 5.1

                                September , 2002

Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.
414 North Orleans Street
Suite 510
Chicago, Illinois 60610

                         Re: MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

    We have acted as counsel to Molecular Diagnostics, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the preparation and filing by
the Company of a registration statement on Form S-2 (the "Registration
Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
pursuant to which the Company is registering 5,945,000 shares of the Company's
common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the "Common Stock") for resale to the
public. The Common Stock, if and when sold, will be sold by certain shareholders
of the Company. This opinion is being rendered in connection with the filing of
the Registration Statement.

    In connection with the foregoing, we have made such examination as we have
deemed necessary for the purpose of this opinion. Based upon such examination it
is our opinion that, when the Registration Statement has become effective under
the Securities Act, and when the Common Stock included therein has been
qualified as required under the laws of those jurisdictions in which they are to
be issued and when the Common Stock included therein has been sold, issued and
paid for in the manner described in the Registration Statement, the Common Stock
will have been validly issued and will be fully paid and non-assessable.

    We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to our name under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement.



                                    Very truly yours,

                                                  /s/
                                    ------------------------------------------
                                                  Robert J. Minkus



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