Exhibit 10.43



                    AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE PROMISSORY NOTE

       This  Amendment  No. 1, dated as of August 19, 2002 (this "Amendment No.
1"), is to the Promissory Note, dated as of July 30, 2002, (the "Note") between
Molecular Diagnostics, Inc.,  a  Delaware  corporation (the "Company"), and the
holders of the Notes (the "Investors").

                                  WITNESSETH:

       WHEREAS, the Investors purchased the  Notes  in connection with a bridge
financing that closed June 30, 2002; and

       WHEREAS,  according  to the terms of the Notes,  the  total  outstanding
principal balance and accrued  and  unpaid  interest on the Notes were due July
30, 2002;and

       WHEREAS, pursuant to and in compliance with the provisions of Section 19
of  the  Notes, the Company and the Investors desire  to  amend  the  Notes  as
hereinafter set forth.

       NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the premises and agreements herein
contained, the Company and the Investors agree as follows:

       1.    Section 2 is  amended  by  deleting  the  date "July 30, 2002" and
inserting the new date of "December 31, 2002."

       2.    Section  3 is amended by deleting the parenthetical  phrase  "(not
less than $.50 and not  more  than $1.00)," and to insert the phrase "(not more
than $1.00)."

       3.    Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings given
them in the Notes.

       4.    This Amendment No. 1 may be executed in any number of counterparts
and each of such counterparts shall  for  all  purposes  be  deemed  to  be  an
original,  and  all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the
same instrument.






IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Amendment No. 1 to be duly
executed and attested as of the ____ day of August, 2002.


                                        MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS, INC.



                                        By:   ______________________________
                                              Name:  Peter P. Gombrich
                                              Title: Chief Executive Officer
                                                     and President



                                 INVESTOR:



                                        By:   ______________________________