초록 ▼

Fluorescently marked targets bind to a substrate 230 synthesized with polymer sequences at known locations. The targets are detected by exposing selected regions of the substrate 230 to light from a light source 100 and detecting the photons from the light fluoresced therefrom, and repeating the ste

Fluorescently marked targets bind to a substrate 230 synthesized with polymer sequences at known locations. The targets are detected by exposing selected regions of the substrate 230 to light from a light source 100 and detecting the photons from the light fluoresced therefrom, and repeating the steps of exposure and detection until the substrate 230 is completely examined. The resulting data can be used to determine binding affinity of the targets to specific polymer sequences.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for detecting fluorescently marked regions on a first surface of a substrate, said apparatus comprising: an excitation light source; an optical train for directing an excitation light from said excitation light source at said substrate, and separating reflected excitation light from sai

An apparatus for detecting fluorescently marked regions on a first surface of a substrate, said apparatus comprising: an excitation light source; an optical train for directing an excitation light from said excitation light source at said substrate, and separating reflected excitation light from said first surface from fluoresced light from said first surface, said optical train comprising a spatial filter having a first lens and a second lens and a confocal pinhole located between said first lens and said second lens, a beam splitter cube, and a dichroic mirror for passing light having a wavelength of about said fluoresced light and reflecting light having a wavelength of about said excitation light, an optical lens and a microscope objective for directing said light at said substrate; a focusing system for determining a focal plane of said excitation light passing through said optical train, said focusing means providing data for locating said first surface at said focal plane; a detector for detecting said fluoresced light from said fluorescently marked regions in response to said light; an x-y-z translation system for translating said substrate from a first position to a second position; a flow cell mounted on said translation system, said flow cell comprising a mounting surface with a cavity therein, said mounting surface including a means for mounting said substrate thereon, and maintaining a sealed relationship with said substrate, whereby said first surface of said substrate is in fluid communication with said cavity, said cavity having an inlet and an outlet, and said inlet being connected to a pump for transferring materials into said cavity through said inlet and out of said cavity through said outlet; and a storage system for storing a set of values representing an intensity of said fluoresced light as a function of the location on said substrate fluorescing said fluoresced light.