Luminescence reference standards

• US 8,373,854 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2010
• Issued: 02/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Biosystems LLC (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Applied Biosystems LLC (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Inventors: Phillips, J. Michael, Bodner, Kevin S., Lau, Aldrich N. K., Boege, Steven J., Oldham, Mark F., Sandell, Donald R., Tracy, David H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Toatley, Gregory J
• Assistant Examiner(s): VALENTIN II, JUAN D
• Application Number:
  US12/813,389
• Publication Number:
  US 20110085168A1
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 356/246
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 15/00 Nanotechnology for interacting, sensing or actuating, e.g. quantum dots as markers in protein assays or molecular motors
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/10 by comparison with reference light or electric value provisionally void
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/01 Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/278 Constitution of standards
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/4785 Standardising light scatter apparatus; Standards therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6452 Individual samples arranged in a regular 2D-array, e.g. multiwell plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/76 Chemiluminescence; Bioluminescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/06113 Coherent sources; lasers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0612 Laser diodes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/062 LED's
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0691 Modulated (not pulsed supply)
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0697 Pulsed lasers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/943 Information storage or retrieval using nanostructure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/949 Radiation emitter using nanostructure

Abstract

The present teachings provide for systems, and components thereof, for detecting and/or analyzing light. These systems can include, among others, optical reference standards utilizing luminophores, such as nanocrystals, for calibrating, validating, and/or monitoring light-detection systems, before, during, and/or after sample analysis.

Claims

1. A system for biological reactions, comprising:

a sample support configured to support one or more biological samples;

a reference disposed to provide optical access to the one or more biological samples, comprising;

a light-producing element; and

at least one of a spectral filter layer, an intensify filter layer, a subtractive element, or a protective coating layer;

a light source configured to illuminate the one or more biological samples and to illuminate the light producing element through the at least one of a spectral filter layer, an intensity filter layer, a subtractive element, or a protective layer;

a detector configured to receive light from the one or more biological samples and to receive light that is emitted, reflected, or scattered from the light producing element;

an optical system configured to direct light from the biological samples and the light producing element to the detector;

wherein the reference is configured to locate or align at least a portion of the sample support.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a support layer configured to provide structural support for the reference.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the light producing element comprises a layer positioned on the support layer.

4. The system of claim 2, further comprising a mask disposed above the light producing element, wherein the light-producing element and the mask are separated by the at least one of a spectral filter layer, an intensify filter layer, a subtractive element, and a protective coating layer.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a light-blocking element defining a calibration mark on the light-producing element.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the light-blocking element forms a mask.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising an insulator configured to thermally insulate the reference.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the insulator is coupled to the light-blocking element.

9. A method for biological reactions, comprising:

providing a sample support configured to support one or more biological samples;

providing a reference disposed to provide optical access to the one or more biological samples, comprising;

a light-producing element; and

at least one of a spectral filter layer, an intensify filter layer, a subtractive element, or a protective coating layer positioned above the light producing element;

with a light source, illuminating the one or more biological samples; and

illuminating the light producing element through the at least one of a spectral filter layer, an intensity filter layer, a subtractive element, or a protective coating layer;

receiving at a detector at least one of light from the one or more biological samples or light that is emitted, reflected, or scattered from the light producing element;

using an optical system, directing light from at least one of the one or more biological samples or the light producing element to the detector;

based at least in part on the directed light, locating or aligning at least a portion of the sample support.