Methods and apparatus for scanning small sample volumes
First Claim
1. An apparatus for collecting optical data pertaining to one or more characteristics of one or more samples, the apparatus comprising:
- a light source;
a flat substrate having formed therein a plurality of sample wells, each sample well being configured to hold a sample volume of no more than about 50 nanoliters;
one or more illumination optical elements for directing a light beam from the light source onto the sample wells;
one or more collection optical elements for collecting light originating from within the sample wells and transmitting the collected light to one or more detectors.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for assaying biological materials employ multi-well substrates as described herein. The substrates include a plurality of wells, typically each of several nanoliters volume or smaller having consistent dimensions and formed in a rigid substrate such as a glass disk. Each well may be provided with a circumferential lip to minimize crosstalk between wells and/or facilitate optical location of the individual wells during interrogation. Samples are provided to the individual wells and assayed by an optical technique employing fluorescence, polarization, reflectance, or the like. A scanning laser system may be employed for this purpose. The substrate may rotate during the scan to allow consistent interrogation of the wells without stopping and starting the rotation. Multiple rotations may also be employed repeatedly interrogate the samples for use in a kinetic study, for example.
86 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An apparatus for collecting optical data pertaining to one or more characteristics of one or more samples, the apparatus comprising:
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a light source;
a flat substrate having formed therein a plurality of sample wells, each sample well being configured to hold a sample volume of no more than about 50 nanoliters;
one or more illumination optical elements for directing a light beam from the light source onto the sample wells;
one or more collection optical elements for collecting light originating from within the sample wells and transmitting the collected light to one or more detectors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for collecting optical data pertaining to one or more characteristics of one or more samples, comprising:
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providing a flat substrate having formed therein a plurality of sample wells, each sample well being configured to hold a sample volume of no more than about 50 nanoliters;
dispensing one or more samples into the plurality of sample wells;
directing a light beam from a light source onto the sample wells;
collecting light originating from within the sample wells and transmitting the collected light to one or more detectors; and
analyzing the signal from the detectors to detect the one or more characteristics of the one or more samples. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A substrate for holding one or more biological samples in an apparatus for collecting optical data pertaining to one or more characteristics of the biological samples, the substrate comprising:
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a flat transparent glass substrate having formed therein a plurality of sample wells and a set of fiducials against which the location of the sample wells can be determined by the apparatus, wherein each sample well holds a volume of a biological sample of no more than about 50 nanoliters by one or more of;
gravity, capillary action and surface tension,wherein each sample well is surrounded by a lip arranged to prevent cross talk between the sample wells, wherein the substrate areas between the sample wells are coated with a hydrophobic material and the sample wells are hydrophilic; and
a substrate cover that seals edges of the individual sample wells.
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Specification