Applied Biosystems, LLC

Applera Corporation

Life Technologies Corporation

Howard Greg King

Mark F Oldham

Steven J Boege

Eugene F Young

Johannes P Sluis

Douwe D Haga

Tracy L Ferea

Jon A Hoshizaki

Patrick D Kinney

David Cox

Michael C Pallas

Albert L Carrillo

Matthew Chan

Marc Haberstroh

Mark Naley

Maryam Shariati

Joe Lee

An apparatus and method are provided for differentiating multiple detectable signals by excitation wavelength. The apparatus can include a light source that can emit respective excitation light wavelengths or wavelength ranges towards a sample in a sample retaining region, for example, in a well. The sample can contain two or more detectable markers, for example, fluorescent dyes, each of which can be capable of generating increased detectable emissions when excited in the presence of a target component. The detectable markers can have excitation wavelength ranges and/or emission wavelength ranges that overlap with the ranges of the other detectable markers. A detector can be arranged for detecting an emission wavelength or wavelength range emitted from a first marker within the overlapping wavelength range of at least one of the other markers.

Apparatus and method for differentiating multiple fluorescence signals by excitation wavelength

Various embodiments of a sequencing system capable of rapidly imaging samples at multiple wavelengths are provided herein. In one embodiment, the system includes a fast-indexing filter wheel having a plurality of excitation and emission filters capable of being rapidly rotated into and out of communication with an excitation source (e.g., an arc lamp, a laser. For example, the filter wheel can be configured to index in an amount of time falling within a range of about 40 ms to about 60 ms, preferably 50 ms. The system can also be configured to account for vibrations resulting from the quick starts and stops of the fast-indexing filter wheel as well as vibrations resulting from other sources. Various methods of rapidly imaging a sample at multiple wavelengths are also provided herein.

Fast-indexing filter wheel and method of use

An optical instrument is provided for simultaneously illuminating two or more spaced-apart reaction regions with excitation beams generated by a light source. The light source can include an area light array of light emitting diodes, one or more solid state lasers, one or more micro-wire lasers, or a combination thereof. According to various embodiments, a Fresnel lens can be disposed along a beam bath between the light source and the reaction regions. Methods of analysis using the optical instrument are also provided.

Optical instrument including excitation source

An optical system includes a sample substrate having a surface, the surface defining a 2-dimensional sample plane. The system includes an excitation source configured to provide excitation light to the sample substrate. The system further includes an optical detector configured to receive emission light from the sample substrate and generate detection data. The system also includes a scan head configured at least (i) to direct the excitation light towards the sample substrate, (ii) to receive emission light from the sample substrate and direct the emission light towards the optical detector, and (iii) for scanning relative to the sample substrate. The system includes at least one actuator configured to scan the scan head relative to the sample substrate, the at least one actuator being configured to provide at least one of (1) a relative linear motion and a relative angular motion about a rotational axis generally perpendicular to the sample plane and (2) two relative angular motions about two respectively different rotational axes generally perpendicular to the sample plane.

Optical scanning configurations, systems, and methods involving at least one actuator for scanning a scan head

An apparatus for imaging an array of a plurality of features associated with a sample tile. The apparatus includes a stage that supports the sample tile in an illumination region, and an illumination source having a plurality of LEDs adapted to emit light. At least a portion of the light illuminates the illumination region. Additionally, the apparatus includes an image collecting device adapted to selectively collect images of a signal.

Combination reader

Methods, software, and apparatus for focusing an image in biological instrument are disclosed. Focusing elements are moved to various focus positions within a focus element travel range, and sample images are captured at the various focus positions. The sample images are resolved into subregions and an optimal focus position is determined based on the image intensity statistical dispersions within the identified subregions.

Methods, software, and apparatus for focusing an optical system using computer image analysis

Systems and methods for detecting fluorescent light by providing a filter assembly including an excitation filter and an emission filter.

Excitation and emission filter

An apparatus for imaging an array of a plurality of features associated with a sample tile. The apparatus can comprise a stage that supports the sample tile in an illumination region, and an illumination source having a plurality of LEDs adapted to emit light. At least a portion of the light can illuminate the illumination region. Additionally, the apparatus can comprise an image collecting device adapted to selectively collect images of either a first signal when the illumination source is illuminating the illumination region, or a second signal absent illumination of the illumination region. The first signal can have wavelengths effectively different from the wavelengths of the portion of the light emitted by the LEDs that illuminates the illumination region.

Array imaging system

An apparatus for imaging an array of a plurality of features associated with a sample tile. The apparatus includes a stage that supports the sample tile in an illumination region, and an illumination source having a plurality of LEDs adapted to emit light. At least a portion of the light illuminates the illumination region. Additionally, the apparatus includes an image collecting device adapted to selectively collect images of either a first signal when the illumination source is illuminating the illumination region, or a second signal absent illumination of the illumination region. The first signal has wavelengths effectively different from the wavelengths of the portion of the light emitted by the LEDs that illuminates the illumination region.

Growing community of inventors

Berkeley, CA, United States of America

Howard Greg King