Multi-channel optical detection system

Abstract

An apparatus for thermally controlling and optically interrogating a reaction mixture includes a vessel [ ] having a chamber [ ] for holding the mixture. The apparatus also includes a heat-exchanging module [ ] having a pair of opposing thermal plates [ A, B] for receiving the vessel [ ] between them and for heating/and or cooling the mixture contained in the vessel. The module [ ] also includes optical excitation and detection assemblies [ ] positioned to optically interrogate the mixture. The excitation assembly [ ] includes multiple light sources [ ] and a set of filters for sequentially illuminating labeled analytes in the mixture with excitation beams in multiple excitation wavelength ranges. The detection assembly [ ] includes multiple detectors [ ] and a second set of filters for detecting light emitted from the chamber [ ] in multiple emission wavelength ranges. The optics assemblies [ ] thus provide a multi-channel system for detecting a plurality of different target analytes in the mixture.