Abstract:
The present teachings relate to a method and system for normalizing spectra across multiple instruments. The method (800) comprises at least one reference instrument and a test instrument. Each instrument comprises at least one excitation filter and at least one emission filter arranged in pairs. Each instrument further comprises a pure dye plate comprising a plurality of wells. Each well contains a plurality of dyes where each dye comprises a fluorescent component. Fluorescent spectra are obtained from each instrument (805, 820) for each dye across multiple filter combinations to contribute to a pure dye matrix Mref for the reference instrument and pure dye matrix M for the test instrument. The pure dye spectra can then be multiplied by correction factors (840) for each filter pair to result in corrected pure dye spectra, then normalized (845) and the multicomponenting data can be extracted (850).
Abstract:
An instrument for processing and/or measuring a biological process contains a sample processing system, an excitation source, an excitation optical system, an optical sensor, and an emission optical system. The sample processing system is configured to retain a first sample holder and a second sample holder, wherein the number of sample cells is different for each sample holder or a characteristic dimension for the first sample cells is different from that of the second sample holder. The instrument also includes an excitation source temperature controller comprising a temperature sensor that is coupled to the excitation source. The temperature controller is configured to produce a first target temperature when the first sample holder is retained by the instrument and to produce a second target temperature when the second sample holder is retained by the instrument.
Abstract:
A computer-implemented method for designing a digital PCR (dPCR) experiment is provided. The method includes receiving, from a user, a selection of optimization type. The optimization type may be maximizing the dynamic range, minimizing the number of substrates including reaction sites needed for the experiment, determining a dilution factor, or determining the lower limit of detection, for example. The method further includes receiving, from the user, a precision measure for an experiment, and a minimum concentration of a target in a reaction site for the experiment. The method also includes determining a set of dPCR experiment design factors for the experiment based on the optimization type. The set of dPCR experiment design factors is then displayed to the user.
Abstract:
Embodiments implementing selected automated quality control operations in sample processing instruments and systems are disclosed. Embodiments for implementing automated correction of spectral error in such instruments and systems are also disclosed. These and other embodiments are further disclosed herein.
Abstract:
A computer-implemented method (500) for calibrating a fluorescent dye is described. The method (500) comprises imaging a sample holder, loaded into an instrument, at more than one channel. The sample holder comprises a plurality of reaction sites and more than one dye type, with each dye occupying more than one reaction site. The method further comprises identifying a peak channel for each dye on the sample holder (508), normalizing each channel to the peak channel for each dye (510), and producing a dye matrix (518) that comprises a set of dye reference values.
Abstract:
A method for analyzing biological reaction systems is provided. The method includes receiving an image of a substrate including a plurality of reaction sites after a biological reaction has taken place. Next, the method includes removing a noise background from the first image. The method includes determining an initial position of each reaction site based on an intensity threshold to generate a initial position set, then refining the initial position set of each reaction site based on an expected pattern of locations of the plurality of reaction sites to generate a first refined position set. The method further includes determining a presence or absence of a fluorescent emission from each reaction site based on the first refined position set and the first image.
Abstract:
A biological analysis system and an associated method are provided. The method is used for recovering off scale data in an image produced by a camera in a capillary electrophoresis instrument. The method comprises the steps of identifying bins of the image where electron counts exceed a maximum number of counts; setting an off-scale flag for the identified bins; and processing the image to obtain a recovered dye signal, based on the flag set for each bin, and using a dye matrix.
Abstract:
Embodiments implementing selected automated quality control operations in sample processing instruments that analyze dye-labeled samples are disclosed. In some embodiments, temperature and/or pressure parameters are measured and compared to thresholds to determine whether warning should be provided and/or actions taken. Embodiments for implementing automated correction of spectral error during the instrument's normal runtime operation without requiring the user to conduct a special, separate calibration run are also disclosed.
Abstract:
In one exemplary embodiment, a method for calibrating an instrument is provided. The instrument includes an optical system capable of imaging florescence emission from a plurality of reaction sites. The method includes performing a region-of-interest (ROI) calibration to determine reaction site positions in an image. The method further includes performing a pure dye calibration to determine the contribution of a fluorescent dye used in each reaction site by comparing a raw spectrum of the fluorescent dye to a pure spectrum calibration data of the fluorescent dye. The method further includes performing an instrument normalization calibration to determine a filter normalization factor. The method includes performing an RNase P validation to validate the instrument is capable of distinguishing between two different quantities of sample.
Abstract:
A biological analysis system is provided. The system comprises a sample block assembly. The sample block assembly comprises a sample block configured to accommodate a sample holder, the sample holder configured to receive a plurality of samples. The system also comprises a control system configured to cycle the plurality of samples through a series of temperatures. The system further comprises an automated tray comprising a slide assembly, the tray configured to reversibly slide the sample block assembly from a closed to an open position to allow user access to the plurality of sample holders.