Filterless time-domain detection of one or more fluorophores

摘要

A device and method are described in which the lifetime of a fluorescent species or fluorophores is detected in the absence of any optical filter. Based on the measured fluorescent lifetimes, molecules or compounds attached to a fluorophores such as small organic molecules, polymers, peptides, saccharides and nucleic acids can be identified or assayed.

主权项

1. A filterless detection system for fluorescent chemical species, comprising
a light emitting device (LED) configured to emit light at a wavelength in correspondence of an excitation wavelength of a fluorescent chemical species; a photodetector (PD) configured to detect light at a wavelength in correspondence of an emission wavelength of the fluorescent chemical species; a control circuit configured to enable or disable the LED and the PD independently of each other; a signal processing circuit, operatively connected with the PD and configured to generate time varying signals as a function of the output of the PD, the time varying signals being indicative of the fluorescent chemical species; and a sample chamber comprising an array of detection wells, wherein the filterless detection system is devoid of any optical filter elements.