METHOD, APPARATUS AND FLOW CELL FOR HIGH SENSITIVITY DETECTION OF FLUORESCENT MOLECULES

摘要

Method and apparatus for high-sensitivity fluorescence detection wherein (I) a sample comprising fluorescent molecules is made to flow through a channel structure (1) comprising a constricted region (2) with a dimension corresponding to the size of a tightly focused laser spot and with extremely thin, transparent walls, (II) a laser beam (3) is focused inside the constricted region (2) and thus exciting molecules passing through the constricted region (2), and (III) the fluorescence emitted due to excitation is detected. This enables direct determination of the concentration of a sample without use of internal or external standards. A method for the production of a flow cell for use in said method or apparatus, wherein a part of a channel structure (1) is heated until its melting point is reached, followed by pulling of the structure to lengthen the melted region and make it thinner until it has a dimension corresponding to the size of a tightly focused laser spot at the diffraction limit.