Imaging of Biological Samples

Abstract

A system and method using an electronic light detector array, e.g., a CCD or a CMOS-based detector array, is used to acquire a visual image of a biological sample that includes biological material associated with a biological material holding structure (e.g., a DNA spot array on a DNA chip, protein bands in a 2-D gel, etc.). For example, fluorescence from a biological sample may be detected.

1 - 115 . (canceled)  
     
     
         116 . A system for use in detecting a reaction of a biological sample to light, comprising: 
 a light source and an electronic light detector defining a light path between the light source and the light detector;    a sampler holder to position a biological sample in the light path;    a fiber optic bundle in the light path to carry the light along at least a part of the light path.    
     
     
         117 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein the sample holder defines a plane in which the biological sample is substantially located, with a first side and an opposed second side to the plane, and wherein the light source and the electronic light detector are both located on the first side of the plane.  
     
     
         118 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein the light detector is adapted to sense light of fluorescence from the biological sample.  
     
     
         119 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein the light source comprises a laser.  
     
     
         120 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein light in at least a portion of the light path is coherent light.  
     
     
         121 . The system of  claim 116 , further comprising one or more filters in the light path to permit passage of light in a relatively defined wavelength range.  
     
     
         122 . The system of  claim 121 , wherein the filters comprise one or more polarizing filters.  
     
     
         123 . The system of  claim 116 , further comprising image acquisition software to assemble individual acquired images into a master image of all or a portion of the biological sample.  
     
     
         124 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein the fiber optic bundle comprises a fanout end and a clustered end  
     
     
         125 . The system of  claim 124 , wherein the fiber optic bundle defines a line at the fanout end.  
     
     
         126 . The system of  claim 125 , wherein the line defines a single dimension of optical fiber ends.  
     
     
         127 . The system of claim  115 , wherein the fiber optic bundle forms an angle between the fanout end and the clustered end  
     
     
         128 . The system of  claim 127 , wherein the clustered end generally forms a cylinder whose cross section defines a plane that is parallel with the line defined by the fanout end.  
     
     
         129 . The system of  claim 127 , wherein the fiber optic bundle forms substantially a right angle between the fanout end and the clustered end.  
     
     
         130 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein the light source generates light at a plurality of wavelengths corresponding to markers associated with the biological sample.  
     
     
         131 . The system of  claim 116 , further comprising a master computer to coordinate movement of the sample and operation of the light detector.  
     
     
         132 . The system of  claim 131 , wherein the master computer is configured to compose a complete image from a plurality of sensed portions of the biological material.  
     
     
         133 . The system of  claim 116 , further comprising a light collimator in the light path adjacent the fiber optic bundle.  
     
     
         134 . The system of  claim 116 , further comprising a mapping lens to focus light onto the electronic light detector.  
     
     
         135 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein the electronic light detector comprises a linear light detector array.  
     
     
         136 . The system of  claim 116 , further comprising a light-tight enclosure around the light path.  
     
     
         137 . A method of detecting a reaction of a biological sample to light, comprising: 
 providing a biological sample in a light path between a light source and an electronic light detector,    scanning the biological sample in the light path; and    passing light in the light path through a optical fiber array to produce one or more representations of the scanned biological sample on the electronic light detector.    
     
     
         138 . The system of  claim 137 , wherein the step of scanning the biological sample in the light path comprises scanning the optical fiber array across the biological sample.  
     
     
         139 . The system of  claim 137 , wherein scanning the optical fiber array across the biological sample comprises translating the biological sample past the optical fiber array.  
     
     
         140 . The system of  claim 137 , wherein the optical fiber array comprises a first fanout end and a second clustered end, and wherein the first fanout end is positioned close to the biological sample.  
     
     
         141 . The system of  claim 137 , wherein the step of scanning the biological sample in the light path comprises linearly translating the sample.  
     
     
         142 . The system of  claim 137 , further comprising capturing the light with an electronic light detector.  
     
     
         143 . The system of  claim 142 , further comprising providing a fluorescent tag on a part of the biological sample so that the tag excites and is detected by the electronic light detector when light impinges on the part of the biological sample.  
     
     
         144 . The system of  claim 143 , wherein the fluorescent tag comprises a label on a piece of DNA that is complementary with other DNA in the biological sample.  
     
     
         145 . The system of  claim 137 , wherein the light is generated via fluorescence.  
     
     
         146 . The system of  claim 137 , further comprising rastering a laser across the biological sample.