Systems and methods for monitoring the amplification of dna

Abstract

A system and method for amplifying and detecting nucleic acids are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes: a microfluidic device comprising a channel for receiving a sample of solution containing real-time PCR reagents; a temperature control system configured to cycle the temperature of the sample; an excitation source for illuminating the sample; a fiber optic probe comprising (i) an optical fiber having a distal end and a proximal end and (ii) a probe head connected to the distal end of the optical fiber and positioned between the distal end of the optical fiber and the channel; and a detector configured to detect emissions exiting the proximal end of the optical fiber.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for performing real-time PCR, comprising:
 a sample container for containing a sample of solution containing real-time PCR reagents;   a temperature control system configured to cycle the temperature of the sample;   an excitation source for illuminating the sample;   a fiber optic probe comprising: a bundle of optical fibers including a central optical fiber surrounded by a plurality of outer optical fibers, and a probe head connected to a distal end of the central optical fiber and positioned between the distal end of the central optical fiber and the sample container for containing the sample, and   a detector configured to detect emissions exiting the proximal end of the central optical fiber, wherein   the excitation source is optically connected to each of said plurality of outer optical fibers such that when the excitation source emits excitation light, the excitation light enters the outer optical fibers and then exits the outer optical fibers through a distal end of the optical fibers.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the excitation source comprises at least two light emitting devices, wherein each of the at least two light emitting devices is optically connected to at lest one of the outer optical fibers. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sample container is in the form of a channel. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the probe head comprises a ball lens or a gradient index lens. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the probe head is less than about 5 millimeters. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the diameter of the probe head is less than about 2 millimeters.