Optical Instruments and Systems for Forensic DNA Quantitation

Abstract

Described herein are methods and devices for nucleic acid quantification and, in particular, to microfluidic methods and devices for nucleic acid quantification. In certain embodiments methods of quantifying a target nucleic acid without the need for amplification are provided. The methods involve, in some embodiments, allowing a binding agent to become immobilized with respect to the target nucleic acid. In some cases, the binding agent comprises a signaling moiety that can be used to quantify the amount of target nucleic acid. In another aspect, the quantification can be carried out rapidly. For example, in certain embodiments, the quantification can be completed within 5 minutes. In yet another aspect, samples containing a low amount of target nucleic acid can be quantified. For instance, in some cases, samples containing less than 100 nanograms per microliter may be quantified. Also described are devices and kits for performing such methods, or the like.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 183 . (canceled) 
     
     
         184 . An instrument for excitation and detection of fluorophores in a plurality of functional regions in a biochip, comprising:
 an excitation source; and   a steering element that directs a beam from an excitation source to a plurality of functional regions in the biochip, wherein the excitation source excites the fluorophores in the plurality of functional regions generating a signal that is detected such that said signal from at least one of the plurality of functional regions allows nucleic acid quantification.   
     
     
         185 . The instrument of  claim 184 , wherein the steering element is a mirror. 
     
     
         186 . The instrument of  claim 184 , further comprising a first scanner that directs the excitation beam to each of the quantification chambers in the quantification region of the biochip and a second scanner that directs the excitation beam to each of the chambers in a second functional region of the biochip. 
     
     
         187 . The instrument of  claim 184 , further comprising a mirror mounted on a translation stage that directs the excitation beam to each of the quantification chambers in the quantification region of the biochip and a second scanner that directs the excitation beam to each of the chambers in a second functional region of the biochip.