SPATIAL POSITIONING OF SPECTRALLY LABELED BEADS
Devices, systems, kits, and methods for detecting and/or identifying a plurality of spectrally labeled bodies well-suited for performing multiplexed assays. By spectrally labeling the beads with materials which generate identifiable spectra, a plurality of beads may be identified within the fluid. Reading of the beads is facilitated by restraining the beads in arrays, and/or using a focused laser.
1 . A spectral label identification method comprising:
spatially restraining a first spectrally labeled body at a site in an array of sites;
spatially restraining a plurality of labeled bodies behind the first body so as to define an array;
dispersing a plurality of spectra from the spatially restrained bodies simultaneously across the sensor surface; and
identifying the array of bodies from the spectrum, wherein the plurality of spectrally labeled bodies are simultaneously spatially restrained as an array when the first body is restrained.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the array of bodies are restrained within an array of openings in a multi-well plate.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the array of openings in the multi-well plate are spaced to avoid excessive overlap of the dispersed spectra such that each of the bodies can be identified from the associated spectrum.
4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the array of openings in the multi-well plate are spaced in a staggered pattern so as to increase the array density while avoiding excessive overlap among the dispersed spectra.
5 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the array of openings in the multi-well plate are deep enough to contain a set of labeled bodies.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the labeled bodies are moved into the array of openings in the multi-well plate by vacuum action.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the labeled body is restrained by a restraining energy beam which is configured to restrain a single body.
8 . A spectral label identification method comprising:
spatially restraining a first spectrally labeled body at a site in an array of sites;
spatially restraining a plurality of labeled bodies behind the first body so as to define an array;
sensing a first and second spectra with a scanning system by moving a sensing field between the bodies of the array; and
identifying the array of bodies from the spectrum, wherein the plurality of spectrally labeled bodies are simultaneously spatially restrained as an array when the first body is restrained.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the array of bodies are restrained within the array of openings in a multi-well plate.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the array of openings in the multi-well plate are spaced to avoid excessive overlap of the dispersed spectra such that each of the bodies can be identified from the associated spectrum.
11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the array of openings in the multi-well plate are spaced in a staggered pattern so as to increase the array density while avoiding excessive overlap among the dispersed spectra.
12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the array of openings in the multi-well plate are deep enough to contain a set of labeled bodies.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the labeled bodies are moved into the array of openings in the multi-well plate by vacuum action.
14 . A spectral label identification method comprising:
spatially restraining a first spectrally labeled body at a site in an array of sites;
spatially restraining an array of bodies in the array by an array of discrete binding sites, the binding sites comprising material capable of binding bodies;
sensing a first and second spectra with a scanning system by moving a sensing field between the bodies of the array; and
identifying the array of bodies from the spectrum, wherein the plurality of spectrally labeled bodies are simultaneously spatially restrained as an array when the first body is restrained.
15 . A spectral label identification method comprising:
spatially restraining a first spectrally labeled body at a site in an array of sites;
spatially restraining an array of bodies in the array by an array of discrete binding sites, the binding sites comprising material capable of binding bodies;
dispersing a plurality of spectra from the spatially restrained bodies simultaneously across the sensor surface; and
identifying the array of bodies from the spectrum, wherein the plurality of spectrally labeled bodies are simultaneously spatially restrained as an array when the first body is restrained.
16 . A multiplexed assay system comprising:
a plurality of bodies released in a fluid, the bodies having labels for generating identifiable spectra;
an energy transmitter coupled to the fluid so as to spatially restrain an array of bodies with a restraining energy beam; and
a sensor oriented to receive the spectrum which are simultaneously dispersed from the plurality of spatially restrained bodies across the sensor surface.