System and Method for Instrument Calibration
Methods for generating a calibration factor and for calibrating are provided whereby interstitial spacing between support locations of a platform is used to embed a detectable material, emissions from which are used to generate the calibration factor. In some embodiments, the external space, outer perimeter, and other areas of a platform are used to embed detection materials for the normalization, calibration, correction, compensation, or other method of adjustment for detected emission data. The emission data can be taken from an assay, amplification, reaction, analysis, or other process, for example, from a PCR run or other reaction. By calibrating or adjusting the sample support with the detected emission data, a more efficient detection of the assay, amplification, reaction, analysis, or other process, can be achieved.
1 . A method of generating a calibration factor for a signal emitted from a support location of a platform, comprising:
providing a platform comprising a top surface, a plurality of support locations, and interstitial space between adjacent ones of the plurality of support locations;
embedding at least one detectable material in the interstitial space;
receiving emission data detected from the at least one detectable material; and
generating a calibration factor for a signal emitted from one or more of the plurality of support locations based on the received emission data.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising calibrating a signal emitted from one or more of the plurality of support locations based on the calibration factor.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one detectable material comprises a dry material.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one detectable material comprises a fluorescent dye and the receiving comprises receiving fluorescent emissions.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one detectable material comprises a plurality of different detectable materials.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one detectable material is distributed across the interstitial space in a repeating pattern.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of support regions comprises the at least one detectable material supported thereby.
8 . A method of generating a calibration factor for a signal emitted from a support location of a platform, comprising:
providing a platform comprising a top surface, a plurality of support locations, and a perimeter surrounding the plurality of support locations and that is exclusive of the plurality of support locations;
embedding at least one detectable material in the perimeter;
receiving emission data detected from the at least one detectable material; and
generating a calibration factor for a signal emitted from one or more of the plurality of support locations based on the received emission data.
9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising calibrating a signal emitted from one or more of the plurality of support locations based on the calibration factor.
10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the at least one detectable material comprises a fluorescent dye and the receiving comprises receiving fluorescent emissions.
11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the at least one detectable material comprises a plurality of different detectable materials.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of different detectable materials are embedded in the perimeter such that each detectable material is separated from and spaced apart from the other detectable materials of the plurality.
13 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the at least one detectable material is distributed across the perimeter in a repeating pattern.
14 . The method of claim 8 , wherein one or more of the plurality of support regions comprises the at least one detectable material supported thereby.
15 . A platform comprising:
a top surface;
a plurality of sample support locations formed in or on the top surface;
interstitial space between adjacent ones of the plurality of sample support locations; and
at least one excitable detectable material embedded in the interstitial space and that emits a detectable signal adapted to generate a calibration factor.
16 . The platform of claim 15 , wherein the platform comprises a multiwell plate and the interstitial space comprises areas between adjacent wells of the multiwell plate.
17 . The platform of claim 15 , wherein the at least one detectable material comprises a fluorescent dye.
18 . The platform of claim 15 , wherein the at least one detectable material comprises a plurality of different fluorescent dyes.
19 . The platform of claim 18 , wherein the plurality of different fluorescent dyes are embedded in the interstitial space such that each fluorescent dye of the plurality is separated from and spaced apart from the others different fluorescent dyes of the plurality.
20 . A platform comprising:
a top surface;
a plurality of sample support locations formed in or on the top surface;
a perimeter surrounding the top surface; and
at least one excitable detectable material embedded in the perimeter and that emits a detectable signal adapted to generate a calibration factor.