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 multiplex assay detection apparatus, comprising:
a plurality of spectrally labeled bodies bound to a surface of a solid support,
wherein the spectrally labeled bodies are spatially resolved and each comprise a plurality of different fluorescent labels used to encode discrete and different emission spectra wherein each emission spectrum has a plurality of signals at differing wavelengths;
an excitation energy source configured to excite the plurality of spectrally labeled bodies;
a sensor configured to detect the emission spectrum of each spectrally labeled body; and
a processor configured to utilize machine-readable code including a library of identifiable substances and their associated emission spectra to identify the identifiable substance associated with each spectrally labeled body.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of spectrally labeled bodies includes a capture moiety that has an affinity for a particular identifiable substance.
3. The apparatus claim of 2 , wherein the identifiable substance is a biomolecule.
4. The apparatus claim of 3 , wherein the biomolecule is an oligonucleotide.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the surface of the solid support is substantially planar.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the solid support is a bead.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the bead is comprised of spectrally labeled bodies with the same emission spectrum.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the bead is comprised of spectrally labeled bodies with two or more emission spectra.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the solid support is an assay plate.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to provide a count of the detected spectrally labeled bodies.
11. An assay detection system, comprising:
an assay detection apparatus, comprising:
a plurality of spectrally labeled bodies bound to a surface of a solid support, wherein the spectrally labeled bodies are spatially resolved and each comprise a plurality of different fluorescent labels used to encode discrete and different emission spectra wherein each emission spectrum has a plurality of signals at differing wavelengths;
an excitation energy source configured to excite the plurality of spectrally labeled bodies; and
a sensor configured to detect the emission spectra of each spectrally labeled body;
a computing device in communication with the assay detection apparatus, comprising:
a memory for storing machine-readable code including a library of identifiable substances and their associated spectral barcodes, and
a processor in communication with the memory and configured to utilize the machine-readable code to identify the identifiable substances associated with the spectrally labeled bodies.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of spectrally labeled bodies includes a capture moiety that has an affinity for a particular identifiable substance.
13. The system claim of 12 , wherein the identifiable substance is a biomolecule.
14. The system claim of 13 , wherein the biomolecule is an oligonucleotide.
15. The system of claim 11 , wherein the surface of the solid support is substantially planar.
16. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the solid support is a bead.
17. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the solid support is an assay plate.
18. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the processor is configured to provide a count of the detected spectrally labeled bodies.
19. An assay detection method, comprising:
exciting a plurality of spectrally labeled bodies with an energy source, wherein the spectrally labeled bodies are bound to a surface of a solid support in a spatially resolved configuration and each comprise a plurality of different fluorescent labels used to encode discrete and different emission spectra wherein each emission spectrum has a plurality of signals at differing wavelengths;
detecting emission spectra with a sensor;
providing a memory for storing machine-readable code including a library of identifiable substances and their associated emission spectra; and
identifying identifiable substances from the emission spectra using a processor, wherein the processor is in communication with the memory and configured to utilize the machine-readable code to identify the identifiable substances associated with the spectrally labeled bodies.
20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising the step of counting the detected spectrally labeled bodies using the processor.