Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of determining a drift value is described that includes performing one or more X-axis translations of an excitation beam over a probe array; measuring light responsive to the excitation beam from at least two positional reference elements associated with the probe array for the X-axis translations; calculating a distance value for the X-axis translation using a positional relationship of a known location associated with each of the positional reference elements and positions of the positional reference elements from the measured light; and determining a drift value using a difference between the calculated distance value and an expected distance value.

Abstract: A computer program analyzes an image including features that correspond to emissions detected from a biological probe array. The program aligns one or more grids, each having one or more grid cells, with all or portions of the image; selects one or more grid cells to be associated with features based on distributions of pixel intensity values within the grid cells; locates a shape, such as a circle, in each selected grid cell based on distributions of pixel intensity values within the grid cells; and associates one or more intensity values with a feature based on intensities of feature pixels, or feature pixels and portions of feature pixels, within the shape located in the selected grid cell associated with the feature. The features may correspond to spots of biological material such as nucleic acid, peptide, protein fragment, protein, antibody, ligand, receptor, or small molecule.

Abstract: An image alignment tool is described for adjusting the alignment of a grid with an image. An initial grid aligner determines an initial, approximately aligned, position of the grid. An intensity scorer determines, for each of a plurality of test grid elements of the plurality of grid elements, a set of intensity scores. Each member of the set is based, at least in part, on intensities of pixels of one or more image features within the test grid element in one of the initial or additional positions. A combined-rank-score generator combines, for each of the initial and additional grid positions, members of sets of rank scores corresponding to the grid position in order to generate a combined rank score for the grid position. A grid alignment adjuster adjusts the alignment of the grid based on a comparison among the combined rank scores.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are described for adjusting the gain of a scanner. The scanner includes one or more excitation sources, an emission detector having a first gain, and a variable gain element having a second gain. One described method includes receiving a user-selected gain value, adjusting the first gain based on a first portion of the user-selected gain value, and adjusting the second gain based on a second portion of the user-selected gain value. Another described method includes selecting an auto-gain value, adjusting the first gain based on a first portion of the auto-gain value, adjusting the second gain based on a second portion of the auto-gain value, causing the scanner to collect sample pixel intensity values, determining a comparison measure based on comparing the sample pixel intensity values to desired pixel intensity values, and adjusting the auto-gain value based on the comparison measure.

Abstract: A computer program product, and related systems and methods, are described that processes emission intensity data corresponding to probes of a biological probe array. The computer program includes a genotype and statistical analysis manager that determines absolute or relative expression values based, at least in part, on a statistical measure of the emission intensity data and at least one user-selectable statistical parameter. The analysis manager may also determine genotype calls for one or more probes based, at least in part, on the emission intensity data, The analysis manager may further display the absolute or relative expression values based, at least in part, on at least one user-selectable display parameter and/or a measure of normalized change between genotype calls. The measure of normalized change may be based, at least in part, on a comparison of genotype calls and a reference value.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer software products are provided for determining genotype of a sample using a plurality of probes. In one preferred embodiment, a tentative genotype call is made based upon the relative allele signals. Pattern recognition is then used to validate the tentative call.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are described for aligning multiple images of arrays of biological materials. One method includes aligning a grid with a first image, generating grid alignment data based on the alignment of the grid with the first image, storing the grid alignment data in memory, retrieving the grid alignment data responsive to an indication to align a second image, and analyzing the second image based on the retrieved grid alignment data. In some implementations, the first image and second images are generated by scanning the same array of biological materials. The array may be a spotted array, a synthesized array, or other type of parallel biological assay.

Abstract: An alignment apparatus and method are described for accurately and reliably depositing biological materials on a microscope slide or other substrate. A preferred implementation includes a first mounting assembly that enables rotation of deposit elements around a first axis perpendicular to the substrate surface using one or more bearing surfaces concentric with the first axis. A second mounting assembly enables rotation of the deposit elements around a second axis parallel to the depositing surface, and a third mounting assembly enables rotation of the deposit elements around a third axis that is parallel to the depositing surface and perpendicular to the second axis. Various types of deposit elements may be used, such as pins, quills, or jetting elements.

Abstract: An applications programming interface is described that includes code libraries that enable transfer of pixel data, intermediate results data, or both, from a data structure or data file directly or indirectly to a user-provided application. The pixel data and intermediate results data may include data from biological experiments related probe arrays.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and products are described for synthesizing probe arrays of polymers. A mask is used that includes reticle areas, each of which includes a number of reticles associated with a same synthesis area on a substrate. A method includes (a) aligning the mask with respect to the substrate so that a first reticle of a first reticle area is aligned with a first synthesis area and so that a second reticle of the first reticle area is aligned with a first discard area on the substrate; (b) coupling monomers on the first synthesis area at locations determined by the first reticle; (c) re-aligning the mask with respect to the substrate so that the second reticle is aligned with the first synthesis area; and (d) coupling monomers on the first synthesis area at locations determined by the second reticle. The monomers may be, for example, nucleotides, amino acids or saccharides.

Abstract: An image alignment tool is described for adjusting the alignment of a grid with an image. An initial grid aligner determines an initial, approximately aligned, position of the grid. An intensity scorer determines, for each of a plurality of test grid elements of the plurality of grid elements, a set of intensity scores. Each member of the set is based, at least in part, on intensities of pixels of one or more image features within the test grid element in one of the initial or additional positions. A combined-rank-score generator combines, for each of the initial and additional grid positions, members of sets of rank scores corresponding to the grid position in order to generate a combined rank score for the grid position. A grid alignment adjuster adjusts the alignment of the grid based on a comparison among the combined rank scores.

Abstract: A data manager is described for providing a publish database for access by data mining tools and other data processing software applications. The data manager includes a results-for-publication identifier that identifies synthesized probe array results and spotted probe array results for publishing. This identification may be based, at least in part, on user selections. The data in the publish database is organized in accordance with an integrated database schema. The data manager may also include an experimental results registration processor that registers the synthesized probe array results and the spotted probe array results for publishing. This registration may be based, at least in part, on user selections. For example, a user may select certain probe array results from a graphical user interface displaying a tree of files containing probe array results from multiple experiments with synthesized and/or spotted probe arrays.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are described for specifying a scanning area of a substrate. In accordance with one method, steps include receiving location data corresponding to a plurality of probe-feature locations on the substrate, storing the location data, accessing the location data, and scanning the substrate based on the accessed location data. A scanning system is described that includes a computer, a scanner, and a computer program product. The product, when executed on the computer, accesses location data corresponding to a plurality of probe-feature locations on a substrate, and controls the scanner's scanning of the substrate based on the accessed location data.