Abstract: An instrument for biological analysis includes a base, an excitation source, an optical sensor, an excitation optical system, and an emission optical system. The base is configured to receive a sample holder comprising a plurality of biological samples. The optical sensor is configured to receive emissions from the biological samples in response to the excitation source. The instrument may additionally include a sensor lens enclosed by a lens case and a focusing mechanism including a gear that engages the lens case, the focusing mechanism being accessible outside the enclosure for adjusting a focus. The may instrument further include a sensor aperture dispose along an emission optical path and a blocking structure disposed to cooperate with the sensor aperture such that none of the reflected radiation from an illuminated surface near the sample holder is received by the optical sensor that does not also reflect off another surface of the instrument.

Abstract: An instrument for processing and/or measuring a biological process comprises a sample processing system and an excitation source exhibiting a spectral function of output power or intensity verses wavelength of output power or intensity. The spectral function has a minima wavelength corresponding to a local minima value of the output power or intensity; a first maxima wavelength corresponding to a first local maxima of output power or intensity, the output power or intensity at the first local maxima being greater than the output power or intensity at any wavelength less than the minima wavelength; a second maxima wavelength corresponding to a second local maxima of output power or intensity, the output power or intensity at the second local maxima being greater than the output at any wavelength greater than the minima wavelength; the minima wavelength is between the first maxima wavelength and the second maxima wavelength.

Abstract: An instrument for processing and/or measuring a biological process contains a sample processing system, an excitation source, an excitation optical system, an optical sensor, and an emission optical system. The sample processing system is configured to retain a first sample holder and a second sample holder, wherein the number of sample cells is different for each sample holder or a characteristic dimension for the first sample cells is different from that of the second sample holder. The instrument also includes an excitation source temperature controller comprising a temperature sensor that is coupled to the excitation source. The temperature controller is configured to produce a first target temperature when the first sample holder is retained by the instrument and to produce a second target temperature when the second sample holder is retained by the instrument.

Abstract: An instrument for biological analysis includes a base, an excitation source, an optical sensor, an excitation optical system, and an emission optical system. The base is configured to receive a sample holder comprising a plurality of biological samples. The optical sensor is configured to receive emissions from the biological samples in response to the excitation source. The instrument may additionally include a sensor lens enclosed by a lens case and a focusing mechanism including a gear that engages the lens case, the focusing mechanism being accessible outside the enclosure for adjusting a focus. The may instrument further include a sensor aperture dispose along an emission optical path and a blocking structure disposed to cooperate with the sensor aperture such that none of the reflected radiation from an illuminated surface near the sample holder is received by the optical sensor that does not also reflect off another surface of the instrument.

Abstract: An instrument for processing and/or measuring a biological process contains a sample processing system, an excitation source, an excitation optical system, an optical sensor, and an emission optical system. The sample processing system is configured to retain a first sample holder and a second sample holder, wherein the number of sample cells is different for each sample holder or a characteristic dimension for the first sample cells is different from that of the second sample holder. The instrument also includes an excitation source temperature controller comprising a temperature sensor that is coupled to the excitation source. The temperature controller is configured to produce a first target temperature when the first sample holder is retained by the instrument and to produce a second target temperature when the second sample holder is retained by the instrument.

Abstract: An instrument for processing and/or measuring a biological process contains a sample processing system, an excitation source, an excitation optical system, an optical sensor, and an emission optical system. The sample processing system is configured to retain a first sample holder and a second sample holder, wherein the number of sample cells is different for each sample holder or a characteristic dimension for the first sample cells is different from that of the second sample holder. The instrument also includes an excitation source temperature controller comprising a temperature sensor that is coupled to the excitation source. The temperature controller is configured to produce a first target temperature when the first sample holder is retained by the instrument and to produce a second target temperature when the second sample holder is retained by the instrument.

Abstract: Provided herein is a biological detection system and method of use wherein the biological detection system comprises at least one mixer or liquid bridge for combining at least two liquid droplets and an error correction system for detecting whether or not proper mixing or combining of the two component droplets have occurred.

Abstract: A biological analysis system is provided. The system comprises a sample block assembly. The sample block assembly comprises a sample block configured to accommodate a sample holder, the sample holder configured to receive a plurality of samples. The system also comprises a control system configured to cycle the plurality of samples through a series of temperatures. The system further comprises an automated tray comprising a slide assembly, the tray configured to reversibly slide the sample block assembly from a closed to an open position to allow user access to the plurality of sample holders.

Abstract: A liquid handling system of a PCR system is instructed to obtain a matrix of samples and reagents for a PCR experiment. A fluid pumping system of the PCR system is instructed to maintain a continuous flow of a transport fluid through a plurality of micro-channels that allows the mixture of the samples and the reagents producing a plurality of mixed sample droplets. One or more post-bridge detection values are received from a post-bridge detection system of the PCR system for each mixed sample droplet to determine if the mixed sample droplet is mixed correctly. A thermocycler of the PCR system is instructed to maintain one or more temperatures for cycling the temperature of the plurality of mixed sample droplets. One or more endpoint detection values are received from an endpoint detection system of the PCR system for each mixed sample droplet to analyze the PCR experiment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are used to detect spectral and spatial information in a continuous flow PCR system. An incident beam of electromagnetic radiation is emitted using a laser. The incident beam is received from the laser and the incident beam is transformed into an incident line of electromagnetic radiation using a line generator. The incident line is received from the line generator using a tube array that includes one or more transparent tubes in fluid communication with one or more micro-channels. Reflected electromagnetic radiation is received from the tube array and the reflected electromagnetic radiation is focused using an imaging lens. The focused reflected electromagnetic radiation is received from the imaging lens and a spectral intensity is detected from the focused reflected electromagnetic radiation using a spectrograph. The focused reflected electromagnetic radiation is received from the imaging lens and a location of the spectral intensity is detected using an imager.

Abstract: Provided herein is a biological detection system and method of use wherein the biological detection system comprises at least one mixer or liquid bridge for combining at least two liquid droplets and an error correction system for detecting whether or not proper mixing or combining of the two component droplets have occurred.

Abstract: A biological analysis system is provided. The system comprises a sample block assembly. The sample block assembly comprises a sample block configured to accommodate a sample holder, the sample holder configured to receive a plurality of samples. The system also comprises a control system configured to cycle the plurality of samples through a series of temperatures. The system further comprises an automated tray comprising a slide assembly, the tray configured to reversibly slide the sample block assembly from a closed to an open position to allow user access to the plurality of sample holders.

Abstract: An instrument for biological analysis includes a base, an excitation source, an optical sensor, an excitation optical system, and an emission optical system. The base is configured to receive a sample holder comprising a plurality of biological samples. The optical sensor is configured to receive emissions from the biological samples in response to the excitation source. The instrument may additionally include a sensor lens enclosed by a lens case and a focusing mechanism including a gear that engages the lens case, the focusing mechanism being accessible outside the enclosure for adjusting a focus. The may instrument further include a sensor aperture dispose along an emission optical path and a blocking structure disposed to cooperate with the sensor aperture such that none of the reflected radiation from an illuminated surface near the sample holder is received by the optical sensor that does not also reflect off another surface of the instrument.

Abstract: An instrument for processing and/or measuring a biological process contains a sample processing system, an excitation source, an excitation optical system, an optical sensor, and an emission optical system. The sample processing system is configured to retain a first sample holder and a second sample holder, wherein the number of sample cells is different for each sample holder or a characteristic dimension for the first sample cells is different from that of the second sample holder. The instrument also includes an excitation source temperature controller comprising a temperature sensor that is coupled to the excitation source. The temperature controller is configured to produce a first target temperature when the first sample holder is retained by the instrument and to produce a second target temperature when the second sample holder is retained by the instrument.

Abstract: A liquid handling system of a PCR system is instructed to obtain a matrix of samples and reagents for a PCR experiment. A fluid pumping system of the PCR system is instructed to maintain a continuous flow of a transport fluid through a plurality of micro-channels that allows the mixture of the samples and the reagents producing a plurality of mixed sample droplets. One or more post-bridge detection values are received from a post-bridge detection system of the PCR system for each mixed sample droplet to determine if the mixed sample droplet is mixed correctly. A thermocycler of the PCR system is instructed to maintain one or more temperatures for cycling the temperature of the plurality of mixed sample droplets. One or more endpoint detection values are received from an endpoint detection system of the PCR system for each mixed sample droplet to analyze the PCR experiment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are used to detect spectral and spatial information in a continuous flow PCR system. An incident beam of electromagnetic radiation is emitted using a laser. The incident beam is received from the laser and incident beam is transformed into an incident line of electromagnetic radiation using a line generator. The incident line is received from the line generator using a tube array that includes one or more transparent tubes in fluid communication with one or more micro-channels. Reflected electromagnetic radiation is received from the tube array and the reflected electromagnetic radiation is focused using an imaging lens. The focused reflected electromagnetic radiation is received from the imaging lens and a spectral intensity is detected from the focused reflected electromagnetic radiation using a spectrograph. The focused reflected electromagnetic radiation is received from the imaging lens and a location of the spectral intensity is detected using an imager.

Abstract: Provided herein is a biological detection system and method of use wherein the biological detection system comprises at least one mixer or liquid bridge for combining at least two liquid droplets and an error correction system for detecting whether or not proper mixing or combining of the two component droplets have occurred.