This paper discusses various models of luminescence image analyzers cr
eated by the authors for determining nucleotide sequences in DNA and R
NA molecules and for diagnosing certain genetic diseases caused by dam
age to the nucleotide sequence. The devices are equipped with new wide
-field fast objectives. High-sensitivity CCD cameras are used as radia
tion detectors. (C) 1998 The Optical Society of America. [S1070-9762(9
8)01911-3].