A new optical design uses a liquid crystal pixel array (LCPA) to discrimina
te multiple fluorescence signals on a two-dimensional biosensor array. The
LCPA can selectively control the transmission of fluorescence generated fro
m multiple biosensing elements on a planar waveguide. This device sequentia
lly acquires the fluorescence data from the substrate by making multiple in
dividual measurements of the sensing elements on the waveguide. The biosens
ing elements are patterned according to the pixel layout of the LCPA and op
tically aligned so that each electronically driven pixel can either transmi
t or filter out the fluorescence signal as specified by the user. The prima
ry advantage of this system is that a single detection channel (i.e. photom
ultiplier tube (PMT)) can be used to measure multiple fluorescence signals
from a two-dimensional substrate while the LCPA provides for spatial resolu
tion. We evaluate the performance of the LCPA by testing the optical homoge
neity of the liquid crystal pixels and linear dynamic range for transmittin
g light. The LCPA is also used with well-developed biosensing chemistry mod
ified for this optical format. Published by Elsevier Science S.A.