A liquid crystal pixel array for signal discrimination in array biosensors

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.