JP2000249650A - Microplate reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify the structure of a microplate reader which can simultaneously measure an ultraviolet region regarding a plurality of samples and to make the microplate reader low-cost. SOLUTION: A filter 6a which is put in a filter wheel 6 is irradiated with light from a light source 2 via a lens 4. The filter 6a transmits only light at a specific wavelength in an ultraviolet region. When the filter wheel 6 is changed over, the filter 6a which is arranged in the irradiation optical path of the light from the lens 4 is selected. The light which transmits the filter 6a is divided into respective wells 10a on a microplate 10 so as to be irradiated by light guides 8. Light which transmits the wells 10a is incident on a plurality of light receiving parts 14a, formed in positions corresponding to the wells 10a in a detection part 14, and the light is detected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a microplate reader for measuring a sample through the interaction between light and the sample. Such a microplate reader is used for many applications including an ELISA.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when measuring a sample such as a biological sample through the interaction of light with light, each sample is individually accommodated in a sample cell, and the sample cell is placed on a microplate reader for measurement. I was However, when measuring a large number of samples, complicated operations such as replacement and cleaning of sample cells have been involved.

[0003] In order to simultaneously measure the absorbance and the like of a plurality of samples contained in a microplate having a plurality of wells, the samples are placed together with the microplates, and light of a specific wavelength is supplied to one well or to a plurality of wells. A microplate reader capable of simultaneously irradiating a plurality of wells and measuring a plurality of samples is used. This microplate reader is a general-purpose machine, and includes a spectroscope such as a grating or a prism as spectroscopic means, and can measure a wide range from ultraviolet to visible.

[0004]

The above-mentioned microplate reader is capable of measuring a wide wavelength range from ultraviolet to visible light, so that the structure of the device is complicated and more expensive. There was a problem. The present inventors are studying application of a microplate reader to analysis of biological samples such as DNA and protein. Visible region light is not required when only a sample such as DNA or protein that absorbs in the ultraviolet region is measured, or when only a measurement that generates excitation light emission or fluorescence by irradiation with ultraviolet light is performed.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive microplate reader by simplifying the structure of an apparatus capable of simultaneously measuring the ultraviolet region of a plurality of samples.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a microplate reader comprising: a light source for emitting light including an ultraviolet region; and a wavelength selector for selecting light having a specific wavelength between 180 and 400 nm from the light of the light source. And a sample chamber in which a sample container containing a plurality of samples is placed, an optical system for irradiating the sample in the sample container with light selected by the wavelength selection unit, and an interaction between light and the sample for each sample. And a detecting unit for detecting.

[0007] 180 to 400 selected by the wavelength selection unit
A plurality of samples are simultaneously irradiated with light having a specific wavelength between nm.
The detection unit detects the interaction between light of a specific wavelength and the sample for each sample, and performs quantitative or qualitative determination of each sample.
By employing such a configuration, a plurality of samples can be simultaneously measured in the ultraviolet region without exchanging cells. And, by using an ultraviolet-only machine that limits the measurable region to the ultraviolet region, the structure of the device is simplified,
It can be cheap.

[0008]

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view showing an embodiment. Light from the light source 2 is applied via a lens 4 to a filter 6 a housed in a filter wheel 6 of a wavelength selection unit. The light source 2 is connected to a power supply 2 a for applying a voltage to the light source 2. As the light source 2, for example, a hydrogen discharge tube,
A deuterium discharge tube, a high-pressure mercury lamp, a low-pressure mercury lamp, a xenon lamp, a halogen lamp, or the like that emits light in an ultraviolet region of 180 to 400 nm can be used. Filter 6
a transmits only light of a specific wavelength in the ultraviolet region, and for example, 260 nm or 280 n for DNA measurement.
m, 230 nm or 280 nm for protein measurement
Is mounted on the filter wheel 6. By switching the filter wheel 6, a filter 6a arranged on the irradiation light path is selected.

The light transmitted through the filter 6a is guided to the sample chamber 12 by the light guide 8, and is divided and irradiated for each well 10a of the microplate 10 installed in the sample chamber 12. As the light guide 8, for example, an optical fiber or a plastic molded product can be used.

FIG. 2 is a top view showing the microplate 10 used in this embodiment. A plurality of wells 10a are formed on one surface of the microplate 10, and a sample is stored in each of the wells 10a. In this embodiment, an ultraviolet transmission type is used.

Returning to FIG. 1, the light radiated from a plurality of light paths of the light guide 8 is radiated to the wells 10 a at corresponding positions arranged in the sample chamber 12. The light transmitted through the well 10a is transmitted to a plurality of light receiving sections 14 provided at positions corresponding to the wells 10a of the detecting section 14 provided on the side opposite to the light guide 8 of the microplate 10.
a. As the detection unit 14, for example, a photodiode array is used. The detection signal of each light receiving section 14a is sent to the CPU 16 respectively. The CPU 16 performs quantification of the sample component of each well 10a and calculation of the concentration based on the detected signal intensity. In the CPU 16,
A display unit 18 for displaying measurement results and the like and an input unit 20 for inputting operation instructions and data are connected.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of this embodiment. Inside the housing 22, a light source 2, a lens 4, a filter wheel 6, a filter 6a, a light guide 8, a sample chamber 1
2, the detection unit 14 and the CPU 16 are accommodated. The display unit 18 and the input unit 20 are arranged on the front surface of the housing 22. An opening / closing window 2 connected to the sample chamber 12 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 22.
4 is provided so as to be openable and closable, and the microplate 10 is arranged in the sample chamber 12 through an opening and closing window.

As described above, since the microplate 10 can be mounted on the apparatus, it is possible to save the labor of accommodating a plurality of samples individually in the cell for measurement. Furthermore, since the measurement is performed simultaneously on a plurality of samples, the measurement time can be reduced. Further, after the measurement is performed using this device, another analysis can be performed or stored while the sample is stored in the microplate 10, so that the labor for transferring the sample to another container can be omitted.

In the embodiment, the optical path is guided to the positions corresponding to all the wells of the microplate, and all the wells are irradiated with light at the same time. However, the present invention is not limited to this. By guiding the optical path to a position corresponding to one well of the plate or a part of the plurality of wells, and scanning the optical path and the detection unit or the microplate, measurement may be performed on all the wells as a result. Good. In this embodiment, a filter is used as the wavelength selector, but a spectroscope such as a grating may be used. The grating may be transmissive or reflective.

[0015]

According to the microplate reader of the present invention,
A wavelength selection unit that selects light having a specific wavelength between 180 and 400 nm, and a sample container containing a plurality of samples are arranged,
A sample chamber for simultaneously irradiating a plurality of samples with light selected by the wavelength selection unit, and a detection unit for detecting an interaction between the light and the samples for each sample, and irradiating the plurality of samples with ultraviolet rays simultaneously Therefore, since it is dedicated to the ultraviolet region, the structure of an apparatus capable of simultaneously measuring the ultraviolet region for a plurality of samples can be simplified, and an inexpensive microplate reader can be provided. Then, a plurality of samples can be simultaneously measured in the ultraviolet region without exchanging cells.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating a microplate used in the example.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 2 light source 4 lens 6 filter wheel 6a filter 8 light guide 10 microplate 10a well 12 sample chamber 14 detection unit 16 CPU 18 display unit 20 input unit

Claims (1)

[Claims] A light source unit that emits light including an ultraviolet region;
From the light of the light source unit, a wavelength selection unit that selects light having a specific wavelength between 180 to 400 nm, a sample chamber in which a sample container containing a plurality of samples is disposed, and the wavelength selected by the wavelength selection unit. A microplate reader comprising: an optical system for irradiating a sample in the sample container with light; and a detection unit for detecting an interaction between the light and the sample for each sample.