A COST-EFFECTIVE CCD DNA SEQUENCE READER

该计划的目标是开发并最终商业化 一种功能性的、低成本的DNA序列阅读器， 扩大DNA测序在大学、私立和 工业研究实验室。 DNA序列阅读器将使用 一个独特的光学系统， 图像转换成非常有效的正方形格式， 使用二维电荷耦合器件（CCD）的数字化 阵 因此，序列阅读器将非常快， 仅需0.03秒即可完成整个放射自显影 在高分辨率。 此外，因为序列读取器可以 利用二维而不是一维的数据数组， 它具有更高的精度和可靠性， 比以前更有可能。 这一能力将使 可能的高速度，高可靠性DNA测序，即使对于 不熟练的操作员在DNA测序凝胶的解释。 这将促进和简化一项基础研究技术的使用 这对新疫苗的开发至关重要， 肽激素和许多其他医学相关的生物 分子。 该方法是建立一个完善的DNA序列阅读器， 基于第一阶段工作的令人兴奋的结果， 并在内部和阿尔法测试现场进行评估。 因为 这个项目已经带来了一个创新的技术解决方案， 针对优化凝胶图像呈现以高分辨率的基本问题， 速度2D固态成像阵列，我们有信心， 相当大的商业潜力。

The goal of this program is to develop and ultimately commercialize a functional, low cost DNA sequence reader for use in rapidly expanding DNA sequencing applications in university, private and industrial research laboratories. The DNA sequence reader will use a unique optical system to reformat the long, narrow DNA sequence image into a very efficient square format well suited for digitization using a two dimensional charge coupled device (CCD) array. The sequence reader will, therefore, be very fast, requiring only 0.03 seconds to digitize the entire autoradiogram at high resolution. Further, because the sequence reader can utilize two dimensional, rather than one dimensional, data arrays, it has the capacity of greater precision and greater reliability than has previously been possible. This capacity will make possible high speed, high reliability DNA sequencing, even for operators unskilled in the interpretation of DNA sequencing gels. This will promote and ease the use of a basic research technique that has become critical to the development of new vaccines, peptide hormones and many other medically relevant biological molecules. The approach is to build a refined DNA sequence reader, based on the exciting results of the Phase I effort, and to test and evaluate it both in-house and at an alpha test site. Because this project has already led to an innovative technical solution to the basic problem of optimizing gel image presentation to high speed 2D solid state imaging arrays, we are confident that it has considerable commercial potential.