Abstract:
A method for validating an instrument is provided. The method includes receiving amplification data from a validation plate to generate a plurality of amplification curves (102, 202). The validation plate includes a sample of a first quantity and a second quantity, and each amplification curve includes an exponential region. The method further includes determining a set of fluorescence thresholds based on the exponential regions of the plurality of amplification curves (104, 204) and determining, for each fluorescence threshold of the set, a first set of cycle threshold (C t ) values of amplification curves generated from the samples of the first quantity and a second set of C t values of amplification curves generated from the samples of the second quantity (106, 206). The method includes calculating if the first and second quantities are sufficiently distinguishable based on C t values at each of the plurality of fluorescence thresholds (108, 208-218).
Abstract:
The present teachings relate to a method (300) and system for determining Regions of Interest (ROI) for one or more biological samples in a laboratory instrument. The method can include an optical system (200) capable of imaging florescence emission from a plurality of sample wells (210). An initial ROI, its center location (310) and size (320) can be estimated from the fluorescence detected from each well. From this information the average size of the ROIs (330) can be determined and global gridding models (340) can be derived to better locate each of the ROIs. The global gridding models can then be applied to the ROIs to improve the precision of the ROI center locations (350). Sample wells not originally providing fluorescence ROIs can be recovered (360) through the use of mapping functions. The radius of each ROI can then be adjusted (370) to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the optical system.
Abstract:
A computer-implemented method (500) for calibrating a fluorescent dye is described. The method (500) comprises imaging a sample holder, loaded into an instrument, at more than one channel. The sample holder comprises a plurality of reaction sites and more than one dye type, with each dye occupying more than one reaction site. The method further comprises identifying a peak channel for each dye on the sample holder (508), normalizing each channel to the peak channel for each dye (510), and producing a dye matrix (518) that comprises a set of dye reference values.
Abstract:
A system and methods are provided for image driven quality control for array based PCR. The system comprises a PCR unit, a reaction array plate, a convolutional neural network (CNN) configured to receive a sequence of images of the reaction array plate in the PCR system, and an output of the CNN coupled to a control for the reaction array plate. The method comprises applying a sequence of images from a plurality of subarrays of the reaction array plate to a plurality of CNNs during operation of the PCR system on the reaction plate array, operating the CNNs to generate failure mode predictions for the reaction plate based on the sequence of images, and coupling an output of the CNNs to one or more of a setting for manufacture of the reaction array plate or to control the PCR system.
Abstract:
A method for analyzing biological reaction systems is provided. The method includes receiving an image of a substrate including a plurality of reaction sites after a biological reaction has taken place. Next, the method includes removing a noise background from the first image. The method includes determining an initial position of each reaction site based on an intensity threshold to generate a initial position set, then refining the initial position set of each reaction site based on an expected pattern of locations of the plurality of reaction sites to generate a first refined position set. The method further includes determining a presence or absence of a fluorescent emission from each reaction site based on the first refined position set and the first image.
Abstract:
A method of automatically sequencing or basecalling one or more DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) molecules of a biological sample is described. The method comprises using a capillary electrophoresis genetic analyzer to measure the biological sample to obtain at least one input trace comprising digital data corresponding to fluorescence values for a plurality of scans. Scan labelling probabilities for the plurality of scans are generated using a trained artificial neural network comprising a plurality of layers including convolutional layers. A basecall sequence comprising a plurality of basecalls for the one or more DNA molecules based on the scan labelling probabilities for the plurality of scans is determined.
Abstract:
A deep basecaller system for Sanger sequencing and associated methods are provided. The methods use deep machine learning. A Deep Learning Model is used to determine scan labelling probabilities based on an analyzed trace. A Neural Network is trained to learn the optimal mapping function to minimize a Connectionist Temporal Classification (CTC) Loss function. The CTC function is used to calculate loss by matching a target sequence and predicted scan labelling probabilities. A Decoder generates a sequence with the maximum probability. A Basecall position finder using prefix beam search is used to walk through CTC labelling probabilities to find a scan range and then the scan a position of peak labelling probability within the scan range for each called base. A Quality Value (QV) is determined using a feature vector calculated from CTC labelling probabilities as an index into a QV look-up table to find a quality score.
Abstract:
In one exemplary embodiment, a method for calibrating an instrument is provided. The instrument includes an optical system capable of imaging florescence emission from a plurality of reaction sites. The method includes performing a region-of-interest (ROI) calibration to determine reaction site positions in an image. The method further includes performing a pure dye calibration to determine the contribution of a fluorescent dye used in each reaction site by comparing a raw spectrum of the fluorescent dye to a pure spectrum calibration data of the fluorescent dye. The method further includes performing an instrument normalization calibration to determine a filter normalization factor. The method includes performing an RNase P validation to validate the instrument is capable of distinguishing between two different quantities of sample.
Abstract:
A biological analysis system is provided. The system comprises a sample block assembly. The sample block assembly comprises a sample block configured to accommodate a sample holder, the sample holder configured to receive a plurality of samples. The system also comprises a control system configured to cycle the plurality of samples through a series of temperatures. The system further comprises an automated tray comprising a slide assembly, the tray configured to reversibly slide the sample block assembly from a closed to an open position to allow user access to the plurality of sample holders.
Abstract:
A biological analysis system is provided. The system comprises a sample block assembly. The sample block assembly comprises a sample block configured to accommodate a sample holder, the sample holder configured to receive a plurality of samples. The system also comprises a control system configured to cycle the plurality of samples through a series of temperatures. The system further comprises an automated tray comprising a slide assembly, the tray configured to reversibly slide the sample block assembly from a closed to an open position to allow user access to the plurality of sample holders.