Fiber-optic biosensor to assess circulating phagocyte activity by chemiluminescence.
We describe herein the construction of a novel computerized multi-sample temperature-controlled luminometer for a fiber array-based biosensor to monitor circulating phagocyte activity. It can perform simultaneously integral measurements of chemiluminescence emitted from up to six samples containing less than 0.5 microl whole blood while the samples and detector do not change their position during the measurement cycle. The optical fibers in this luminometer are used as both light guides and solid phase sample holders. The latter feature of the instrument design simplifies the assessment process of both the extra-cellular and the intra-cellular parts of the phagocyte-emitted chemiluminescence using the same system. We describe some examples or proof of principle for the use of the biosensor. This new technology may find use in a wide range of analytical luminescence applications in biology, biophysics, biochemistry, toxicology and clinical medicine.
National Institute for Biotechnology in The Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel.
Moni
M
Magrisso
Ohad
O
Etzion
Greg
G
Pilch
Alex
A
Novodvoretz
Galit
G
Perez-Avraham
Francisc
F
Schlaeffer
Robert
R
Marks
D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008163:Luminescent Measurements / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D055100:Optical Fibers; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000502:physiology*