Apparatus for quantitative analysis of a nucleic acid amplification reaction
US6713297B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 14, 2001 |
| Grant date | Mar 30, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 14, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2201/0627
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for determining a threshold value (e.g., a threshold cycle number or a time value) in a nucleic acid amplification reaction comprises a detection mechanism for measuring, at a plurality of different times during the amplification reaction, at least one signal whose intensity is related to the quantity of a nucleic acid sequence being amplified in the reaction. The apparatus also includes a controller in communication with the detection mechanism. The controller is programmed to perform the steps of deriving a growth curve from the measurements of the signal; calculating a derivative of the growth curve; identifying a characteristic of the derivative; and determining a threshold value associated with the characteristic of the derivative. Embodiments of an apparatus for determining a starting quantity of a nucleic acid sequence in a test sample are also provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.