Patent ID: 8785886
Filing Date: 2014-07-22
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of detecting and analyzing light from a light-emitting particle dispersed and moving at random in a sample solution using an optical system of a confocal microscope or a multiphoton microscope, the method comprising steps of: preparing the sample solution containing a light-emitting particle dispersed and moving at random in the sample solution, the light-emitting particle having a first light-emitting site and a second light-emitting site which has a different emission wavelength from that of the first light-emitting site; moving a position of a light detection region of the optical system in the sample solution by changing an optical path of the optical system; measuring individually and simultaneously light intensity of the first light-emitting site and light intensity of the second light-emitting site from the light detection region during the moving of the position of the light detection region in the sample solution; generating a first light intensity data of the light intensity of the first light-emitting site and a second light intensity data of the light intensity of the second light-emitting site; detecting individually in the first and the second light intensity data a signal indicating light of a single light-emitting particle based on a variation in time of the light intensity, the signal being detected when the variation in time of the light intensity has a bell shaped profile which is expected from the single light-emitting particle moving relatively inside the light detection region; identifying the single light-emitting particle with a ratio of the light intensity of the first light-emitting site and the light intensity of the second light-emitting site in respective signals simultaneously generated on the first light intensity data and the second light intensity data.