A Novel Computer Vision System for Integrated Biomolecule and Cell Assays

Computer vision (CV) is used throughout life sciences for tissue and cell imaging; this paper presents the first demonstration of CV as a biomolecular sensor. We present an integrated sensing and fluid-actuation platform that combines CV with bead-based chemistries to perform both biomolecular and cell-based assays. By rapidly detecting the size and shape of objects at 5-50 micron length scales, the CV system can accommodate a variety of assays that traditionally require separate analytical tools and workflows, providing a greater degree of data integration and automation. This paper demonstrates 3 initial use cases: 1) Semi-quantitation of a biomarker (IgG) using a clustering assay; 2) Enumeration of white blood cells expressing CD45 surface markers using functionalized nanoparticles; and 3) Cell viability detection using dyes. All assays are performed using a single CV platform.