Improved detectability and signal strength for rotating phase fluorescence immunoassays through image processing

Fluorescence immunoassays based on rotating solid phase have shown promise of lowered detection limits, among other advantages. However, intrinsic background distortion effects have limited their utility. Here, novel image processing strategies are used to minimize these effects and improve the estimate of concentration and lower the detection limit. This initial demonstration of a new processing capability is performed on data for a protein, myoglobin, which is a biomarker for acute myocardial infarction. For these data, compared with published results, the detection limit is improved by a factor of approximately one hundred (to 700 fM), which is competitive with or better than other immunoassay strategies (ELISA, for example) that are fully developed. This work suggests that image and video processing technologies can provide a valuable alternative approach to biochemical detection and concentration estimation.