Multiplex assay reader system

A device for reading optical codes provided by a set of beads or particles, each of the beads or particles having a surface functionalization selected for attaching a biornolecule to be studied, each of the beads or particles including rare earth-based light emitters which are capable of emitting an optical code exclusive for that bead or particle, the device comprising:

• a first excitation source for exciting the rare earth-based light emitters of each of the beads or particles, thereby causing the emitters to emit light, the emitted light having a unique ratio of at least two relative intensities, the unique ratio of the relative intensities forming the optical code of the bead or particle;
• a color light detector for detecting the emitted light having the unique ratio of the relative intensities;
• and
• a memory for storing an image of the emitted light having the unique ratio of the relative intensities.

A method for reading optical codes, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a set of beads or particles, each of the beads or particles having a surface functionalization selected for attaching a biomolecule to be studied, each of the beads or particles including rare earth-based light emitters which are capable of emitting an optical code exclusive for that bead or particle;
• exciting the rare earth-based light emitters of each of the beads or particles with an LED or laser, thereby causing the emitters to emit light, the emitted light having a unique ratio of at least two relative intensities, the unique ratio of the relative intensities forming the optical code of the bead or particle;
• detecting the emitted light having the unique ratio of the relative intensities with a charge-coupled-device of a digital single-lens reflex camera body;
• and
• storing an image of the emitted light having the unique ratio of the relative intensities.