A method of analysing a sample of biological material that includes modifying fluorescent labels in the sample or the environmental conditions of the sample

摘要

A method or apparatus for analysing a sample of biological material that includes fluorescent labels. The apparatus uses a processing means. The method comprises the steps of: a) irradiating the sample with excitation energy; b) detecting fluorescent radiation emitted from the labels in the sample; c) Modifying either of: fluorescent labels in the sample or the environmental conditions of the sample with the apparatus in response to a user input after irradiation step (a) or in response to analysis by the processing means after the step (b). The modification in the step (c) may comprise irradiation of a portion of the sample with an energy beam such that the fluorescence of the labels in that portion is reduced. Steps (a) to (c) may be repeated, whereby the time period of repetition may depend on the analysis by the by the processing means. The modification of step (c) may involve modifying optical properties of photo-switchable labels, or it may include forming an opening in a membrane of a selected cell to allow material to pass through the opening into the cell. Such an opening may be formed by using a localised energy beam e.g. by a laser ablation or laser dissection technique.