LARGE AREA REAL-TIME SYSTEM FOR SCREENING DNA LIBRARIES

A nuclear imaging system based on a position-sensitive photomultiplier tube and scintillating fiber optics is described. Its target application is the detection of radiolabeled DNA fragments as an aid in the isolation and harvesting of clones for sequencing the human genome. The system represents a substantial improvement in acquisition speed and dynamic range over the current method, autoradiography, while remaining competitive in terms of resolution. The digital nature of the image allows a great deal of freedom in processing and displaying data, including automatic identification and location of the desired features. Ultimately this system will be made compatible with a fully automated DNA processing system.