| abstract |
System and method for distinguishing at least two types of molecule groups that are bound to analyte molecules and which have different fluorescent characteristics. The system performs differentiation using time-resolved fluorescence measurement and includes a light source that exposes a first sample volume to light that is suitable for exciting the at least two types of molecule groups to fluorescence. The system also includes a detector for detecting fluorescence radiation emitted from a second sample volume that at least partially overlaps the first sample volume, and a control unit that is designed to activate the light source for a time interval T 1 and, after time interval T 2 has passed, to activate the detector for a time interval T 3 . According to this system, the illumination and detection of emitted fluorescence radiation is performed at least 1,000 times per millisecond, the detector signals recorded with a recording unit during time interval T 3 are evaluated using an evaluation unit, and the signal over time during time interval T 3 is used to determine which of the at least two groups of molecules is contained in the overlapping sample volume. |