Toward the accurate read-out of quantum dot barcodes: Design of deconvolution algorithms and assessment of fluorescence signals in buffer

Signal processing methods for deconvolving the fluorescence signals of the QD-barcodes and the use of signal processing methods were used to determine a practical number of available barcodes for biological applications. Two methods of barcode discrimination that were used includes, the QD barcodes that are discriminated based on the intensities of each incorporated QD. In the first method, the fluorescence of all uniform mixtures of two color QDs in solution were measured and the individual peak intensities were identified by the deconvolution algorithm. The second method that was used to discriminate QD barcodes were based on the ratio of QD fluorescence intensities. It can be concluded that read-out algorithms and environmental factors can be used for the determination of the number of available QD-barcodes for use in biological assays.