Computer screen as a programmable light source for visible absorption characterization of (bio)chemical assays

Visible absorption features suitable for color recognition and micro-plate reading of a standard bioassay are performed by the combination of a computer screen used as a programmable light source and a web camera as detector. The method provides in this way a highly available platform for 'home tests' or 'self-tests', where the requirement is to monitor well defined assays and the use of economical instrumentation is advantageous.