Electroluminescent binding assays
AssigneeAhuraTech LLC
InventorsHashem Akhavan-Tafti, Ali Ghiaseddin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods of producing light in liquid media are provided using nanoparticles capable of generating electroluminescence when stimulated by an electrical signal. The nanoparticles are provided as a label on a target species or on a specific binding partner of the target species to be detected in a test method. The nanoparticle-labeled species are drawn into operable proximity to electrodes which, when energized by a power source, excite the nanoparticles to produce electroluminescence. Methods of performing binding assays are described using the disclosed methods.
Claims52
A method for detecting a target species in a sample suspected of containing the target species by producing electroluminescence in a liquid medium comprising:
- providing a solid support having disposed thereon at least one pair of electrodes to which is immobilized a first specific binding partner which is capable of binding to the target species;
- providing an electroluminescent nanoparticle label as a conjugate, wherein the nanoparticle is bound to either an analog of the target species or to a second specific binding partner of the target species;
- combining the sample and the electroluminescent nanoparticle conjugate in an aqueous solution to form a mixture;
- applying the mixture to the solid support to specifically bind the target species to the first specific binding partner and thereby bring the electroluminescent nanoparticle conjugate into operable proximity to the electrodes;
- removing materials not bound to the solid support;
- adding a liquid medium;
- applying a time-varying excitation signal between the electrodes in the pair of electrodes with an excitation source electrically coupled to the pair of electrodes, thereby exciting the nanoparticles to produce electroluminescence;
- and
- detecting the electroluminescence produced while the electrical excitation is being applied, wherein the electroluminescence indicates the presence of the target species in the sample.
A method for detecting a target species in a sample suspected of containing the target species by producing electroluminescence in a liquid medium comprising:
- providing a solid support having disposed thereon at least one pair of electrodes;
- providing a capture particle conjugate comprising a nanoparticle bound to a first specific binding partner of the target species;
- providing an electroluminescent nanoparticle label as a conjugate, wherein the electroluminescent nanoparticle is bound to either an analog of the target species or to a second specific binding partner of the target species;
- combining the sample, the capture particle conjugate, and the electroluminescent nanoparticle conjugate in a liquid medium to form a mixture for a time sufficient for specific binding to occur, thereby associating the electroluminescent nanoparticle with the capture particle;
- immobilizing the capture particle conjugates onto the solid support to thereby bring the electroluminescent nanoparticle conjugate into operable proximity to the electrodes;
- removing materials not bound to the capture particle;
- applying a time-varying excitation signal between the electrodes in the pair of electrodes in the presence of added liquid medium with an excitation source electrically coupled to the pair of electrodes, thereby exciting the nanoparticles to produce electroluminescence;
- and
- detecting the electroluminescence produced while the electrical excitation is being applied, wherein the presence of electroluminescence indicates the presence of the target species in the sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.