Systems and methods for enhanced SCODA
AssigneeThe University of British Columbia
InventorsAndrea Marziali, Joel Pel, Jason Donald Thompson, Gosuke Shibahara
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for separating, concentrating and/or detecting molecules based on differences in binding affinity to a probe are provided. The molecules may be differentially modified. The molecules may be differentially methylated nucleic acids. The methods can be used in fields such as epigenetics or oncology to selectively concentrate or detect the presence of specific biomolecules or differentially modified biomolecules, to provide diagnostics for disorders such as fetal genetic disorders, to detect biomarkers in cancer, organ failure, disease states, infection or the like.
Claims17
A method for concentrating a molecule of interest from a biological sample, the method comprising the steps of:
- loading the sample on an affinity matrix comprising an immobilized affinity agent that has a first binding affinity for the molecule of interest and a second binding affinity for at least some of the other molecules in the biological sample, wherein the first binding affinity is higher than the second binding affinity;
- and
- conducting affinity SCODA to selectively concentrate the molecule of interest into a focus spot, wherein the concentration of the molecule of interest in the focus spot is increased relative to the concentration of the other molecules in the biological sample, and wherein the molecule of interest comprises a first molecule that is differentially modified as compared with a second molecule in the biological sample comprising the same sequence as the first molecule.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.