Apparatus for analyzing and detecting interactions and reactions of molecules
AssigneeArizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
InventorNongjian Tao
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for label-free analysis of molecules, including interactions and reactions of the molecules, is disclosed. The apparatus is based on detecting molecule movement under the influence of an external electric field. The apparatus is able to achieve sensitive detection of molecular binding to proteins or other molecules, and conformational changes of proteins or other molecules and biochemical reactions of the proteins or other molecules. Applications of the apparatus include screening of drug molecules, kinetic analysis of posttranslational modification of proteins, and small molecule-protein interactions.
Claims17
An apparatus for analyzing and detecting interactions and reactions of proteins, comprising:
- an electrically conductive surface coated with streptavidin;
- a molecular bridge binding a protein to said surface, wherein the molecular bridge comprises polyethylene glycol having a number average molar mass of 1.6 kD to 160 kD and a biotin group and a N-hydroxysuccinimide group on either end of the polyethylene glycol, and wherein the biotin group conjugates the streptavidin on the surface;
- at least one electrode forming an alternating current (AC) electric field comprising a frequency between the at least one electrode and the surface and generating a response of the protein, wherein the response of the protein is periodic movement in response to the AC electric field;
- a solution, wherein the surface, the molecular bridge, the protein, and at least a portion of the electrode are submerged in the solution and the electrode is disposed in the solution so that a direction of the electric field generated is substantially orthogonal to the surface;
- a light emitting device exciting surface plasmons in the surface;
- a sensor measuring a change in a distance between the protein and the surface;
- and
- a filter which detects the movement of the protein in the electric field thereby selectively detecting the response of the protein at the frequency.
An apparatus for analyzing and detecting interactions and reactions of proteins, comprising:
- an electrically conductive surface coated with streptavidin;
- a molecular bridge for binding a protein to the surface, wherein the molecular bridge comprises polyethylene glycol having a number average molar mass of 1.6 kD to 160 kD and a biotin group and a N-hydroxysuccinimide group on either end of the polyethylene glycol, and wherein the biotin group conjugates the streptavidin on the surface;
- at least one electrode forming an electric field between the at least one electrode and the surface;
- and
- a solution, wherein the surface, the molecular bridge, and at least a portion of the electrode are submerged in the solution.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.