Proteomic assay using quantum sensors
AssigneeSomaLogic Operating Co., Inc.
InventorsJason Paul Cleveland, Karoly Holczer, Barry Patrick John Vant-Hull
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for the detection of proteins in biological fluids such as urine using a label-free assay is described. Specific proteins are detected by their binding to highly specific capture reagents such as SOMAmers that are attached to the surface of a substrate. Changes to these capture reagents and their local environment upon protein binding modify the behavior of color centers (e.g., fluorescence, ionization state, spin state, etc.) embedded in the substrate beneath the bound capture reagents. These changes can be read out, for example, optically or electrically, for an individual color center or as an average response of many color centers.
Claims20
A method for measuring a concentration of label-free target molecules in a sample fluid, the method comprising:
- exposing a substrate to a sample fluid such that a plurality of capture reagents attached to a surface of the substrate contact the sample fluid, the plurality of capture reagents including first capture reagents configured to bind to first label-free target molecules and second capture reagents configured to bind to second label-free target molecules different from the first label-free target molecules;
- detecting, based on emission of electromagnetic radiation from at least one color center within the substrate, a change in a property of the at least one color center in response to binding between the first label-free target molecules and the first capture reagents;
- and
- determining, based on the detected change, a concentration of the first label-free target molecules within the sample fluid.
A method for detecting label-free target analytes in a sample fluid, the method comprising:
- exposing to a sample fluid at least two capture reagents attached to a surface, wherein each capture reagent is configured to bind to a different label-free target analyte, and the surface is disposed proximate a plurality of color centers;
- and
- sensing a change in a property of a first color center of the plurality of color centers in response to binding one of the different label-free target analytes to a corresponding one of the capture reagents.
A method for detecting label-free target molecules, the method comprising:
- capturing a first label-free target molecule from a sample fluid by a first capture reagent of a plurality of capture reagents attached to a surface, wherein the first capture reagent belongs to a first species configured to bind to the first label-free target molecule, and the plurality of capture reagents further includes a second capture reagent belonging to a second species configured to bind to a second label-free target molecule;
- and
- sensing, based on emission of first electromagnetic radiation from a color center disposed adjacent the surface, the capture of the first label-free target molecule by the first capture reagent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.