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 device for detecting label-free target analytes, comprising:
- a surface configured to contact a fluid;
- at least two capture reagents attached to the surface, the at least two capture reagents being configured to bind to different label-free target analytes respectively;
- a plurality of color centers located proximate the surface;
- and
- at least one detector configured to detect a change in a property of at least one of the color centers in response to binding one of the different label-free target analytes to a corresponding one of the capture reagents;
- wherein the capture reagents are aptamers each having a negatively charged backbone.
A device for detecting label-free target molecules, comprising:
- at least two capture reagents attached to a surface, wherein each of the at least two capture reagents is configured to bind to a different label-free target molecule to form a complex including at least the capture reagent and the label-free target molecule;
- one or more color centers disposed proximate the surface such that forming the complex causes a change in an electric field at one or more of the color centers;
- and
- a detector configured to detect the change in the electric field at the one or more of the color centers.
A device for detecting label-free target molecules, comprising:
- a color center disposed in a substrate;
- a capture reagent attached to a surface of the substrate, wherein the capture reagent is configured to attract positive ions from a solution and to capture a label-free target molecule from the solution, and wherein a change in charge distribution associated with attracting one or more of the positive ions and capturing the label-free target molecule by the capture reagent causes a change in a property of the color center;
- and
- a detector configured to detect the change in the property of the color center.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.