Method and apparatus to identify small variations of biomolecules
AssigneeAlfred E.Mann Institute for Biomedical Engineering at the University of Southern Californa
InventorGerald E. Loeb
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Many diseases are related to variations in the genetically specified structure of proteins synthesized by cells. Genetic engineering is now able to identify the structural variations and to introduce new genes to synthesize more healthful proteins, but it is difficult actually to identify the specific protein or chemical variants in bodily fluids and extracts of tissues in order to diagnose diseases and to assess the effects of treatment. This invention provides apparatuses and methods which allow a user to finely discriminate between small variations in the structure, function and levels of specific biochemicals even when admixed with other biochemicals.
Claims26
A method for the identification and quantification of admixtures of at least a first and a second biomolecular variant comprising:
- applying at least one condition gradient upon a detection array along a gradient axis having discrete locations, wherein the gradient conditions affect at least one of the rate of binding or reaction between the variants and at least one reactant;
- measuring the rate of binding or reaction between the variants and the at least one reactant at the discrete locations along the gradient axis at discrete times;
- and
- analyzing measurements of the rate of binding or reaction from the discrete locations along the gradient axis at discrete times to determine the quantities of each of the first and a second biomolecular variant present in the admixture.
A method for the discrimination of biomolecules in an admixture comprising the steps of:
- a. obtaining a sample comprising at least a first and a second biomolecule;
- b. exposing the sample to at least one gradient condition along a gradient axis to alter the inherent charge of the biomolecules;
- c. contacting the biomolecules with at least one reactant to cause the formation of at least one reaction product;
- and
- d. detecting at least one of a rate of binding between the biomolecules and the at least one reactant or a rate of reaction between the variants and the at least one reactant at discrete locations along the gradient axis.
A method for the discrimination of biomolecules in an admixture comprising the steps of:
- a. obtaining a sample comprising at least first and a second biomolecule;
- b. exposing the sample to at least one gradient condition along a gradient axis to alter the inherent energy of the biomolecules;
- c. contacting the biomolecules with at least one reactant to cause the formation of at least one reaction product;
- and
- d. detecting at least one of a rate of binding between the biomolecules and the at least one reactant or a rate of reaction between the variants and the at least one reactant at discrete locations along the gradient axis.
A method for the discrimination of biomolecules in an admixture comprising the steps of:
- a. obtaining a sample comprising at least first and a second biomolecule;
- b. exposing the sample to at least one gradient condition along a gradient axis to alter the inherent energy and inherent charge of the biomolecules;
- c. contacting the biomolecules with at least one reactant to cause the formation of at least one reaction product;
- and
- d. detecting at least one of a rate of binding between the biomolecules and the at least one reactant or a rate of reaction between the variants and the at least one reactant at discrete locations along the gradient axis.
A detection array for the identification and quantification of admixtures of two or more biomolecular variants comprising:
- a substrate;
- means for applying at least one condition gradient upon the substrate along a first gradient axis having discrete locations, wherein the gradient conditions affect at least one of a rate of binding or a rate of reaction between the biomolecular variants and at least one reactant;
- a means for measuring of the rate of binding or rate of reaction between the biomolecular variants and a reactant at discrete locations along the gradient axis at discrete times;
- and
- a means for analyzing measurements of the rate of binding or rate of reaction from the discrete locations of the substrate at discrete times to determine the quantities of each biomolecular variant present in the admixture.
A detection array for discrimination of similar biomolecules in an admixture comprising:
- a substrate having an upper surface area;
- a reaction chamber upon the substrate upper surface area;
- at least one pair of gradient electrodes affixed to the substrate, wherein application of a current to the gradient electrodes creates a pH gradient along a gradient axis;
- at least a first and second pair of detection electrodes affixed to the substrate upper surface area, wherein each pair of detection electrodes is spaced at a distance apart on a reaction axis;
- and wherein the detection electrodes sense changes of one or all of the biomolecules, reactants or reaction products in the reaction chamber at discrete times;
- and
- control electronics operably connected to gradient electrodes and detection electrodes.
A detection array for discrimination of similar biomolecules in an admixture comprising:
- a substrate having an upper surface area;
- a reaction chamber upon the substrate upper surface area;
- at least two reactant regions spaced at a distance apart on the substrate upper surface area;
- a light source, wherein activation of the light source creates an illumination gradient along an illumination gradient axis upon the substrate upper surface area;
- an imaging device for detecting photochemical changes of one or all of the biomolecules, reactants or reaction products in the reaction chamber at discrete times;
- and
- control electronics operably connected to the light source and imaging device.
A detection array for discrimination of similar biomolecules in an admixture comprising:
- a substrate having an upper surface area;
- a reaction chamber upon the substrate upper surface area;
- at least two reactant regions spaced at a distance apart on the substrate upper surface area;
- a thermal source wherein activation of the thermal source creates a temperature gradient along a gradient axis along the substrate upper surface area;
- an imaging device for detecting photochemical changes of one or all of the biomolecules, reactants or reaction products in the reaction chamber;
- and
- control electronics operably connected to the thermal source and imaging device.
A detection array for discrimination of similar biomolecules in an admixture comprising:
- a substrate having an upper surface area;
- a reaction chamber upon the substrate upper surface area;
- a thermal source wherein activation of the thermal source creates a temperature gradient along a gradient axis along the substrate upper surface area;
- at least a first and second pair of detection electrodes affixed to the substrate, wherein each pair of detection electrodes is spaced at a distance apart on a reaction axis, and wherein the detection electrodes sense changes of one or all of the biomolecules, reactants or reaction products in the reaction chamber at discrete times;
- and
- control electronics operably connected to the thermal source and detection electrodes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.