Process and apparatus for qualitative and quantitative analysis of an analyte

A sensing apparatus for sensing fluorescence emitted during a process performed to effect at least one of a qualitative analysis and a quantitative analysis of an analyte in a solution, the sensing apparatus comprising:

• at least one elastic molecule;
• at least one arrangement structure connected to the at least one elastic molecule, the at least one arrangement structure having a first chromophore disposed thereon which is capable of emitting a fluorescent light of a wavelength λ1 in response to irradiation of the first chromophore with an electro-magnetic radiation, which causes the first chromophore to absorb a wavelength λ, the first chromophore being interconnected by an elastic coupling with a second chromophore at a spacing relative to the second chromophore such that a fluorescence resonant energy transfer (FRET) is possible between the second chromophore and the first chromophore, the second chromophore being capable of emitting a fluorescent light of a wavelength λ2 in response to a transfer of light in a non-direct irradiation manner to the second chromophore and the second chromophore being connected to a ligand having coupled thereto an analyte molecule, at least one of the type of which and the amount of which is to be determined;
• means for moving the at least one arrangement structure and the analyte molecule relative to one another in a manner which effects extension of the elastic coupling interconnecting the first chromophore and the second chromophore;
• a light source for irradiating the first chromophore with an electro-magnetic radiation so as to cause the first chromophore to absorb a wavelength λ1 and emit a fluorescent light of a wavelength λ1 in response to the irradiation of the first chromophore;
• an optical detector for detecting the fluorescent light having the respective wavelength λ1 and the fluorescent light having the respective wavelength λ2 during the movement of the at least one arrangement structure and the analyte molecule relative to one another;
• and
• a device for associating signals representative of the detected fluorescent light with a signal representative of the movement of the at least one arrangement structure and the analyte molecule relative to one another and for associating signals representative of the detected fluorescent light with a signal representative of the excitation of the first chromophore, whereby a measurement is made possible of the intensities of the fluorescent light having the respective wavelength λ1 and the fluorescent light having the respective wavelength λ2 which have been monitored during the movement of the at least one arrangement structure and the analyte molecule relative to one another.