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US 2005/0089924 A1Published application
Biosensors and methods for their use
OwnerChih-Ming Ho, Tza-Huei Wanginventors
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OwnerChih-Ming Ho, Tza-Huei Wanginventors
Estimating the term…
The invention disclosed herein provides biosensors and methods which increase the sensitivity of assays of optically labelled molecules fluorescently tagged polypeptides and polynucleotides while decreasing the sample volume required for detection. By integrating reflective sidewalls into the receptacles used in such assays, the signal-to-noise ratio of the optical signal is increased significantly. Typically the receptacles are microchannels. In addition, the geometry of the receptacles can be controlled C to further optimize the signal-to-noise ratio of the optical signal. The invention disclosed herein further provides methods and devices involving integrated electronics, wherein an element such as a diode, a transistor, an integrated circuit etc., is integrated with a bioreactor/channel in order to facilitate the detection or fabrication of bio-materials.
A biosensor comprising a microchannel, wherein a sidewall of the microchannel has been treated so as to reflect a optical signal such that the signal-to-noise ratio of the reflected optical signal is increased.
A method of measuring a fluorescence signal comprising measuring the signal of a fluorescent molecule within a microchannel, wherein a sidewall of the microchannel has been treated so as to reflect the fluorescence signal such that the signal-to-noise ratio of the reflected fluorescence signal is increased.
A method of enhancing the optical measurement of a fluorescent signal of a fluorophore coupled to a molecule selected from the group consisting of a polynucleotide and a polypeptide, the method comprising measuring the fluorescent signal of the fluorophore coupled molecule within a microchannel, wherein a sidewall of the microchannel is treated so as to reflect the fluorescence signal such that the signal-to-noise ratio of the reflected fluorescence signal is increased.
The method of claim 26, wherein the signal-to-noise ratio of the reflected fluorescence signal is enhanced by at least about 15%.
A biosensor comprising a sensing receptacle, wherein a sidewall of the sensing receptacle has been treated so as to reflect a optical signal such that the signal-to-noise ratio of the reflected fluorescence signal is increased.
A biosensor or chemical sensor comprising a sensing receptacle in which a target molecule and a probe for the target molecule interact, wherein the sensing receptacle is integrated with an electronic element selected from the group consisting of a transistor, a diode and an integrated circuit.
A method for detecting a target molecule selected from the group consisting of a polypeptide and a polynucleotide comprising the steps of:
A biosensor comprising a sensing receptacle, wherein sidewalls and bottom of the sensing receptacle have been treated to function as discrete electrodes capable of electrically concentrating a molecule in a predetermined region of the biosensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.