US 2009/0275074 A1 · System and Method for Performing G Protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR) Cell Assays Using Waveguide-Grating Sensors

Abstract

The present invention includes a system and method that uses optical LID biosensors to monitor in real time agonist-induced GPCR signaling events within living cells. Particularly, the present invention includes a system and method for using an optical LID biosensor to screen compounds against a target GPCR within living cells based on the mass redistribution due to agonist-induced GPCR activation. In an extended embodiment, the present invention discloses different ways for self-referencing the optical LID biosensor to eliminate unwanted sensitivity to ambient temperature, pressure fluctuations, and other environmental changes. In yet another extended embodiment, the present invention discloses different ways for screening multiple GPCRs in a single type of cell or multiple GPCRs in multiple types of cells within a single medium solution. In still yet another extended embodiment, the present invention discloses different ways to confirm the physiological or pharmacological effect of a compound against a specific GPCR within living cells.

Claims4

Dependent claims

A method for performing a living cell assay, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a microplate with a well containing a waveguide grating-based biosensor;
placing a cell medium with a first living-cell type within the well to cover the waveguide grating-based biosensor;
culturing the first living-cell type on the surface of the waveguide grating-based biosensor;
applying a solution containing a known agonist or antagonist into the cell medium located on the surface of the waveguide grating-based biosensor;
interrogating the waveguide grating-based biosensor such that an evanescent electromagnetic field extends into the first living-cell type which enables a time dependent response to be obtained, where the time dependent response indicates a mass redistribution response within the first living-cell type;
and
analyzing the mass redistribution response to determine if a specific receptor has been expressed in the first living-cell type.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and Method for Performing G Protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR) Cell Assays Using Waveguide-Grating Sensors

Life of this patent

System and Method for Performing G Protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR) Cell Assays Using Waveguide-Grating Sensors

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims4