Stable Metal/Conductive Polymer Composite Colloids and Methods for Making and Using the Same
OwnerPatrick Englebienne, Anne Van Hoonackerinventors
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Abstract
Stable metal/conductive polymer composite colloids and methods for making the same are provided. The subject colloids find use in a variety of different applications, including analyte detection applications. Also provided are kits that include the subject colloids.
Claims52
1-32. (canceled)
A stable metal/conductive polymer composite colloid comprising metal particles surface coated with a water-soluble conductive polymer layer and suspended in an aqueous medium.
A stable metal/conductive polymer composite colloid comprising metal particles surface coated with a water-soluble conductive polymer layer and suspended in an aqueous medium, where said particles comprise a surface-immobilized ligand and said metal particles and conductive polymer are matched in terms of at least one optical property.
(canceled)
A method for screening a sample for the presence of an analyte, said method comprising:
- (a) contacting said sample with a stable metal/conductive polymer composite colloid to produce an assay mixture, wherein said colloid metal particles are surface coated with a water-soluble conductive polymer layer and comprise a surface-immobilized ligand that specifically binds to said analyte;
- and
- (b) detecting an optical parameter of said assay mixture to screen said sample for the presence of said analyte.
A kit for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample, said kit comprising:
- a stable metal/conductive polymer composite colloid comprising metal particles surface coated with a water-soluble conductive polymer layer and comprising a surface-immobilized ligand that specifically binds to said analyte.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.