Analyte detection assay
AssigneesThe University of Melbourne, Genera Biosystems Limited
InventorsKarl Frederick Poetter, Edin Nuhiji, Paul Mulvaney
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Abstract
A rapid and sensitive analyte detection assay is based on whispering gallery modes of fluorescently labelled microspheroidal particles. Ligands for the analyte, such as nucleic acids, are anchored to the particles. The fluorescent labels may comprise fluorophores or quantum dots. In the latter case, the particles may comprise melamine formaldehyde. The assay may be used to detect analytes in aqueous samples.
Claims20
A method for detecting an analyte in a medium, comprising the steps of:
- anchoring a multiplicity of ligands to the analyte to a population of fluorophore-conjugated microspheroidal particles wherein if the microspheroidal particle is melamine formaldehyde then it may be conjugated with the fluorophore or comprise a quantum dot;
- (ii) contacting the microspheroidal particles with a negative control sample and determining a baseline spectrum;
- (ii) contacting the microspheroidal particles with a sample putatively comprising the analyte for a time and under conditions sufficient to facilitate a binding event between the analyte and its respective ligand;
- and
- (iii) subjecting the microspheroidal particles to whispering gallery modes (WGM) detection means to detect a binding event.
(canceled)
A method for detecting a binding event between an analyte and a ligand, comprising the steps of:
- (i) anchoring a multiplicity of ligands to a population of fluorophore-conjugated or quantum dot labeled melamine formaldehyde microspheroidal particles;
- (ii) contacting the melamine formaldehyde microspheroidal particles with a negative control sample and determining a baseline spectrum;
- (iii) contacting the melamine formaldehyde microspheroidal particles with a sample putatively comprising the analyte for a time and under conditions sufficient to facilitate a binding event between the analyte and its respective ligand;
- and
- (iv) subjecting the melamine formaldehyde microspheroidal particles to WGM detection means to detect a binding event.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.