Multiplexed volumetric bar chart chip for point of care biomarker and analyte quantitation

A method for determining the quantity of a target protein and other types of biomarkers or analytes present in a sample, the method comprising:

• providing apparatus comprising:
• a top plate comprising a plurality of recesses arranged to form a plurality of rows extending parallel to one another;
• and
• a bottom plate comprising a plurality of recesses arranged to form a plurality of rows extending parallel to one another, and a plurality of channels extending perpendicularly to the plurality of rows of the bottom plate;
• wherein the top plate and the bottom plate are assembled together so that the top plate is on top of the bottom plate and the recesses of the top plate communicate with the recesses of the bottom plate so as to form a plurality of rows;
• and
• wherein at least one of the top plate and the bottom plate is configured to slide relative to the other of the top plate and the bottom plate in order to form a plurality of columns, with each of the plurality of columns in communication with each of the plurality of channels;
• binding a protein-specific antibody in at least one recess forming one of the plurality of rows of the top plate;
• positioning hydrogen peroxide in a recess adjacent to the row containing the protein-specific antibody;
• positioning ink in a recess in a row adjacent to the plurality of channels;
• positioning a sample in the at least one recess containing the protein-specific antibody;
• positioning a catalase in the at least one recess containing the protein-specific antibody and the sample;
• sliding one of the top plate and the bottom plate relative to the other of the top plate and the bottom plate so as to form the plurality of columns, with each column being in communication with one of the plurality of channels;
• and
• determining the quantity of the target protein and other biomarker and other molecular analyte present in the sample by detecting the longitudinal position of the ink contained in the plurality of channels.

A method for determining the quantity of a target analyte present in a sample, the method comprising:

• providing apparatus comprising:
• a top plate comprising a plurality of recesses arranged to form a plurality of rows extending parallel to one another;
• and
• a bottom plate comprising a plurality of recesses arranged to form a plurality of rows extending parallel to one another, and a plurality of channels extending perpendicularly to the plurality of rows of the bottom plate;
• wherein the top plate and the bottom plate are assembled together so that the top plate is on top of the bottom plate and the recesses of the top plate communicate with the recesses of the bottom plate so as to form a plurality of rows;
• and
• wherein at least one of the top plate and the bottom plate is configured to slide relative to the other of the top plate and the bottom plate in order to form a plurality of columns, with each of the plurality of columns in communication with each of the plurality of channels;
• binding a capture agent in at least one recess forming one of the plurality of rows of the top plate, introducing a sample into the at least one recess so that an analyte contained in the sample is bound to the capture agent, and binding a probe to the bound analyte;
• and positioning a reagent in a recess adjacent to the row containing the capture agent, bound analyte and bound probe;
• and positioning ink in a recess in a row adjacent to the plurality of channels;
• sliding one of the top plate and the bottom plate relative to the other of the top plate and the bottom plate so as to form the plurality of columns, with each column being in communication with one of the plurality of channels;
• and
• determining the quantity of the analyte present in the sample by detecting the longitudinal position of the ink contained in the plurality of channels.