Microflotation devices used for immunoassays and cell/molecular fractionation
OwnerRichard B. Bankert, Elizabeth A. Repaskyinventors
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Abstract
This invention relates to a flotation immunoassay employing a novel buoyant matrix to which an antigen or antibody is coupled and which separates the bound and free products of the assay by floating to the surface of the reaction liquid. The novel flotation device which makes it possible to detect and to quantitate either antigen or antibody can also be used to fractionate cells and molecules.
Claims26
A composition of matter for use in immunoassays and cell/molecular fractionation which comprises a buoyant matrix comprising milk fat globules which is surrounded by a lipid bilayer containing proteins and glycoproteins to which an antigen or an antibody is covalently coupled or incorporated.
An immunoassay for the detection of an antibody which comprises contacting a sample suspected of containing an antibody with a solid floatable matrix comprising milk fat globules to which an antigen complementary to the suspected antibody is coupled;
- allowing time sufficient for an antigen-antibody complex to form if the test sample contains the suspected antibody;
- subsequently adding a visualizable indicator to which the antibody complementary to the antigen coupled to the maxtrix is attached;
- allowing time sufficient for an antigen-antibody complex to form between the antigen coupled to the matrix and the complementary antibody coupled to the indicator in the event that the test sample does not contain the antibody complementary to the antigen coupled to the matrix;
- and detecting the presence of the antibody by observing the position of the indicator system in a reaction tube, so that if antibody is present in the test sample, the color settles to the bottom, and if no antibody is present, the color rises to the top.
An immunoassay for the detection of an antigen which comprises contacting a sample suspected of containing an antigen with a solid floatable matrix comprising milk fat globules to which an antibody complementary to the suspected antigen is coupled;
- allowing time sufficient for an antigen-antibody complex to form if the test sample contains the suspected antigen;
- subsequently adding a visualizable indicator to which the antigen complementary to the antibody coupled to the matrix is attached;
- allowing time sufficient for an antigen-antibody complex to form between the antibody coupled to the matrix and the complementary antigen coupled to the indicator in the event that the test sample does not contain the antigen complementary to the antibody coupled to the matrix;
- and detecting the presence of the antigen by observing the position of the indicator system in a reaction tube.
An immunoassay for the detection of an antibody which comprises contacting a sample suspected of containing an antibody with a solid floatable matrix comprising milk fat globules and a visualizable indicator to both of which a complementary antigen to the suspected antibody is coupled;
- allowing time sufficient for an antigen-antibody-antigen bridge complex to form if the test sample contains the suspected antibody, and detecting the presence of the antibody by observing the position of the indicator system in a reaction tube.
An immunoassay for the detection of an antigen which comprises contacting a sample suspected of containing an antigen with a solid floatable matrix comprising milk fat globules and a visualizable indicator to both of which a complementary antibody to the suspected antigen is coupled;
- allowing time sufficient for an antibody-antigen- antibody bridge complex to form if the test sample contains the suspected antigen, and detecting the presence of the antigen by observing the position of the indicator system in a reaction tube.
A diagnostic kit for the detection of an antibody or antigen in a test sample, the kit being compartmentalized to receive:
- a. a first container containing a solid floatable matrix comprising milk fat globules to which is coupled the antigen or antibody complementary to the suspected antibody or antigen contained in the test sample, and;
- b. a second container containing a visualizable indicator to which is coupled the antibody or antigen complementary to the antigen or antibody bonded to the matrix.
A diagnostic kit for the detection of an antibody or antigen in a test sample, the kit comprising a container containing a solid floatable matrix comprising milk fat globules and a visualizable indicator to both of which are coupled either the antigen complementary to the suspected antibody or the antibody complementary to the suspected antigen.
A kit for the separation of cells or molecules, the kit comprising a container containing a solid floatable matrix comprising milk fat globules to which is coupled the antigen or antibody complementary to a surface molecule of the cell to be separated or to the molecule to be separated.
A kit for the separation of cells or molecules, the kit being compartmentalized to receive:
- a. a first container containing a solid floatable matrix comprising milk fat globules to which is coupled the antigen or antibody identical to a surface molecule of the cell to be separated or to a molecule to be separated,
- b. an antigen or antibody complementary to the antibody or antigen on the solid floatable matrix comprising milk fat globules and represented by the surface molecule to be separated or the molecule to be separated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.