US 5,670,113 AGranted

Automated analysis equipment and assay method for detecting cell surface protein and/or cytoplasmic receptor function using same

AssigneeSibia Neurosciences, Inc.

InventorsMichael Anthony Akong, Michael Miller Harpold, Gonul Velicelebi, Paul Brust

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Abstract

Automated measurement apparatus and methods for automated drug screening and for studying ion channel and cell surface receptor activity are provided. The apparatus is designed to initiate and measure rapid or transient events, such as cell receptor and/or ion channel activity. The apparatus can effect measurements of transient reactions in or more samples in a multi-well container, initiate the reaction with reagent addition and measure a resulting attribute of the sample for a period of time. The apparatus is capable of substantially continuously measuring and recording data corresponding to the measured attribute before, during and after initiation of the reaction so that a time course of the rapid or transient event is determined. Automated drug screening methods and methods for studying receptor and ion channel activity using the apparatus are also provided. The drug screening assays identify compounds that activate, inhibit or potentiate cellular ion channel or receptor activity.

Claims27

Dependent claims

In a computer-controlled fluorescence-measuring apparatus comprising means for measuring the fluorescence of individual samples contained in a plurality of wells of a multi-well plate, a method for measuring transient reactions comprising:

(a) identifying a predetermined one of the plurality of wells containing a sample to be measured;
(b) moving the predetermined well by the apparatus to a reagent addition position of the apparatus;
(c) adding reagent by the apparatus to the predetermined well at the reagent addition position;
(d) moving the predetermined well to a measurement position of the apparatus after the addition of the reagent;
and
(e) measuring the post-reagent addition fluorescence value of the solution in the predetermined well at the measurement position after the addition of the reagent to the predetermined well, wherein:
the movement of the predetermined well, step (d), and the commencement of measurement, step (e), occurs within a predetermined time period that is less than the time during which a reaction that is detected by the fluorescence reaches its peak, and measurement is effected for a predetermined amount of time;
(f) moving the predetermined well by the apparatus to a fluorescence measurement position prior to the adding reagent step;
(g) measuring the pre-reagent fluorescence value of the solution in the predetermined well at the measurement position prior to the addition of the reagent;
and
(h) recording the pre-reagent fluorescence value measured.

8 more elements

An automated measurement apparatus, comprising:

control means for coordinating the operation of the apparatus;
sample-containing means comprising a plurality of wells for containing individual solution samples;
means responsive to the control means for aligning one or more predetermined wells of the plurality of wells with a predetermined position;
means responsive to the control means for adding reagent to the one or more predetermined wells while aligned with the predetermined position;
and
measurement means responsive to the control means for:
(i) measuring an attribute of each sample in the one or more of the predetermined wells while aligned with the predetermined position;
and
(ii) measuring the attribute of each sample in the predetermined wells so that all wells are measured simultaneously or so that one well at a time is measured, wherein:
the measurement means commence measurement within a predetermined time period after reagent addition that is less than the time required for the transient reaction to reach its peak response;
and the measuring means is also adapted to measure the attribute of each of the samples in the predetermined position before and during the addition of reagent to the sample by the reagent adding means.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/244,985Filed 20 Jun 1994 · continuation in part
Priority: 20 Dec 1991
Granted: 23 Sep 1997
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification19 codes

G01N 33/6872
Involving proteins, peptides or amino acids: intracellular protein regulatory factors and their receptors, e.g. including ion channels
G01N 21/6452
Specially adapted constructive features of fluorimeters: individual samples arranged in a regular 2D-array, e.g. multiwell plates
G01N 33/5008
Involving human or animal cells: for testing or evaluating the effect of chemical or biological compounds, e.g. drugs, cosmetics
G01N 33/502
For testing or evaluating the effect of chemical or biological compounds, e.g. drugs, cosmetics: for testing non-proliferative effects