Ultrasonic force differentiation assay

A device for characterizing the binding forces between a plurality of different surface-bound binding members and a particle-bound binding member, the device comprising

• a surface that has spatially distinguishable subregions, wherein each subregion has a different surface-bound binding member attached thereto,
• a plurality of particles that have a particle-bound binding member attached thereto,
• a reaction vessel that includes means for exposing the subregions of the surface to the particles whereby, if a surface-bound binding member has a binding affinity for a particle-bound binding member, a complex is formed between individual surface-bound binding members and individual particle-bound binding members and the particles thereby become immobilized with respect to the surface,
• ultrasonic force means operatively disposed with respect to the surface for applying a variable force on the particles, and
• means for monitoring the position of the particles with respect to the subregions of the surface.

A device for characterizing the binding forces between a surface-bound binding member and a plurality of different particle-bound binding members, the device comprising

• a surface that has a surface-bound binding member attached thereto,
• a plurality of particles of different distinguishable classifications wherein each different distinguishable classification of particles has a different particle-bound binding member attached thereto,
• a reaction vessel that includes means for exposing the surface to the particles whereby, if a surface-bound binding member has a binding affinity for a particle-bound binding member, a complex is formed between individual surface-bound binding members and individual particle-bound binding members and the particles thereby become immobilized with respect to the surface,
• ultrasonic force means operatively disposed with respect to the surface for applying a variable force on the particles, and
• means for distinguishing between particles of different classifications and for monitoring the position of particles of each classification with respect to the surface.

A device for characterizing the binding force between a first binding member and a second binding member, the device comprising

• at least one assay cell that includes a cell wall having an outside surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface has been chemically modified by the attachment of a first binding member
• a test medium including one or more particles that have been chemically modified by the attachment of a second binding member,
• a reaction vessel that includes means for exposing the surface to the test medium whereby, if the first binding member has a binding affinity for the second binding member a complex is formed and the particles thereby becomes immobilized with respect to the surface,
• ultrasonic force means in contact with the outer surface of the assay cell and operatively disposed with respect to the surface for applying a variable ultrasonic force through the cell wall and onto the inner surface, and
• means for monitoring the position of the particles with respect to the surface.

A method for characterizing the binding forces between a first binding member and a second binding member, the method comprising the steps of

• (a) providing
• (i) a surface that has a first binding member attached thereto and
• (ii) a plurality of particles that have a second binding member attached thereto,
• (b) contacting the particles with the surface under conditions such that if the first binding member has a binding affinity for the second binding member, a complex is formed and the particle that the second binding member is attached to thereby becomes immobilized with respect to the surface,
• (c) applying a force from an ultrasonic power source to the particles, and
• (d) monitoring the position of the particles with respect to the surface before, during and/or after step (c).