Doped colorimetric assay liposomes
AssigneeThe Reagents of the University of California
InventorsDeborah Charych, Raymond C. Stevens
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides compositions comprising colorimetric assay liposomes. The present invention also provides methods for producing colorimetric liposomes and calorimetric liposome assay systems. In preferred embodiments, these calorimetric liposome systems provide high levels of sensitivity through the use of dopant molecules. As these dopants allow the controlled destabilization of the liposome structure, upon exposure of the doped liposomes to analyte(s) of interest, the indicator color change is facilitated and more easily recognized.
Claims21
A composition comprising doped liposomes that change color in the presence of an analyte, wherein said doped liposomes comprise:
- a) a plurality of polymerized diynes;
- b) one or more ligands having an affinity for said analyte;
- and c) a dopant having no affinity for said analyte.
A method of making doped colorimetric liposomes that change color in the presence of an analyte, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing:
- i) a plurality of diyne monomers,
- ii) one or more ligands having an affinity for said analyte,
- iii) a dopant having no affinity for said analyte,
- iv) one or more organic solvents, and
- v) an aqueous solution;
- b) combining said diyne monomers, said dopant, said one or more ligands, and said one or more organic solvents to form an organic mixture;
- c) evaporating said one or more organic solvents in said organic mixture to produce a concentrated mixture;
- d) adding said aqueous solution to said concentrated mixture to produce an aqueous mixture;
- e) heating said aqueous mixture above the main-phase transition temperature of said diyne monomers;
- f) agitating said aqueous mixture to produce an agitated mixture;
- g) cooling said agitated mixture to at least about 4 ° C. to produce doped liposomes;
- and
- h) polymerizing said doped liposomes to produce doped liposomes capable of changing color in the presence of an analyte.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.