METHOD FOR SEPARATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF BIOMOLECULES USING UNCONVENTIONAL GEL ELECTROPHORESIS AND DETECTION OF SINGLE NANOPARTICLE PROBES
First Claim
1. A method for detecting a target biomolecule of interest in a sample comprising:
- labeling the target biomolecule of interest in the sample with a nanoparticle probe comprising a detectable nanoparticle;
electrophoresing the sample comprising the labeled target biomolecule of interest in a composite gel to separate the labeled target biomolecule of interest from other biomolecules in the sample, wherein the composite gel comprises a cross-linked polymer and a polysaccharide gel stabilizer and is capable of separating the labeled target biomolecule of interest from other biomolecules in the sample; and
detecting the nanoparticle, whereby detection of the nanoparticle detects the target biomolecule of interest in the electrophoresed sample.
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Abstract
A method for identifying and separating of target biomolecules is disclosed. The method involves contacting a sample with a nanoparticle probe that is capable of specifically binding a target biomolecule. The complex formed by the nanoparticle target biomolecule is separated by electrophoresis using a non-conventional gel composed of a synthetically cross-linked polymer and a gel stabilizer. The nanoparticle probe:target biomolecule complex is detected, thereby identifying the target biomolecule. In certain examples, the nanoparticle probe emits a signal to identify its location. Particular examples of nanoparticle probes are semiconductor nanocrystals, such as quantum dots, which fluoresce at a particular wavelength. Also disclosed is a method of substantially sealing and/or increasing the transparency of a membrane. Such a method includes applying a film to a membrane. Sealing the membrane allows the detection of single nanoparticles.
20 Citations
64 Claims
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1. A method for detecting a target biomolecule of interest in a sample comprising:
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labeling the target biomolecule of interest in the sample with a nanoparticle probe comprising a detectable nanoparticle; electrophoresing the sample comprising the labeled target biomolecule of interest in a composite gel to separate the labeled target biomolecule of interest from other biomolecules in the sample, wherein the composite gel comprises a cross-linked polymer and a polysaccharide gel stabilizer and is capable of separating the labeled target biomolecule of interest from other biomolecules in the sample; and detecting the nanoparticle, whereby detection of the nanoparticle detects the target biomolecule of interest in the electrophoresed sample. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A kit for the detection of a target biomolecule of interest, the kit comprising
a nanoparticle probe for the target biomolecule of interest, comprising a detectable nanoparticle; -
a composite gel comprises a cross-linked polymer and a gel stabilizer, wherein the gel stabilizer comprises a polysaccharide gel stabilizer and the cross-linked polymer comprises the free radical polymerization reaction product of a mixture comprising at least one monomer and at least one cross-linker sufficient to cross-link the monomer; and instructions for labeling and electrophoresing the target biomolecule of interest. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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56. A method of inhibiting photo-bleaching of a semiconductor nanocrystal on a membrane, comprising
providing a membrane containing at least one semiconductor nanocrystal; - and
applying a film to a portion of the membrane wherein the film substantially inhibits contact of the membrane with the atmosphere, thereby inhibiting photo-bleaching of the semiconductor nanocrystal on the membrane. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
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Specification