SIGNAL DETECTION TECHNIQUES FOR THE DETECTION OF ANALYTES

• US 20150126391A1
• Filed: 10/14/2014
• Published: 05/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Genmark Diagnostics Incorporated (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Blackburn, Gary, Terbrueggen, Robert, Vielmetter, Jost G., UMEK, Robert M., Irvine, Bruce D., Yu, Changjun
• Granted Patent: US 9,874,542 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 506/9
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 15/00 Nanotechnology for interacting, sensing or actuating, e.g. quantum dots as markers in protein assays or molecular motors
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/3277 being a redox reaction, e.g. detection by cyclic voltammetry voltammetry per se G01N27/42, G01N27/48
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/416 Systems G01N27/27 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5438 Electrodes

Abstract

The invention relates to the use of signal processing methods in order to achieve higher signal to noise ratios, to increase the detection limits of target analytes. These techniques include the monitoring of the output signal at higher harmonic frequencies.

Claims

1. A method of analyzing a biochip, said method comprising:

a) providing a biochip comprising;

i) an array of detection electrodes and

ii) a plurality of hybridization complexes, each comprising a different target-binding ligand, a different target analyte, and a different electrochemical detection label comprising a ferrocene, at least one of said ferrocenes having an altered redox property that distinguishes it from the other ferrocene(s);

b) applying an input electric signal to said biochip; and

c) detecting an output electric signal from said ferrocene labels as an indication of the presence or absence of said target analytes.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said ferrocenes is a ferrocene derivative.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said target-binding ligands and said target analytes are nucleic acids.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said detecting is done using voltammetry.