Method of performing assays for biomolecules and solid supports for use in such methods
First Claim
1. A method of performing an assay for biomolecules in a sample comprising:
- providing a solid support of polymeric composition consisting essentially of at least two suitable polymeric components selected from the group consisting of polymers and copolymers, said suitable polymeric components capable of dissolving at different rates when exposed to a solvent composition, so that one of said suitable polymeric components dissolves more quickly and the other of said suitable polymeric components dissolves less readily when said solid support is exposed to said solvent composition,exposing said solid support to said suitable solvent composition in a region of said solid support to remove a portion of the polymeric components in said region with said solvent composition to increase the exposed surface area of the region,contacting the sample to said solid support and allowing binding region of the solid support,removing any excess sample from the solid support,contacting the solid support with a detectable reagent that specifically binds to the biomolecules,removing excess detectable reagent from the solid support, anddetecting the detectable reagent on the solid support to determine the presence of biomolecules bound to said region of the solid support.
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Abstract
Methods of performing an assay for biomolecules and solid supports for use in such assays are disclosed. An activated polymeric material is used as a solid support for binding biomolecules. In a preferred form, the support is made of a generally hydrophobic, nonporous polymer which has been activated by treatment with solvents or by mechanical means to enhance the binding characteristics of the support. The support can be made of a copolymer, such as a copolymer of polystyrene and polybutadiene. Detection of bound biomolecules is preferably performed by means of staining reactions and gray level scanning. Emulsifying agents, such as detergents, can be applied to the surface of the support to substantially inhibit additional materials from being bound to the support.
68 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of performing an assay for biomolecules in a sample comprising:
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providing a solid support of polymeric composition consisting essentially of at least two suitable polymeric components selected from the group consisting of polymers and copolymers, said suitable polymeric components capable of dissolving at different rates when exposed to a solvent composition, so that one of said suitable polymeric components dissolves more quickly and the other of said suitable polymeric components dissolves less readily when said solid support is exposed to said solvent composition, exposing said solid support to said suitable solvent composition in a region of said solid support to remove a portion of the polymeric components in said region with said solvent composition to increase the exposed surface area of the region, contacting the sample to said solid support and allowing binding region of the solid support, removing any excess sample from the solid support, contacting the solid support with a detectable reagent that specifically binds to the biomolecules, removing excess detectable reagent from the solid support, and detecting the detectable reagent on the solid support to determine the presence of biomolecules bound to said region of the solid support. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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9. The method 1 in which the biomolecule is a member selected from the group consisting of proteins, nucleic acids, amino acids, peptides, amines, and nucleotides.
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19. The method 13 in which the biomolecule is a member selected from the group consisting of proteins, nucleic acids, amino acids, peptides, amines, and nucleotides.
Specification