Apparatus and method for detecting and identifying infectious agents

• US 6,682,899 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2002
• Issued: 01/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Prolume Limited
• Original Assignee: Prolume Limited
• Inventors: Murphy, Randall B., Gaalema, Stephen, Bryan, Bruce J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Long V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Padmanabhan, Kartic
• Application Number:
  US10/126,777
• Publication Number:
  US 20030113741A1
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 435/4, 435/6, 435/7.1, 435/7.9, 435/7.92, 435/283.1, 435/288.7, 435/808, 435/973, 435/975, 436/164, 436/172, 436/518, 436/524, 436/527, 436/805, 422/58, 422/68.1, 422/82.05, 422/82.08, 422/57, 356/215, 356/222, 356/317, 427/8, 427/162, 427/167
• US Class Current: 435/7.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/253 for batch operation, i.e. multisample apparatus analytical automats G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/763 Bioluminescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54366 Apparatus specially adapted for solid-phase testing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/582 with fluorescent label
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/808 Optical sensing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/973 Simultaneous determination of more than one analyte
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/975 Kit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/805 Optical property
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/186 Sulfur dioxide

Abstract

Solid phase methods for the identification of an analyte in a biological medium, such as a body fluid, using bioluminescence are provided. A chip designed for performing the method and detecting the bioluminescence is also provided. Methods employing biomineralization for depositing silicon on a matrix support are also provided. A synthetic synapse is also provided.

Claims

1. A method of depositing silica on a matrix material, comprising:

isolating a silicalemma from a diatom or a cytokalymma from radiolaria;

transporting silicon into the silicalemma or cytokalymma to effect nucleation and epitaxial growth of silicon monomers in the silicalemma or cytokalymma; and

effecting polymerization of silicon dioxide in the silicalemma or cytokalymma along an interface region of the matrix to form a matrix-silicate mesostructure.