Apparatus and methods for determining biomolecular interactions
First Claim
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1. A molecular detection apparatus comprising:
- a first compartment containing at least a ligand or a receptor;
a second compartment adjacent said first compartment;
a boundary area disposed between said first and second compartments;
a sensing area; and
means for detecting the diffusion of a molecule proximate the sensing area;
wherein said ligand is smaller than said receptor and wherein the boundary area includes a membrane operative to allow said ligands to pass therethrough and to prevent passage of said receptors.
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Abstract
Methods, apparatus and substrates for the detection of reactions between biomolecules or cells and a second compound are disclosed. The invention detects interactions between ligands and receptors by utilizing detecting the diffusion of a species proximate a sensing area. Absorbance detection and diffraction sensors are utilized to monitor the rate of diffusion from the sensing area.
23 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A molecular detection apparatus comprising:
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a first compartment containing at least a ligand or a receptor;
a second compartment adjacent said first compartment;
a boundary area disposed between said first and second compartments;
a sensing area; and
means for detecting the diffusion of a molecule proximate the sensing area;
wherein said ligand is smaller than said receptor and wherein the boundary area includes a membrane operative to allow said ligands to pass therethrough and to prevent passage of said receptors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for detecting interaction between a ligand and a receptor comprising:
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a first compartment containing a matrix, a ligand and a receptor; and
a second compartment adjacent the first compartment, the second compartment containing a buffer solution; and
a light source and a detector arranged to measure the diffusion of the ligand into the second compartment;
wherein the ligand is a drug molecule having a molecular weight less than 1000 Daltons and the receptor has a molecular weight greater than 5 kiloDaltons.- View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for measuring the interaction between a ligand and a receptor comprising:
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a light source;
a detector; and
a substrate including at least three laterally spaced optical openings adapted to generate a diffraction pattern;
wherein the three-laterally spaced openings are positioned on the opposite surface of a substrate containing a Y-shaped element including a sensing area. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A substrate for use in a biological sensing system comprising three laterally spaced openings adapted to generate a diffraction pattern;
- wherein a first surface contains the laterally spaced openings and a surface opposite the first surface includes a Y-shaped element including a sensing area optically aligned with the central opening.
- View Dependent Claims (24)
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25. A method for analyzing biomolecular interactions comprising:
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providing a ligand and a receptor either within or proximate to a slotted diffraction surface;
placing the ligand and the receptor in a Y-shaped element having a sensing area;
detecting the diffusion of biomolecules. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of analyzing biomolecular interactions comprising:
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providing a ligand and a receptor either within or proximate to a slotted diffraction surface;
placing the ligand and the receptor in a Y-shaped element having a sensing area; and
monitoring the rate of diffusion of biomolecules from an upstream area towards a downstream area. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
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Specification