Method and instrument for detecting biomolecular interactions

• US 7,023,544 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2002
• Issued: 04/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: X-Body Incorporated (Bristol-Myers Squibb Company)
• Original Assignee: Sru Biosystems Incorporated
• Inventors: Li, Peter Y., Cunningham, Brian T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Toatley, Jr., Gregory J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GEISEL, KARA E
• Application Number:
  US10/180,374
• Publication Number:
  US 20030059855A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,378 Days
• Field of Search: 356/326, 356/328
• US Class Current: 356/326
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5085 for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/68 involving nucleic acids
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/42 Absorption spectrometry; Double beam spectrometry; Flicker spectrometry; Reflection spectrometry beam switching arrangements G01J3/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/7773 Reflection
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/7776 Index
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/253 for batch operation, i.e. multisample apparatus analytical automats G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/31 Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry G01N21/72 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/4788 Diffraction for sizing particles G01N15/0205
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/55 Specular reflectivity
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/75 Systems in which material is subjected to a chemical reaction, the progress or the result of the reaction being investigated systems in which material is burnt in a flame or plasma G01N21/72, G01N21/73
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/7743 the reagent-coated grating coupling light in or out of the waveguide
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54373 involving physiochemical end-point determination, e.g. wave-guides, FETS, gratings
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/1809 with pitch less than or comparable to the wavelength

Abstract

Method and apparatus for detecting biomolecular interactions. The use of labels is not required and the methods may be performed in a high-throughput manner. An instrument system for detecting a biochemical interaction on a biosensor. The system includes an array of detection locations comprises a light source for generating collimated white light. A beam splitter directs the collimated white light towards a surface of a sensor corresponding to the detector locations. A detection system includes an imaging spectrometer receiving the reflected light and generating an image of the reflected light.

Claims

1. An instrument system for detecting a biochemical interaction on a biosensor comprising an array of detection locations, said system comprising:

a light source for generating collimated white light,

a beam splitter directing said collimated white light towards a surface of a sensor corresponding to said detector locations; and

a detection system including an imaging spectrometer receiving a reflected light from said sensor and generating an image of said reflected light.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said biosensor is a microarray chip.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said microarray chip is a conventional microarray chip.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said biosensor is transported along a scan direction.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said imaging spectrometer generates a Peak Wavelength Value image.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said directed collimated white light is directed to a plurality of locations on said surface of said sensor.

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein said directed collimated white light is simultaneously directed to a plurality or locations on said surface of said sensor.

8. The invention of claim 1 wherein said directed collimated white light is directed to an imaging area on said surface of said sensor.

9. The invention of claim 2 wherein said directed collimated white light illuminates a plurality of wells of said microarray chip.

10. The invention of claim 1 wherein said imaging spectrometer includes a two-dimensional Charge Coupled Device camera.

11. The invention of claim 1 wherein said imaging spectrometer includes a diffraction grating.

12. The invention of claim 1 including a software interface, said software interface controlling said imaging spectrometer.

13. The invention of claim 12 wherein said software interface coordinates Peak Wavelength Value determination with an x-y motion stage.

14. The invention of claim 12 wherein said software interface converts measured data into a Peak Wavelength Value.

15. The invention of claim 1, wherein said light source illuminates said biosensor from a sensor top surface.

16. The invention of claim 1 wherein said light source illuminates said biosensor from a sensor bottom surface.