Method and apparatus for detecting biomolecular interactions

• US 7,142,296 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2002
• Issued: 11/28/2006
• 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., DeFilippi, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Hwa (Andrew)
• Assistant Examiner(s): GEISEL, KARA E
• Application Number:
  US10/180,647
• Publication Number:
  US 20030032039A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,616 Days
• Field of Search: 356326-328, 356445-446, 356/246
• US Class Current: 356/326
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0645 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0654 Lenses; Optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0829 Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5085 for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/253 for batch operation, i.e. multisample apparatus analytical automats G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/4788 Diffraction for sizing particles G01N15/0205
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/7743 the reagent-coated grating coupling light in or out of the waveguide
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0635 Structured illumination, e.g. with grating
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/08 Optical fibres; light guides
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0833 Fibre array at detector, resolving
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0846 Fibre interface with sample, e.g. for spatial resolution
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/1248 Validating from signal shape, slope, peak
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54373 involving physiochemical end-point determination, e.g. wave-guides, FETS, gratings
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/06 Means for illuminating specimens
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/1809 with pitch less than or comparable to the wavelength
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/1814 structurally combined with one or more further optical elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors, prisms or other diffraction gratings G02B5/189 takes precedence

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 apparatus for detecting biochemical interactions occurring on the surface of a biosensor includes a light source. A first optical fiber is coupled to the light source and illuminates the biosensor. A second optical fiber detects a wavelength reflected from the biosensor. A spectrometer determines spectra of a reflected signal from the biosensor.

Claims

1. An apparatus for detecting biochemical interactions occurring on a surface of a biosensor, said apparatus comprising:

a biosensor comprisina a one- or two-dimensional periodic optical grating for transmitting light therethrough, and wherein a surface thereof receives a biochemical substance to be detected;

a light source;

a first optical fiber coupled to said light source, said first optical fiber illuminating said biosensor,

a second optical fiber that detects a signal reflected from said surface of said biosensor; and

a spectrometer for determining spectra of said reflected signal from said biosensor.

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

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said spectrometer is used to determine a peak wavelength value of said reflected signal.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said spectrometer is a single-point spectrometer.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said biosensor is affixed to a fluid containing vessel and comprises a bottom portion of the fluid containing vessel.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said fluid containing vessel is selected from a group consisting of a microtiter plate, a micro fluidic device, a mieroarray chip, a petri dish, a microscope slide, and a flask.

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein the grating comprises a sub-wavelength structured surface in which the period of the grating is less than the wavelength of incident light from the first optical fiber.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said reflected signal reflects from a bottom surface of said biosensor and wherein the surface receiving the biochemical substance to be detected is deposited on the top surface of the biosensor.

9. The invention of claim 1, further comprising a translation mechanism for moving said biosensor relative to said second optical fiber.