Method and apparatus for detecting biomolecular interactions

• US 7,298,477 B1
• Filed: 08/18/2006
• Issued: 11/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: X-Body Incorporated (Bristol-Myers Squibb Company)
• Original Assignee: Sru Biosystems Incorporated
• Inventors: Li, Peter Y., Cunningham, Brian T., DiFilippi, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Toatley, Jr.; Gregory J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Geisel; Kara E.
• Application Number:
  US11/506,639
• Publication Number:
  US 20070252987A1
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• Field of Search: 356/326, 356/445
• 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 instrument for detecting radiation from a surface of a biosensor having a surface grating structure, wherein a sample to be tested is placed on the surface grating structure, comprising:

a broadband light source;

an optical system directing collimated light from the broadband light source to the surface of the biosensor so as to illuminate the surface;

apparatus detecting radiation from the biosensor in response to the illumination from the optical system, and

a processing unit coupled to the detection apparatus programmed to derive a peak wavelength value of the detected radiation.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the apparatus detecting radiation from the biosensor comprises a two-dimensional imaging spectrometer.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein the apparatus detecting radiation from the biosensor further comprises a charge-coupled device.

4. The invention of claim 2, wherein the biosensor further comprises a second surface opposite said surface and said second surface comprising a one- or two-dimensional grating structure, wherein a sample to be tested is bound to said grating structure.

5. The invention of claim 4, wherein said grating structure is affixed to the bottom of a liquid-containing structure.

6. The invention of claim 4, wherein the apparatus detecting radiation comprises a spectrometer having a diffraction grating and a linear charge coupled device.

7. The invention of claim 4, further comprising an incubation enclosure for incubating the biosensor and a mechanism for moving the biosensor from the incubation enclosure to a position for reading by the light source, optical system and detection apparatus.