Method and apparatus for detecting biomolecular interactions

• US 7,301,628 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2006
• Issued: 11/27/2007
• 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:
  US11/404,430
• Publication Number:
  US 20060181705A1
• Time in Patent Office: 593 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. A method of measuring biochemical surface interactions of a biosensor, said method comprising the steps of:

incubating said biosensor at a predetermined temperature;

providing a dual fiber optic probe with at least one illuminating fiber that is optically coupled to a light source, said illuminating fiber directing light towards a first surface of said biosensor;

providing at least one detecting fiber, said at least one detecting fiber detecting light reflected from said first surface of the biosensor;

optically coupling said at least one detecting fiber to a spectrometer; and

analyzing said reflected light from said first surface of said biosensor.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said analyzing step comprises determining a Peak Wavelength Value of said reflected light.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said biosensor further comprises a second surface opposite said first surface, said second surface having a sample placed thereon and wherein the method further comprises step of generating a two-dimensional Peak Wavelength Value map of said second sensor surface.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said spectrometer includes a one dimensional charge coupled device.

5. The invention of claim 3 wherein said two-dimensional Peak Wavelength Value map is generated by said spectrometer.

6. The invention of claim 1 further including a step of providing a software interface that assists in controlling said spectrometer.

7. The invention of claim 6 further comprising the step of generating with said software interface a visual representation of a Peak Wavelength Value of said reflected light.