Detection of biospecific interactions using amplified differential time domain spectroscopy signal
First Claim
1. A method for detecting specific associations between a tethered molecule and an untethered target molecule, the method comprising:
- a) selecting a molecule to serve as the tethered molecule;
b) alternately impinging THz radiation onto the tethered molecule and onto a sample including a further one of the tethered molecule and the untethered target molecule;
c) detecting the radiation impinged on the tethered molecule to form a reference signal and the radiation impinged on the sample including the further tethered and target molecules to form a sample signal; and
d) comparing the reference signal with the sample signal to generate a specimen signal indicative of an association between the selected tethered and target molecules,wherein the target is bound onto a signal amplifying medium.
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Abstract
A method for detecting specific associations between a tethered molecule and an untethered target molecule. The method comprises (1) selecting a tethered molecule; (2) alternately impinging THz radiation onto the tethered molecule and onto a sample including the tethered and untethered target molecules; (3) detecting the radiation impinged on the tethered molecule to form a reference signal and the radiation impinged on the sample to form a sample signal; and (4) comparing the reference signal with the sample signal to generate a specimen signal indicative of an association between the selected tethered and target molecules. The method will detect whether a selected tethered molecule and the desired target exhibit any affinity or, in cases where the affinity is known, will detect the presence of the target molecule in a sample. Also provided is an apparatus for detecting specific associations between a tethered molecule and an untethered target molecule.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for detecting specific associations between a tethered molecule and an untethered target molecule, the method comprising:
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a) selecting a molecule to serve as the tethered molecule; b) alternately impinging THz radiation onto the tethered molecule and onto a sample including a further one of the tethered molecule and the untethered target molecule; c) detecting the radiation impinged on the tethered molecule to form a reference signal and the radiation impinged on the sample including the further tethered and target molecules to form a sample signal; and d) comparing the reference signal with the sample signal to generate a specimen signal indicative of an association between the selected tethered and target molecules, wherein the target is bound onto a signal amplifying medium. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12)
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9. A method for detecting specific associations between a tethered molecule and an untethered target molecule, the method comprising:
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a) selecting a molecule to serve as the tethered molecule; b) alternately impinging THz radiation onto the tethered molecule and onto a sample including a further one of the tethered molecule and the untethered target molecule; c) detecting the radiation impinged on the tethered molecule to form a reference signal and the radiation impinged on the sample including the further tethered and target molecules to form a sample signal; and d) comparing the reference signal with the sample signal to generate a specimen signal indicative of an association between the selected tethered and target molecules, wherein the tethered molecule is biotin and the target molecule is avidin, and the avidin molecule is bound onto agarose beads and the agarose beads serve to amplify the sample signal.
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Specification