Methods and compositions for assaying a sample for an aggregant
First Claim
1. A method of assaying a sample for an aggregant, the method comprising:
- providing an aggregation sensor soluble in a polar medium, the aggregation sensor comprising(a) a polymer comprisinga plurality of first optically active units forming a conjugated system, having a first absorption wavelength at which the first optically active units absorb light to form an excited state that can emit light of a first emission wavelength, anda plurality of solubilizing functionalities; and
(b) one or more second optically active units that can receive energy from the excited state of the first optically active unit;
said aggregation sensor comprising at least three first optically active units per second optically active unit, wherein a solution of the aggregation sensor emits detectably less light at the first emission wavelength when the concentration of first optically active units within energy-transferring distance of at least one second optically active unit is increased;
combining the aggregation sensor and the sample in solution, wherein the aggregation sensor is present at a concentration at which there is detectable emission at the first emission wavelength in the absence of sample;
contacting the aggregation sensor with light of the first absorption wavelength; and
detecting whether the optical properties of the aggregation sensor are altered in the presence of the sample,wherein the second optically active unit is grafted to the conjugated system and forms part of the conjugated system.
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Abstract
This invention relates to an aggregation sensor useful for the detection and analysis of aggregants in a sample, and methods, articles and compositions relating to such a sensor. The sensor comprises first and second optically active units, where energy may be transferred from an excited state of the first optically active unit to the second optically active unit. The second optically active unit is present in a lesser amount, but its relative concentration is increased upon aggregation, increasing its absorption of energy from the first optically active units. This increase in energy transfer can be detected in variety of formats to produce an aggregation sensing system for various aggregants, including for quantitation. Other variations of the inventions are described further herein.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of assaying a sample for an aggregant, the method comprising:
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providing an aggregation sensor soluble in a polar medium, the aggregation sensor comprising (a) a polymer comprising a plurality of first optically active units forming a conjugated system, having a first absorption wavelength at which the first optically active units absorb light to form an excited state that can emit light of a first emission wavelength, and a plurality of solubilizing functionalities; and (b) one or more second optically active units that can receive energy from the excited state of the first optically active unit; said aggregation sensor comprising at least three first optically active units per second optically active unit, wherein a solution of the aggregation sensor emits detectably less light at the first emission wavelength when the concentration of first optically active units within energy-transferring distance of at least one second optically active unit is increased; combining the aggregation sensor and the sample in solution, wherein the aggregation sensor is present at a concentration at which there is detectable emission at the first emission wavelength in the absence of sample; contacting the aggregation sensor with light of the first absorption wavelength; and detecting whether the optical properties of the aggregation sensor are altered in the presence of the sample, wherein the second optically active unit is grafted to the conjugated system and forms part of the conjugated system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification