Systems and methods for enhancing fluorescent detection of target molecules in a test sample
First Claim
1. A method of enhancing fluorescent detection of target molecules in a test sample, for use with an irradiating device, the method comprising the steps of:
- combining one or more first fluorophores and one or more second fluorophores with the test sample, wherein the first fluorophores comprise quantum dots of one or more quantum dot types, so as to secure the first fluorophores and the second fluorophores relative to the target molecules if present in the test sample, and so as to secure the second fluorophores within a predetermined maximum range of the first fluorophores, wherein the predetermined maximum range is less than about 10 micrometers (μ
m); and
irradiating at least the first fluorophores with electromagnetic frequency (EMF) radiation via the irradiating device, such that the first fluorophores absorb the EMF radiation and thereafter emit a first fluorescent signal, such that a radiative flux of the first fluorescent signal is substantially unabated over the predetermined maximum range, and such that if the target molecules are present in the test sample, the second fluorophores absorb a first incident portion of the first fluorescent signal and thereafter emit a second fluorescent signal, with the second fluorescent signal being distinguishable from the first fluorescent signal;
such that the first fluorescent signal is operatively detectable, together with the second fluorescent signal if the target molecules are present in the test sample;
wherein the first fluorophores are characterized by a first fluorophore emission profile corresponding to the first fluorescent signal; and
wherein the second fluorophores are characterized by a second fluorophore absorption profile which substantially overlaps with the first fluorophore emission profile;
wherein the first fluorophores are bound by microbeads; and
further comprising a step of binding biorecognition molecules (BRMs) with the microbeads and the target molecules, so as to as aforesaid secure the first fluorophores relative to the target molecules if present the test sample; and
further comprising a step of binding marker molecules with the second fluorophores and the target molecules, so as to as aforesaid secure the second fluoro hones relative to the target molecules if present in the test sample.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for enhancing fluorescent detection of target molecules in a test sample are for use with an irradiating device. First fluorophores are provided for absorption of EMF radiation, and emission of a first signal. Second fluorophores are provided for partial absorption of the first signal, and emission of a second signal distinguishable from the first signal. The fluorophores are combined with the test sample, and secured to the target molecules and relative to one another. After the first fluorophores receive the EMF radiation from the irradiating device, the first signal is detected, together with the second spectral signal if the target molecules are present in the test sample.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method of enhancing fluorescent detection of target molecules in a test sample, for use with an irradiating device, the method comprising the steps of:
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combining one or more first fluorophores and one or more second fluorophores with the test sample, wherein the first fluorophores comprise quantum dots of one or more quantum dot types, so as to secure the first fluorophores and the second fluorophores relative to the target molecules if present in the test sample, and so as to secure the second fluorophores within a predetermined maximum range of the first fluorophores, wherein the predetermined maximum range is less than about 10 micrometers (μ
m); andirradiating at least the first fluorophores with electromagnetic frequency (EMF) radiation via the irradiating device, such that the first fluorophores absorb the EMF radiation and thereafter emit a first fluorescent signal, such that a radiative flux of the first fluorescent signal is substantially unabated over the predetermined maximum range, and such that if the target molecules are present in the test sample, the second fluorophores absorb a first incident portion of the first fluorescent signal and thereafter emit a second fluorescent signal, with the second fluorescent signal being distinguishable from the first fluorescent signal;
such that the first fluorescent signal is operatively detectable, together with the second fluorescent signal if the target molecules are present in the test sample;wherein the first fluorophores are characterized by a first fluorophore emission profile corresponding to the first fluorescent signal; and
wherein the second fluorophores are characterized by a second fluorophore absorption profile which substantially overlaps with the first fluorophore emission profile;wherein the first fluorophores are bound by microbeads; and
further comprising a step of binding biorecognition molecules (BRMs) with the microbeads and the target molecules, so as to as aforesaid secure the first fluorophores relative to the target molecules if present the test sample; andfurther comprising a step of binding marker molecules with the second fluorophores and the target molecules, so as to as aforesaid secure the second fluoro hones relative to the target molecules if present in the test sample. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for enhancing fluorescent detection of target molecules in a test sample, for use with an irradiating device, the system comprising:
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(a) one or more first fluorophores characterized by an ability to absorb electromagnetic frequency (EMF) radiation, and by an ability to emit a first fluorescent signal following absorption of the EMF radiation, wherein the first fluorophores comprise quantum dots of one or more quantum dot types; and (b) one or more second fluorophores characterized by an ability to absorb a first incident portion of the first fluorescent signal, and by an ability to emit a second fluorescent signal following absorption of the first incident portion, with the second fluorescent signal being distinguishable from the first fluorescent signal; wherein the first fluorophores and the second fluorophores are further characterized in that; (i) when operatively combined with the test sample, the first fluorophores and the second fluorophores are secured relative to the target molecules if present in the test sample, such that the second fluorophores are secured within a predetermined maximum range of the first fluorophores, wherein the predetermined maximum range is less than about 10 micrometers (μ
m);(ii) when at least the first fluorophores are operatively irradiated with the EMF radiation via the irradiating device, the first fluorophores emit the first fluorescent signal, such that a radiative flux of the first fluorescent signal is substantially unabated over the predetermined maximum range, and if the target molecules are present in the test sample, the second fluorophores absorb the first incident portion of the first fluorescent signal and emit the second fluorescent signal whereby the first fluorescent signal is operatively detectable, together with the second fluorescent signal if the target molecules are present in the test sample; wherein the first fluorophores are characterized by a first fluorophore emission profile corresponding to the first fluorescent signal; and
the second fluorophores are characterized by a second fluorophore absorption profile which substantially overlaps with the first fluorophore emission profile;wherein the first fluorophores are bound by microbeads; and
further comprising biorecognition molecules (BRMs) characterized by an ability to operatively bind with the microbeads and the target molecules, so as to secure the first fluorophores relative to the target molecules if present in the test sample; andfurther comprising marker molecules characterized by an ability to operatively bind with the second fluorophores and the target molecules, so as to secure the second fluorophores relative to the target molecules if present in the test sample. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification