Biochip

• US 9,400,278 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2014
• Issued: 07/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH (C.H. Boehringer Sohn AG & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH (C.H. Boehringer Sohn AG & Co. KG)
• Inventors: Gumbrecht, Walter, Stanzel, Manfred
• Primary Examiner(s): Bhat, Narayan
• Application Number:
  US14/306,401
• Publication Number:
  US 20140294674A1
• Time in Patent Office: 770 Days
• Field of Search: 435/6.1, 435/283.1, 435/287.2, 536/23.1, 536/24.3, 422/82.01, 204/600, 204/643
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 1/34 Measuring or testing with condition measuring or sensing means, e.g. colony counters
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/026 Dielectric impedance spectroscopy electrochemical impedance spectroscopy for measuring corrosion G01N17/02
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5438 Electrodes

Abstract

A biochip includes a flat carrier and an array of spots containing catcher molecules which are arranged on the carrier. Each spot is associated with a microelectrode arrangement for impedance spectroscopic detection of binding events occurring between the catcher molecules and the target molecules applied via an analyte solution. In order to increase the sensitivity or the binding-specific measuring effects of the bio-chip, the electrode arrangement is at least partially embedded in a hydrophilic reaction layer containing catcher molecules and which is permeable to target molecules.

Claims

1. A biochip, comprising:

a flat carrier;

an array of spots containing catcher molecules, each spot being assigned a microelectrode arrangement for detecting binding events between the catcher molecules and target molecules applied via an analyte solution, wherein the microelectrode arrangement is at least a two-pole system, the microelectrode arrangement being at least partially embedded in a hydrophilic reaction layer which is permeable to target molecules and in which immobilized catcher molecules are distributed three-dimensionally, wherein the catcher molecules are configured to cause the binding events, wherein the hydrophilic reaction layer has a thickness of between 2 and 10 μ

m, and a sum of electrode width and electrode spacing is from 2 to 100 μ

m, wherein the microelectrode arrangement is an interdigital electrode arrangement, and wherein the hydrophilic reaction layer covers the interdigital electrode arrangement.

2. The biochip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flat carrier includes a semiconductor layer and an insulating layer connected thereto, the insulating layer carrying the microelectrode arrangement and the hydrophilic reaction layer on its side remote from the semiconductor layer.

3. The biochip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flat carrier is a DNA chip.

4. The biochip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microelectrode arrangement for detecting binding events is adapted for electrically detecting the binding events via a redox reaction.

5. A biochip, comprising:

a flat carrier;

an array of spots containing catcher molecules, each spot being assigned a microelectrode arrangement for detecting binding events between the catcher molecules and target molecules applied via an analyte solution, wherein the microelectrode arrangement is at least a two-pole system, the microelectrode arrangement being at least partially embedded in a hydrophilic reaction layer which is permeable to target molecules and in which immobilized catcher molecules are distributed three-dimensionally, wherein the catcher molecules are configured to cause the binding events, the hydrophilic reaction layer being at least four times the height of the microelectrode arrangement, wherein the flat carrier includes a semiconductor layer and an insulating layer connected thereto, the insulating layer carrying the microelectrode arrangement and the hydrophilic reaction layer on its side remote from the semiconductor layer, wherein the hydrophilic reaction layer comprises a hydrogel containing a cross- linking agent, and wherein the hydrophilic reaction layer is thermally cross-linked by the cross-linking agent, wherein the biochip further comprises a high frequency AC current provider and a voltmeter configured for electrically detecting the binding events via a redox reaction.

6. The biochip as claimed in claim 5, wherein the flat carrier is a DNA chip.

7. The biochip as claimed in claim 5, wherein the thickness of the reaction layer is between 2 and 10 μ

m.