Method and apparatus for detecting biomolecular interactions

• US 7,327,454 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2006
• Issued: 02/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: X-Body Incorporated (Bristol-Myers Squibb Company)
• Original Assignee: SRLL Biosystems Incorporated
• Inventors: DiFilippi, Frank, Li, Peter Y., Cunningham, Brian T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Toatley, Jr.; Gregory J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Geisel; Kara E
• Application Number:
  US11/404,485
• Publication Number:
  US 20070041012A1
• Time in Patent Office: 663 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. An instrument for detecting light reflected from a surface of a biosensor, said instrument comprising:

a light source;

an illuminating fiber optically coupled to said light source, said illuminating fiber illuminating an area of said surface of said biosensor;

a detecting fiber for detecting radiation reflected from said surface;

a spectrometer receiving said reflected radiation; and

wherein the instrument is further configured for determining a peak wavelength value of said reflected radiation; and

wherein said biosensor comprises;

a grating comprised of a material having a high refractive index, said grating having a depth and a period; and

a substrate layer that supports said grating;

wherein, when said biosensor is illuminated with light from said light source a resonant grating effect is produced, and wherein said depth of and period of said grating are less than the wavelength of the resonant grating effect.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein a narrow band of optical wavelengths is reflected from said biosensor when the biosensor is illuminated with a broad band of optical wavelengths from said light source.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein the instrument comprises a colorimetric resonant optical biosensor detection instrument.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said biosensor is coupled to a liquid containing vessel.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein the illuminating fiber and the detecting fiber are provided in a unitary optical fiber probe.

6. An instrument for detecting light reflected from a surface of a biosensor, said instrument comprising:

a white light source;

an illuminating fiber optically coupled to said light source, said illuminating fiber illuminating an area of said surface of said biosensor;

a detecting fiber for detecting radiation reflected from said surface;

a spectrometer receiving said reflected radiation; and

wherein the instrument is further configured for determining a peak wavelength value of said reflected radiation;

wherein the illuminating fiber and the detecting fiber are provided in a unitary optical fiber probe; and

wherein said optical fiber probe includes a collimating lens for collimating white light from said light source.

7. An instrument for detecting light reflected from a surface of a biosensor, said instrument comprising:

a light source;

an illuminating fiber optically coupled to said light source, said illuminating fiber illuminating an area of said surface of said biosensor;

a detecting fiber for detecting radiation reflected from said surface;

a spectrometer receiving said reflected radiation; and

wherein the instrument is further configured for determining a peak wavelength value of said reflected radiation; and

an incubator that incubates said biosensor at a predetermined temperature.