Device for use in the detection of binding affinities

Abstract

A device (1) for use in the detection of binding affinities comprises a planar waveguide (2) arranged on a substrate (22). The waveguide (2) has an outer surface (21) and a plurality of incoupling lines (31) for coupling a beam of coherent light into the waveguide (2) such that a parallel beam of coherent light (62) propagates along the waveguide (2). The incoupling lines (31) are curved and have an increasing distance between adjacent incoupling lines (31). A divergent beam of coherent light (61) of a predetermined wavelength is coupled into the waveguide (2) such that it propagates along the waveguide (2). A plurality of binding sites (51) is attached to the outer surface (21) along at least one further plurality of diffraction lines arranged in an outcoupling section of the waveguide (2). These diffraction lines comprise a plurality of curved outcoupling lines (41) having a decreasing distance between adjacent outcoupling lines. They decouple a diffracted portion of coherent light from the planar waveguide (2), and the decoupled portion of coherent light (63) converges into a predetermined second focal location (631).

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a device for detecting binding affinities, and to a method according to the respective independent claims. Background technique [0002] The device is used in various applications as, for example, a biosensor. A particular application is the detection or monitoring of binding affinities or processes. For example, with the aid of such biosensors, various assays that detect the binding of a target sample to a binding site can be performed. Typically, a large number of such assays are performed on a biosensor at spots arranged in a two-dimensional microarray on the biosensor surface. The use of microarrays provides a tool to simultaneously detect binding affinities or processes of different target samples in high-throughput screening. In order to detect the binding affinity of a target sample to a specific binding site, e.g., the binding affinity of a target molecule to a specific capture molecule, a large number of cap...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0005] While it is in principle possible to use fluorescent labels to detect binding affinity, the technique has the disadvantage that the detected signal is generated by the fluorescent label and not by the binding partner itself

Additionally, labeling samples of interest requires additional preparative steps

Also, labeled target samples are relatively expensive

Another disadvantage is the falsification of the results caused by the steric hindrance of the fluorescent label at the target sample, which may prevent the binding of the target sample to the capture molecule

A further disadvantage is the falsification of results due to photofading or quenching effects of the markings

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