Chromatographic assay system

Abstract

The present application discloses an analyte detection apparatus having at least one reservoir area and a wicking membrane, wherein a labeled specific binding partner is impregnated on the reservoir area; and a region on the wicking membrane where at least one chemical component is immobilized.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The invention relates to the field of high sensitivity detection of molecules, especially biomolecules. The invention also relates to using fluorescent labels.[0003]2. General Background and State of the Art[0004]Ultrasensitive immunoassay methods are developed and used in clinical diagnostics to measure extremely low concentrations of specific compounds in highly complex samples. Although the sensitivity, reliability, rapidity, simplicity, and cost of these methods have steadily improved, further improvements are still needed and possible (Hampl J, et al., Upconverting phosphor reporters in chromatographic assays. Analytical Biochemistry, 2001;288, 176-187; Unger M. et al, Single-molecule fluorescence observed with mercury lamp illumination. Biotechniques 1999;27:1008-1014; and Weiss S. Fluorescence spectroscopy of single biomolecules. Science 1999;283:1676-1683). The current trend toward miniaturized, multianalyte met...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]In one respect, the present invention is directed to a chromatographic test system that uses highly sensitive europium particle as a label. Chromatographic assay can give rapid result, conveniently (mostly one step) with reasonable sensitivity. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a sensitive nucleic acid detection device and system thereof. Application of a fluorescent rare earth chelate incorporated into a matrix provides a highly sensitive assay.

[0011]In another aspect, the invention is directed to a genetic materials detection system for the presence of analytes such as RNA virus, DNA virus, RNA or DNA of the cell components via either a non-polymerase chain reaction or polymerase chain reaction nucleic acid-based approach. This detection system is fast, easy to use and has high sensitivity and specificity.

[0014]The inventive product can be used on-site, reducing the need for sample transportation to off-site premises.

[0016]Assay procedure for this one-step method is simple to perform and test result is reading within 15 minutes more or less and does not require any additional steps.

[0026]The present invention is also directed to high sensitivity nucleic acid detection system. The nucleic acid based detection system of the invention is able to amplify a signal from a low concentration of specific genomic DNA or RNA sequences from biological samples. This method is also unique, specific, simple, and the amplifying system is easy to operate in a field-deployable detection module.

Problems solved by technology

Directly detectable labels such as fluorophores suffer from limited sensitivity, and enzyme-amplified or dissociation-enhanced methods lose spatial information.

Detecting low levels of target marker in a sample using classic fluorochrome is sometimes difficult and prone to errors because specific fluorescence signals tend to be low and are usually mixed with nonspecific signals.

Furthermore, autofluorescence produced from specimen can cause interference.

The disadvantage of using the lanthanide phosphors is the lack of light-absorbing groups that effectively transfer the absorbed energy to the lanthanide ions.

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