US 6,982,147 B2
Apparatus for assaying biopolymer binding by means of multiple measurements under varied conditions
Glen H. Erikson, Providenciales (Turks and Caicos Islands)
Assigned to Ingeneus Corporation, Bridgetown (Barbados)
Filed on Apr. 10, 2002, as Appl. No. 10/120,092.
Application 10/120092 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/911042, filed on Jul. 23, 2001.
Application 09/911042 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/490273, filed on Jan. 24, 2000, granted, now 6,265,170, filed on Jul. 24, 2001.
Prior Publication US 2002/0123066 A1, Sep. 05, 2002
Int. Cl. C12Q 1/68 (2006.01); C12N 15/00 (2006.01); C12N 15/63 (2006.01); C12N 1/20 (2006.01); C07H 21/04 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 435—6 19 Claims
 
1. An apparatus for assaying specific binding of a probe to a target, said apparatus comprising:
a sample support for supporting a sample containing the probe and the target;
a light source for irradiating the sample;
an optical train for conveying light from the light source to the sample;
a light detector for detecting light emitted from the sample;
an electricity source for providing an electric charge through the sample;
an electrical property detector for detecting an electrical property of the sample; and
a data analysis device in communication with the light detector and the electrical property detector, wherein the data analysis device is adapted to:
(a) (1) produce an optical determination of probe-target binding as a function of light emitted from the sample,
(2) produce an electrical determination of probe-target binding as a function of the electrical property, and
(3) compare the optical determination with the electrical determination to assay specific binding of the probe to the target; or
(b) (1) produce a pre-electrification determination of probe-target binding as a function of light emitted from the sample prior to providing the electric charge through the sample,
(2) produce a post-electrification determination of probe-target binding as a function of light emitted from the sample concurrent with and/or subsequent to providing the electric charge through the sample, and
(3) compare the pre-electrification determination with the post-electrification determination to assay specific binding of the probe to the target.