TOXIN ACTIVITY ASSAYS, DEVICES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS THEREFOR

摘要

Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward devices, system and method for conducting toxin activity assay using sedimentation. The toxin activity assay may include generating complexes which bind to a plurality of beads in a fluid sample. The complexes may include a target toxin and a labeling agent, or may be generated due to presence of active target toxin and/or labeling agent designed to be incorporated into complexes responsive to the presence of target active toxin. The plurality of beads including the complexes may be transported through a density media, wherein the density media has a lower density than a density of the beads and higher than a density of the fluid sample, and wherein the transporting occurs, at least in part, by sedimentation. Signal may be detected from the labeling agents of the complexes.

主权项

1. An apparatus for conducting a toxin activity assay, the apparatus comprising:
a substrate, wherein the substrate at least in part defines a channel; a fluid sample contained in the channel, wherein the fluid sample includes a plurality of beads having complexes formed thereon by action of an active toxin, individual ones of the complexes comprising a capture agent and a labeling agent; a detection region coupled to the channel and defined at least in part by the substrate and containing a density media, wherein the density media has a density higher than a density of the fluid sample and lower than a density of the plurality of beads; and wherein the channel and detection region are configured to transport the plurality of beads in the fluid sample from the channel through the density media responsive to a centrifugal force, and wherein at least a portion of the free labeling agent is restricted from transport through the density media.