Magnetic particle tagged reagents and techniques

摘要

Methods for separating, in a continuous, multizone fluid medium, cells, particles, or other molecules of interest (MOI) from associated or contaminating unwanted materials not of interest (MNOI). The invention involves forced movement of MOI into certain zones having properties which deter the entry of unwanted materials. Differential movement of MOI and MNOI occurs by active counterforces that move MNOI but not MOI. MOI are tagged with magnetic particles and moved with a magnetic field through a fluid, or zones, of higher specific gravity that prevents, by flotation counterforce, unwanted less dense materials from entering.;Surfaces specifically coated with reactants are reactive with the MOI in the tagged magnetic particle complex and of buoyant or other forces are used to remove any unbound material from the surface before reading. Readable labels, in addition to the magnetic particle tagged complex itself, such as enzymes, fluorophors, chemiluminescent materials, radioactive isotopes, chromogenic and fluorogenic substrates and other labels may be used. In most embodiments, materials of interest are delivered to a special final zone for reading or harvesting. The invention applies to many assays, diagnostic tests, separative procedures and chemical syntheses.

主权项

1. A method for separating materials of interest (MOI) from materials not of interest or interfering materials (MNOI) in a liquid medium which comprises:
1. providing in a vessel
a. a continuous liquid medium comprising at least two separate liquid zones wherein at least one of said liquid zones has a buoyant effect on MNOI and is repugnant to the presence of MNOI in said at least one liquid zone,b. a sample suspected of comprising a MOI wherein said sample may or may not constitute one of said liquid zones,c. a movable moiety which is capable of binding with a MOI, but not with an MNOI, to form a complex with said MOI if said MOI is present in said vessel,d. a labeled second moiety capable of binding with said complex, but not with said MNOI