Systems and methods for characterization of molecules

摘要

The present invention generally provides systems and methods for the detection, identification, or characterization of differences between properties or behavior of corresponding species in two or more mixtures comprised of molecules, including biomolecules and/or molecules able to interact with biomolecules, using techniques such as partitioning. The experimental conditions established as distinguishing between the mixtures of the molecules using the systems and methods of the invention can also be used, in some cases, for further fractionation and/or characterization of the biomolecules and/or other molecules, using techniques such as single-step or multiple-step extraction, and/or by liquid-liquid partition chromatography. The methods could also be used for discovering and identifying markers associated with specific diagnostics, and can be used for screening for such markers once discovered and identified during diagnostics screening.

主权项

1. A method for identifying prostate-specific antigen (PSA) isoforms, comprising:
partitioning PSA contained within a first mixture of species in at least a first phase and a second phase of a first aqueous multi-phase partitioning system, wherein the second phase is immiscible with the first phase at equilibrium; determining a relative measure of interaction between the PSA contained within the first mixture of species, and the first and second phases of the first partitioning system; partitioning PSA contained within a second mixture of species in at least a first phase and a second phase of the first aqueous multi-phase partitioning system, wherein the second phase is immiscible with the first phase at equilibrium; determining a relative measure of interaction between the PSA contained within the second mixture of species, and the first and second phases of the first partitioning system; and based on a difference in the relative measure of interaction of the PSA of the first mixture of species with the first and second phases of the first partitioning system, versus the relative measure of interaction of the PSA of the second mixture of species with the first and second phases of the first partitioning system, identifying the PSA in the first mixture of species and the PSA in the second mixture of species as isoforms of each other.