NON-COMPETITIVE IMMUNOASSAYS TO DETECT SMALL MOLECULES USING NANOPEPTAMERS

摘要

The present invention is directed to noncompetitive methods for detecting small analytes using nanopeptamers, and to devices useful for performing the methods. Nanopeptamers include a self-associating oligomeric protein that is attached to peptides that bind to an immune complex between the target analyte and a capture antibody. The noncompetitive methods allow for the direct detection of small analytes with increased sensitivity over competitive methods directed to the same target analyte, and provide a positive readout which is useful for rapid tests and on-site detection of small analytes such as such as pesticides, persistent organic pollutants, explosives, toxins, medicinal and abused drugs, and hormones.

主权项

1. A method for non-competitive detection of a small analyte, the method comprising:
(a) contacting at least one immune complex comprising an antibody specifically bound to the analyte, with an affinity agent comprising a self-associated oligomeric protein displaying multiple copies of a peptide, wherein at least one copy of the peptide specifically binds to the immune complex, and the peptide comprises from about 5 to about 50 amino acids; and (b) detecting the bound affinity agent, thereby detecting the analyte, where the analyte has a molecular weight of less than about 2500 daltons.