DETECTION ASSAYS EMPLOYING MAGNETIC NANOPARTICLES

摘要

The present invention is directed to novel assays for detecting target molecules. The assays employ small size, detectably labeled, magnetic nanoparticles associated with a capture molecule. The detection assay is accelerated by applying magnetic field during the assay. The assays of the invention can be used to enhance the efficiency of the detection step in dot blot, Western blot and ELISA.

主权项

1. An assay for detecting a target molecule comprising:
a. Incubating a substrate potentially comprising at least one target molecule with detectably labeled magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) complexes, wherein said MNP complexes comprise MNP having a small diameter associated with a capture molecule capable of binding directly or indirectly to said target molecule; b. Applying magnetic field; and c. Subjecting the incubated substrate to a detection step;
whereby the presence of a detection signal is indicative of the presence of the target molecule and the signal intensity is indicative of the amount of the target molecule.