| 摘要 |
The present invention relates to methods and an apparatus for determining the presence and concentration of an analyte in a sample and the binding of the analyte to a nucleic acid ligand that include measuring the fluorescence emitted by a rare earth element, i.e., terbium, in the presence of the analyte and the nucleic acid ligand. Specific embodiments include the use of terbium and nucleic acid ligands that specifically bind the mycotoxin ochratoxin. A, to detect and quantify ochratoxin A in, for example, food samples such as grain, wine, or beer. The detection of thrombin using terbium and a thrombin-specific nucleic acid ligand is also disclosed. The present invention also relates to a composition comprising a rare earth element as a cation that facilitates the binding of an analyte to a nucleic acid ligand of the analyte. |
