| 摘要 |
There is a constant need for increased sensitivity of antibody-based assays as well as a need for high affinity antibodies. Higher affinity molecules such as antibodies increase the specificity and sensitivity of assays. Both increased sensitivity and higher affinity can be achieved when multiple copies of a binding molecule are coupled to a flexible backbone. According to one embodiment of the invention, multiple copies of a detection molecule, such as, for example, an antibody or antibody fragment, are covalently linked to a high molecular weight water soluble polymer creates multivalent antibody constructs. The affinity or avidity increases markedly as multivalency increases and also, multiple copies of a signal molecule can be similarly added to the polymer. Thus, the construct comprises multiple copies of detection and signal molecules on a high molecular weight, water soluble, flexible polymer. Broadly, the invention comprises a multiplicity of detection molecules (D) and a multiplicity of signal molecules (S) on a polymer (P), such that Pmw (Dn, Sm), where n and m are greater than or equal to 2, and Pmw refers to an average molecular weight of the polymer. These molecules provide for both conventional and nonconventional assays, an increased sensitivity of antigen detection. |
