MICROWAVE DIELECTRIC SPECTROSCOPY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSAYS OF PROTEINS AND OTHER BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES

摘要

Dielectric spectroscopy is carried out by coupling non­radiated microwave energy from an antenna to a sample to detect changes in the permittivity of the sample within the antenna's near field. The frequency response of the antenna exhibits resonant frequencies in a frequency range of interest. Changes in the sample as a result of changes in environmental conditions of the sample are exhibited as changes in the antenna's resonant frequency or frequencies. The changes in the positions of the peaks with changes in environmental conditions can be correlated to changes in the condition of the sample, such as unfolding of proteins with increases in temperature of the sample.