DEHYDRATION/REHYDRATION OF MARKED LIPOSOMES ON A TEST DEVICE

摘要

The present invention relates to a method for making a test device for detecting or quantifying an analyte in a sample. This method involves contacting a membrane with a mixture including derivatized, marker-loaded liposomes, and substantially dehydrating the mixture on the membrane under vacuum pressure at a temperature of from about 4 ~C to about 80 ~C, wherein said mixture further includes one or more sugars in an amount sufficient to promote the stability of the liposomes during dehydration and rehydration. T he present invention also relates to a test device and method for detecting or quantifying an analyte in a sample. The test device includes a membrane whic h includes an immobilized liposome zone, wherein the immobilized liposome zone has bound thereto dehydrated, derivatized, marker-loaded liposomes dehydrate d under vacuum pressure at a temperature of from about 4 ~C to about 80 ~C fro m a mixture which includes one or more sugars in an amount sufficient to promo te the stability of the liposomes during dehydration and rehydration.