APPARATUS FOR DETECTION OF AN IMMOBILIZED ANALYTE

摘要

A method and apparatus for the detection of the reaction between receptive material and an analyte, whereby the reaction itself generates an optical interference signal. The assay technique is based on the affinity of the analyte for the receptive ligand. The resultant reaction between the two specific binding partners provides for qualitative and/or quantitative detection of the chemical, biochemical, or biological analyte in the sample. The assay apparatus is comprised of (a) a substrate that can be coated with anti-reflective optical layers; (b) a thin film of anti-reflective material capable of being activated to bind the receptive material; (c) a layer of receptive material capable of interacting with the species to be assayed. The components a-c result in a pre-formed surface that is otpically active with respect to radiation at least over a certain band of wavelengths. The assay technique comprises the steps of (d) contacting the pre-formed surface with the sample; and (e) observing the optical properties of the pre-formed surface in order to visually detect a change in the optical properties of the pre-formed surface as a result of the binding of the analyte within the sample to the receptive material.