Methods and apparatus for improved luminescence assays using microparticles

• Main Authors: MARK T MARTIN, JAMES L. WILBUR, JACOB N. WOHLSTADTER, SATYANARAYANA GUDIBANDE, GEORGE B. SIGAL
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 12.07.1999
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: BEER; BIOCHEMISTRY; CHEMISTRY; COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL ORENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES; DERIVATIVES THEREOF; ENZYMOLOGY; INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIRCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; MEASURING; MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEICACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS; METALLURGY; MICROBIOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; NUCLEIC ACIDS; NUCLEOSIDES; NUCLEOTIDES; ORGANIC CHEMISTRY; PHYSICS; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; SPIRITS; SUGARS; TESTING; VINEGAR; WINE

The invention provides a reagent for carrying out ECL assays for an analyte-of-interest comprising an assay-ligand, said assay-ligand being linked to a soluble polymer comprising a plurality of electrochemiluminescence moieties. Also provided is a complex comprising: (a) an analyte-of-interest; (b) an assay-ligand linked to a soluble polymer, said polymer comprising a plurality of electrochemiluminescent moieties; and (c) an assay ligand immobilized on an electrode. Further provided is a method for conducting electrochemiluminescence measurements for a binding analyte-of-interest comprising the steps of: (a) forming a complex comprising (i) an assay-ligand linked to a soluble polymer, said polymer comprising a plurality of ECL moieties, said assay-ligand being capable of binding with said analyte or with; (ii) an assay-ligand immobilized on an electrode; and (b) conducting an electrochemiluminescence measurement at said electrode in the presence of electrochemiluminescence reactants.