Patent ID: 7736889
Filing Date: 2010-06-15
Classification: G01N,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for improving the sensitivity and selectivity of analyte detection in a binding assay labeled with micrometer-scale particles, comprising carrying out a binding assay wherein a capture surface capable of binding by specific molecular recognition an analyte of interest is exposed to a sample to be tested and to a detectable micrometer-scale particle label capable of binding by specific molecular recognition to said analyte or to an intervening receptor that binds specifically to the analyte and to the micrometer-scale particle label, wherein if said sample contains said analyte, said analyte is bound by specific molecular recognition to said capture surface and also bound by specific molecular recognition to at least one said particle label; applying a controlled and uniform laminar flow at said capture surface, said flow producing a Stokes force on said particle labels of at least 1 pN, wherein said Stokes force preferentially removes said particle labels at said capture surface that are not specifically bound to said analyte specifically bound to said capture surface, wherein said flow operates normally through a porous substrate on the surface of which said particle labels are bound; and detecting said particle labels specifically bound to said analyte specifically bound to said capture surface.