Patent ID: 6329205
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method of detecting an analyte that is a polymer or macromolecule that incorporates primary, secondary, or tertiary amines, comprising the steps of:a) combining a sample mixture that is thought to contain the analyte with a staining mixture that contains one or more europium complexes to form a combined mixture;wherein each europium complex independently comprises:i) a europium (III) ion;ii) at least one polydentate nitrogen donor ligand; andiii) at least one acetylacetonate ligand;b) incubating the combined mixture for a time sufficient for the europium complexes in the staining mixture to associate with the analyte in the sample mixture to form a stained analyte complex that gives a detectable luminescence response upon illumination;c) illuminating said stained analyte complex; andd) observing said luminescence response.