Patent ID: 7592187
Filing Date: 2009-09-22
Classification: G01N,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of determining whether or not the binding of a target molecule to a ligand is specific, the method comprises: (i) dividing a sample containing the target molecule into first and second portions, and treating the first portion with a solid phase carrier comprising an immobilized inert substance to obtain a first once-treated liquid, (ii) treating the first once-treated liquid with a solid phase carrier comprising an immobilized ligand that binds the target molecule to obtain a first twice-treated liquid, (iii) extracting the target molecule bound to the ligand immobilized on the solid phase carrier in (ii) to obtain a first extract, (iv) treating the second portion with a solid phase carrier comprising the immobilized ligand as in step (ii) that binds the target molecule to obtain a second once-treated liquid, (v) treating the second once-treated liquid with a solid phase carrier comprising the immobilized ligand as in step (iv) that binds the target molecule to obtain a second twice-treated liquid, (vi) extracting the target molecule bound to the ligand immobilized on the solid phase carrier in (v) to obtain a second extract, (vii) comparing and/or analyzing the target molecule contained in the ligand-immobilized solid phase carrier first extract and the target molecule contained in the ligand-immobilized solid phase carrier second extract, and (viii) identifying the target molecule as being specific for the ligand if the target molecule is detected in the ligand-immobilized solid phase carrier first extract and not detected in the ligand-immobilized solid phase carrier second extract, or detected in the ligand-immobilized solid phase carrier second extract at a significantly lower level than in the ligand-immobilized solid phase carrier first extract.