Patent ID: 6368866
Filing Date: 2002-04-09
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method of determining the TIBC of a sample, comprising:providing a sample containing a plurality of molecules of a serum protein having at least one iron binding site; contacting the sample with a sufficient amount of iron such that the at least one iron binding site of each of the plurality of molecules of the serum protein in the sample is saturated with iron, thereby forming a first complex comprising iron bound to the serum protein, with excess iron present in the sample remaining unbound; contacting the sample with a MRP which includes an iron binding ligand to bind excess unbound iron in the sample with the MRP, thereby forming a second complex comprising iron and the MRP; applying a magnetic field to the sample, thereby forming a TIBC sample phase, which includes the first complex and does not include the second complex; and evaluating the amount of iron in the TIBC sample phase, thereby determining TIBC.