Patent ID: 6294333
Filing Date: 2001-09-25
Classification: C12Q,G01N

Abstract:
A method for assaying binding between at least one fluorophore-labeled compound and at least one unlabeled compound, said method comprising detecting a quenching effect on fluorescence emitted by said at least one fluorophore-labeled compound resulting from said binding, said quenching effect detecting comprising:providing a test medium comprising said at least one fluorophore-labeled compound and said at least one unlabeled compound;irradiating said test medium with radiation effective to cause said at least one fluorophore-labeled compound to emit fluorescent light; andcomparing a fluorescent intensity of said fluorescent light with a reference fluorescent intensity of a reference medium, wherein said quenching effect and said specific binding are detected when said fluorescent intensity is less than said reference fluorescent intensity,wherein:(a) said binding is specific and other than nucleobase to nucleobase;(b) said method is conducted:(i) without separating complexes of said at least one fluorophore-labeled compound and said at least one unlabeled compound from said at least one fluorophore-labeled compound prior to said quenching effect detecting; and(ii) without providing a signal quenching agent to quench said emitted fluorescence; and(c) said at least one fluorophore-labeled compound is:(i) a labeled nucleic acid to which said fluorophore is covalently bound and said at least one unlabeled compound is an unlabeled protein; or(ii) a labeled protein and said at least one unlabeled compound is an unlabeled nucleic acid.