Patent ID: 8569078
Filing Date: 2013-10-29
Classification: A61K,B82Y,C07F,C07H,C07K,C12Q,G01N,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An assay for determining aggregate formation in a fluid sample, the assay comprising: (i) adding a mixture of at least two populations of conjugates that specifically bind to a target molecule to a fluid sample under conditions that enable aggregate formation, wherein each conjugate in the first population comprises a superparamagnetic nanoparticle linked to a plurality of first binding moieties that bind to a first binding site on the target molecule, and wherein each conjugate in the second population comprises a superparamagnetic nanoparticle linked to a plurality of second binding moieties that bind to a second binding site on the target molecule; and (ii) measuring the spin-spin (T2) relaxation time of the fluid to determine whether an aggregate has formed, wherein the aggregate remains in solution while measuring the spin-spin (T2) relaxation time.