Patent ID: 6180340
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: C12Q,G01N,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for detecting an analyte in a sample comprising the steps of:providing a labeled probe reagent comprising two or more labeled probes, each of the labeled probes comprising a different, separately detectable label joined to a probe that specifically binds to a target region of an analyte, wherein each probe specifically binds to a target region that differs from that bound by another probe in the labeled probe reagent;contactingi) a sample containing the analyte, andii) the labeled probe reagent, wherein each of the labeled probes is present in a predetermined molar amount sufficient to specifically bind to a predetermined amount of the analyte, and wherein the predetermined molar amount of each labeled probe differs from that of another labeled probe present in the labeled probe reagent thereby allowing the labeled probe reagent to detect the analyte over a concentration range that is greater than the concentration range of the analyte detected by one labeled probe present in the labeled probe reagent;incubating the sample and the labeled probe reagent under conditions favoring specific binding of the probes with the analyte, thereby forming at least one specific binding complex comprising at least one labeled probe and the analyte; anddetecting at least one separately detectable label present in a specific binding complex, thereby indicating that the analyte is present in the sample in a concentration range detected by the separately detectable label detected, wherein each separately detectable label is distinguishable from another separately detectable label.