Patent ID: 6200818
Filing Date: 2001-03-13
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method for the detection of association, dissociation, linking or cleaving reactions and conformational changes of analytes in a sample using coincidence analysis, whereinthe sample contains at least two analytes labeled with different fluorescent dyes, and/or at least one analyte labeled with at least two different fluorescent dyes;the sample is illuminated by at least one laser for exciting the fluorescence emission of said at least two dyes;the fluorescent signals emitted by the sample which come from at least one measuring volume element V are detected by at least two detection units;the signals respectively detected in the detection units or time tracks derived therefrom are cut into arbitrary, but essentially simultaneous, time segments with freely selectable time channel widths;the number of signals contained in at least one time segment and/or the time intervals between signals within the time segments are established;for at least one time segment of the first detection unit, a coincidence analysis of the established data with at least one essentially simultaneous time segment of the second detection unit is performed;at least one statistical analysis of the results of the coincidence analysis is performed, and/or the results are subjected to a threshold analysis;said statistical analysis or at least one combination of several statistical analyses is evaluated for the presence of properties characteristic of an association, dissociation, linking or cleaving reaction or conformational change.