Patent ID: 6300082
Filing Date: 2001-10-09
Classification: G01N,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for determining the binding affinity between a pair of molecular species where one molecular species comprises at least a portion of a biological receptor such that said portion has binding affinity for a second molecular species, wherein said receptor is not an antibody, said apparatus comprising:(a) a light source which generates and transmits a light signal,(b) an optical waveguide which receives said transmitted light signal in which an evanescent field is generated;(c) a plurality of molecules of one member of said pair said molecules being affixed to a lateral surface of said optical waveguide;(d) a molecular tag attached to molecules of one member of said pair, said tag interacting with said evanescent field so that when a complex forms between members of the pair, the characteristics of said light signal propagating within said optical waveguide are altered; and(e) annularizing, detection and processing means, connected to said waveguide for kinetic monitoring of said characteristics of said light signal propagating within the optical waveguide.