Patent ID: 7632671
Filing Date: 2009-12-15
Classification: C12Q,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of determining the presence of a molecular target in a sample by exploiting specific interactions between the molecular target and two molecular probes, comprising: attaching a first molecular probe to a conductive bead with magnetic properties and forming a first molecular probe attached to the conductive bead; fixing a second molecular probe in a gap between two electrodes on a chip, wherein an open electric circuit is formed between the two electrodes; mixing a molecular target in a sample with the first molecular probe attached to the conductive bead and the second molecular probe, wherein the first molecular probe binds to a first part of the molecular target, the second molecular probe binds a second part of the molecular target and the first and second parts of the molecular target are different such that a complex comprising the molecular target, the first molecular probe attached to the conductive bead and the second molecular probe are formed; applying a magnetic field to the conductive bead of the complex and fixing the conductive bead of the complex in the gap between the two electrodes; applying an electric potential to the electrodes; and detecting a flow of electrical current from one of the electrodes to another of the electrodes, wherein the conductive bead fixed in the gap between the two electrodes permits electricity to pass the gap and causes the open circuit to close such that the electrical current flows from said one of the electrodes to said another of the electrodes, therefore the presence of the flow of the electrical current indicates the presence of the molecular target in the sample.