Patent ID: 7914984

Claim:
An assay method comprising: providing a sample that is suspected of containing a target molecule; providing a signaling chromophore; providing a conformationally flexible cationic conjugated polymer (CCP) that upon excitation is capable of transferring energy to the signaling chromophore, said CCP comprising an aromatic monomeric unit having bonds to its two adjacent polymeric units which form an angle of less than about 155° with respect to one another; providing a sensor molecule that can bind to the target molecule, wherein a greater amount of emitted light is produced from the signaling chromophore upon excitation of the CCP in the presence of target; contacting the sample with the signaling chromophore, the sensor and the CCP in a solution under conditions in which the sensor can bind to the target, if present, and wherein the CCP can bind to the sensor and/or target, if present, wherein a signaling complex comprising the sensor, target, CCP and signaling chromophore is formed if the target is present; applying a light source that can excite the CCP; and detecting whether the light emitted from the signaling chromophore is increased in the presence of the sample.