Patent ID: 7838307

Claim:
A method of performing an assay, comprising the steps of: combining a sample and a composition of lyotropic reversed cubic phase or reversed hexagonal phase liquid crystalline material which has one or more capture molecules and an associated fluorescent moiety, said composition of lyotropic reversed cubic phase or reversed hexagonal phase liquid crystalline material being in the form of a plurality of uncoated, charged particles, said combining step forming a dispersion containing said plurality of uncoated, charged particles and said sample; allowing one or more analyte molecules in said sample to bind with said one or more capture molecules in said composition of lyotropic reversed cubic phase or reversed hexagonal phase liquid crystalline material; binding said composition of lyotropic liquid reversed cubic phase or reversed hexagonal phase liquid crystalline material obtained from said dispersion to a substrate; and measuring the analyte molecules bound to said capture molecules using said associated fluorescent moiety.