Lead Inventors: William R. Moyle, Ph.D.; Robert E. Canfield, M.D.
Biomolecule Binding Assays Require Multiple Binding Events for Improved Specificity
Biomolecule binding assays are staples of research and are widely used in clinical diagnostic tests. For instance, ELISA type binding assays are frequently used in screening for HIV and other pathogens. The tests rely either on a biological binding agent, such as a receptor with an affinity for the target ligand, or on an antibody against the ligand to form a complex with the target. The receptor or antibody can be fixed to a substrate and the degree of binding determined via a number of methods, such as competitive displacement of a lower affinity compound, and monitored through a variety of reporters, including fluorescent labels. In order to improve sensitivity and specificity as well as probe complex interactions and biological activity in different states combinatorial assays are needed which employ multiple binding events to select for behavior.
Multicomponent Binding Assay as Quantitative Assay Kit for Research and Diagnosis
The technology is a binding assay, which combines a biological receptor binding event, with an antibody binding event to create a hybrid assay utilizing both types of interactions to probe the target ligand. The biologically active compound, i.e. a receptor, typically effects a change in the biological activity of the target ligand, and subsequently effects its affinity for the monoclonal antibody. This assay is thus a two part binding assay involving formation of a complex between receptor, ligand, and antibody. Either receptor or antibody can be fixed to a substrate or the whole assay can be performed free in solution. Depending on the configuration, the receptor and/or antibody can be tagged with a reporter, and by varying the order of steps, i.e. incubating sample with receptor then antibody, versus antibody then receptor, can be used to determine, quantitatively, differences in activity of the target ligand. This assay has been used to study the interaction between lutenizing hormone receptor (LH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and is offered as a quantitative assay kit with all necessary reagents and analysis tools.
Applications:
• Multicomponent binding assay for use in research, which can distinguish and quantify different activations of the target ligand
• Highly sensitive binding assay for clinical diagnostic use
Advantages:
• New type of multi-component binding assay allows for study of target affinity in different activated states
• Offers improved sensitivity and specificity over purely antibody or receptor based assays
• Offered as a kit with all necessary components to perform this improved quantitative assay
Patent Status: Patent Issued: (US 5,284,778) ~ see link below.
Licensing Status: Available for Licensing