IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,142,296
Granted Patent B2
US 7,142,296 · App. 10/180,647 · Granted Nov 28, 2006

Method and apparatus for detecting biomolecular interactions

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,142,296
App. No.
10/180,647
Granted
Nov 28, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

Method and apparatus for detecting biomolecular interactions. The use of labels is not required and the methods may be performed in a high-throughput manner. An apparatus for detecting biochemical interactions occurring on the surface of a biosensor includes a light source. A first optical fiber is coupled to the light source and illuminates the biosensor. A second optical fiber detects a wavelength reflected from the biosensor. A spectrometer determines spectra of a reflected signal from the biosensor.

Claims (14)

1. An apparatus for detecting biochemical interactions occurring on a surface of a biosensor, said apparatus comprising:

a biosensor comprisina a one- or two-dimensional periodic optical grating for transmitting light therethrough, and wherein a surface thereof receives a biochemical substance to be detected;

a light source;

a first optical fiber coupled to said light source, said first optical fiber illuminating said biosensor,

a second optical fiber that detects a signal reflected from said surface of said biosensor; and

a spectrometer for determining spectra of said reflected signal from said biosensor.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said biosensor is a microarray chip.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said spectrometer is used to determine a peak wavelength value of said reflected signal.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said spectrometer is a single-point spectrometer.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said biosensor is affixed to a fluid containing vessel and comprises a bottom portion of the fluid containing vessel.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said fluid containing vessel is selected from a group consisting of a microtiter plate, a micro fluidic device, a mieroarray chip, a petri dish, a microscope slide, and a flask.

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein the grating comprises a sub-wavelength structured surface in which the period of the grating is less than the wavelength of incident light from the first optical fiber.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said reflected signal reflects from a bottom surface of said biosensor and wherein the surface receiving the biochemical substance to be detected is deposited on the top surface of the biosensor.

9. The invention of claim 1 , further comprising a translation mechanism for moving said biosensor relative to said second optical fiber.