Label-free high-throughput optical technique for detecting biomolecular interactions

1. A method of detecting binding of one or more specific binding substances to their respective binding partners comprising:

(a) illuminating a biosensor with light and detecting a first peak wavelength value (PWV), wherein the biosensor comprises:

(i) a two-dimensional grating;

(ii) a substrate that supports the two-dimensional grating; wherein the refractive index of the two-dimensional grating is greater than the refractive index of the substrate; and

(iii) one or more specific binding substances immobilized on the surface of the two-dimensional grating opposite of the substrate; wherein the one or more specific binding substances do not comprise detection labels, wherein when the biosensor is illuminated a resonant grating effect is produced on a reflected radiation spectrum, and wherein the depth and cross-sectional period of the two-dimensional grating are less than the wavelength of the resonant grating effect;

(b) applying one or more binding partners to the biosensor, wherein the binding partners do not comprise detection labels; and

(c) illuminating the biosensor with light and detecting a second PWV;

wherein, if the one or more specific binding substances have bound to their respective binding partners, then the second PWV is shifted as compared to the first PWV.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more specific binding substances are arranged in an array of distinct locations, and wherein each distinct location of the biosensor is illuminated.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the two-dimensional grating is comprised of a repeating pattern of shapes selected from the group consisting of squares, circles, ellipses, triangles, trapezoids, sinusoidal waves, ovals, rectangles and hexagons.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the two-dimensional grating is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide, titanium dioxide, tantalum oxide, and silicon nitride.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the two-dimensional grating has a cross-sectional period of about 0.01 microns to about 1 micron and a depth of about 0.01 microns to about 1 micron.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the two-dimensional grating is amine activated, aldehyde activated, or nickel activated.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises determining the quantity of one or more binding partners bound to the one or more specific binding substances immobilized on the biosensor by determining the difference between the first PWV and the second PWV.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more binding partners comprise one or more tags.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more specific binding substances are selected from the group consisting of nucleic acids, polypeptides, antigens, polyclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies, single chain antibodies (scFv), F(ab) fragments, F(ab') 2 fragments, Fv fragments, small organic molecules, cells, viruses, bacteria, and biological sample.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the biological sample is selected from the group consisting of blood, plasma, serum, gastrointestinal secretions, homogenates of tissues or tumors, synovial fluid, feces, saliva, sputum, cyst fluid, amniotic fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, peritoneal fluid, lung lavage fluid, semen, lymphatic fluid, tears, and prostatitc fluid.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the binding partners are selected from the group consisting of nucleic acids, polypeptides, antigens, polyclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies, single chain antibodies (scFv), F(ab) fragments, F(ab') 2 fragments, Fv fragments, small organic molecules, cells, viruses, bacteria, and biological sample.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the biological sample is selected from the group consisting of blood, plasma, serum, gastrointestinal secretions, homogenates of tissues or tumors, synovial fluid, feces, saliva, sputum, cyst fluid, amniotic fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, peritoneal fluid, lung lavage fluid, semen, lymphatic fluid, tears, and prostatitc fluid.

13. The method of claim 7 , wherein the one or more tags are selected from the group consisting of biotin, succinimidyl-6-[a-methyl-a-(2-pyridyl-dithio)toluamido] hexanoate (SMPT), dimethylpimelimidate (DMP), and histidine.

14. The method of claim 7 , wherein the one or more tags are reacted with streptavidin, horseradish peroxidase, or streptavidin coated nanoparticles, before step (c).