Method and instrument for detecting biomolecular interactions
View Patent ↗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 instrument system for detecting a biochemical interaction on a biosensor. The system includes an array of detection locations comprises a light source for generating collimated white light. A beam splitter directs the collimated white light towards a surface of a sensor corresponding to the detector locations. A detection system includes an imaging spectrometer receiving the reflected light and generating an image of the reflected light.
1. An instrument for calculating a shift in peak wavelength due to presence of a sample on a colorimetric resonant optical biosensor, said instrument comprising:
an incubator assembly for incubating a colorimetric resonant optical biosensor having a periodic surface grating, the sample placed on the periodic surface grating;
an optical assembly, said optical assembly illuminating said biosensor with light and collecting reflected radiation from said biosensor;
a spectrometer receiving said reflected radiation; and
software deriving a shift in a peak wavelength value from said reflected and detected radiation due to the sample.
2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said biosensor is embedded within a bottom portion of a microtiter plate.
3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said optical assembly comprises a plurality of fiber optic probes.
4. The invention of claim 2 wherein said plurality of fiber optic probes comprise an illuminating fiber optic probe for illuminating said biosensor and a detecting fiber optic probe for detecting said reflected radiation.
5. The invention of claim 2 wherein said optical assembly comprises a beam splitter said beam splitter enables said illuminated light and said reflected light to share a common optical path.
6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said optical assembly includes a collimating lens, said collimating lens focuses said light on said biosensor surface.
7. An instrument for calculating a shift in peak wavelength due to presence of a sample on a colorimetric resonant optical biosensor, said instrument comprising:
an incubator assembly for incubating a colorimetric resonant optical biosensor having a periodic surface grating, the sample placed on the periodic surface grating;
an optical assembly, said optical assembly illuminating said biosensor with light and collecting reflected radiation from said biosensor;
a spectrometer receiving said reflected radiation; and
software deriving a shift in a peak wavelength value from said reflected and detected radiation due to the sample; wherein said biosensor comprises:
a first two-dimensional grating comprising a first refractive index material and having a top surface and a bottom surface, the first grating having a depth and period;
a substrate layer comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein said top surface of said substrate supports said bottom surface of said first two-dimensional grating; and
a second two-dimensional grating comprising a second refractive index material and having a top surface and a bottom surface, the second grating having and depth and period, wherein said bottom surface of said second two-dimensional grating is attached to said bottom surface of said substrate;
wherein, when said biosensor is illuminated two resonant grating effects are produced in the spectrum of said reflected radiation, and wherein said depth and period of both of said two-dimensional gratings are less than said wavelength of said resonant grating effects.