Method and apparatus 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 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.
1. An instrument for detecting a reflected wavelength from a surface of a biosensor, comprising:
a light source for generating a collimated quantity of white light;
an illuminating fiber optically coupled to said light source, said illuminating fiber illuminating an illumination area of said surface of said biosensor;
a detecting fiber for detecting light reflected from said surface; and
a measuring apparatus including a spectrometer that processes said reflected light and derives a peak wavelength value of said reflected light.
2. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a software interface for said measuring apparatus that derives said Peak Wavelength Value.
3. The invention of claim 1 , wherein said spectrometer comprises a two-dimensional imaging spectrometer.
4. The invention of claim 1 , wherein said spectrometer comprises a single point optical spectrometer having a one-dimensional charge-coupled device.
5. The invention of claim 1 further comprising an incubation chamber for incubating the biosensor.
6. The invention of claim 1 , wherein the biosensor further comprises a second surface opposite said surface and said second surface comprising a one- or two-dimensional grating structure, wherein a sample to be tested is bound to said grating structure.
7. The invention of claim 6 , wherein said grating structure is affixed to the bottom of a liquid-containing structure.