METHODS FOR ISOLATING A TARGET ANALYTE FROM A HETEROGENOUS SAMPLE
The invention generally relates to methods of using compositions that include sets of magnetic particles, members of each set being conjugated to an antibody specific for a pathogen, and magnets to isolate a pathogen from a body fluid sample.
1 - 26 . (canceled)
27 . A method for isolating pathogen from a heterogeneous sample, the method comprising:
providing a vessel that contains a heterogeneous sample, the vessel being coupled to a fluidic device that comprises a magnet;
introducing to the vessel magnetic particles conjugated to pathogen-binding moieties;
binding the magnetic particles to a pathogen in the heterogeneous sample;
flowing the heterogeneous sample from the vessel through a channel in the fluidic device; and
magnetically separating the pathogen in the sample by capturing the magnetic particles with the magnet.
28 . The method of claim 27 , further comprising the step of characterizing the pathogen.
29 . The method of claim 28 , wherein the characterizing step comprises identifying the pathogen.
30 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the identifying step is selected from the group consisting of sequencing nucleic acid derived from the pathogen and amplifying the nucleic acid.
31 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the sample is a blood sample.
32 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the particles are differentially labeled.
33 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the particles comprise an optical label.
34 . The method of claim 33 , wherein the optical label is a fluorescent label.
35 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the pathogen-binding moieties comprise antibodies.
36 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the antibodies are monoclonal antibodies.
37 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the antibodies are polyclonal antibodies.
38 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the pathogen is a Gram-positive bacterium.
39 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the pathogen is a Gram-negative bacterium.
40 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the pathogen is a virus.
41 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the magnetic particles comprise a plurality of sets, wherein members of different sets are conjugated to different moieties that bind different pathogens.
42 . The method of claim 41 , wherein the different sets are provided at different concentrations.
43 . The method of claim 41 , wherein the different sets are provided at a same concentration.
44 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the magnetic particles are beads.
45 . The method of claim 44 , wherein the beads have a diameter from about 100 nm to about 250 nm.