Membrane assay method
View Patent ↗Provided herein is technology relating to methods for assaying a cell-containing body sample and particularly, but not exclusively, to treating a sample under conditions to cause cell lysis, preferably by means of a detergent; and subjecting the lysed sample to conditions causing the cleavage of nucleic acid molecules. The technology additionally relates to using nucleic acid cleavage conditions to enhance a membrane assay, a device for carrying out such an assay, and a kit for use in the assay.
1. An assay device comprising:
a chamber for accepting a cell-containing body fluid; and
at least one membrane of pore size no greater than 10 μm,
wherein said device contains a nuclease and said membrane comprises an immobilized specific binding agent that is specific for a non-nucleic acid analyte of a whole blood sample; and
wherein said device further comprises a second binding agent that is specific for said non-nucleic acid analyte and wherein said second binding agent is conjugated to a signal generating moiety.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said nuclease is in dried form.
3. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said device contains a detergent.
4. The device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said device contains a detergent.