Method and apparatus for detecting biomolecular interactions
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 light reflected from a surface of a biosensor, said instrument comprising:
a light source;
an illuminating fiber optically coupled to said light source, said illuminating fiber illuminating an area of said surface of said biosensor;
a detecting fiber for detecting radiation reflected from said surface;
a spectrometer receiving said reflected radiation; and
wherein the instrument is further configured for determining a peak wavelength value of said reflected radiation; and wherein said biosensor comprises:
a grating comprised of a material having a high refractive index, said grating having a depth and a period; and
a substrate layer that supports said grating;
wherein, when said biosensor is illuminated with light from said light source a resonant grating effect is produced, and wherein said depth of and period of said grating are less than the wavelength of the resonant grating effect.
2. The invention of claim 1 , wherein a narrow band of optical wavelengths is reflected from said biosensor when the biosensor is illuminated with a broad band of optical wavelengths from said light source.
3. The invention of claim 1 , wherein the instrument comprises a colorimetric resonant optical biosensor detection instrument.
4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said biosensor is coupled to a liquid containing vessel.
5. The invention of claim 1 wherein the illuminating fiber and the detecting fiber are provided in a unitary optical fiber probe.
6. An instrument for detecting light reflected from a surface of a biosensor, said instrument comprising:
a white light source;
an illuminating fiber optically coupled to said light source, said illuminating fiber illuminating an area of said surface of said biosensor;
a detecting fiber for detecting radiation reflected from said surface;
a spectrometer receiving said reflected radiation; and
wherein the instrument is further configured for determining a peak wavelength value of said reflected radiation;
wherein the illuminating fiber and the detecting fiber are provided in a unitary optical fiber probe; and
wherein said optical fiber probe includes a collimating lens for collimating white light from said light source.
7. An instrument for detecting light reflected from a surface of a biosensor, said instrument comprising:
a light source;
an illuminating fiber optically coupled to said light source, said illuminating fiber illuminating an area of said surface of said biosensor;
a detecting fiber for detecting radiation reflected from said surface;
a spectrometer receiving said reflected radiation; and
wherein the instrument is further configured for determining a peak wavelength value of said reflected radiation; and
an incubator that incubates said biosensor at a predetermined temperature.