Abstract: Disclosed are methods for analyzing molecular binding events in which the formation of ligand/antiligand complexes can be directly detected in a mixture without requiring separation of the components of the mixture from each other by measuring bulk properties of the mixture (i.e., properties that have contributions from several or all of the components present in the mixture). Using these techniques, it is possible to screen libraries without labeling either the target antiligand or ligand. The invention also provides a method for determining the strength of ligand/antiligand binding by further analysis of the same signals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting a molecular event, comprising (1) applying an electromagnetic test signal to a sample in which a molecular event is being detected, whereby the sample interacts with and modulates the test signal to produce a modulated test signal, and (2) detecting the modulated test signal, wherein the applying and detecting take place in a temperature-controlled environment, wherein the temperature-controlled environment comprises the sample, a radiating portion of a signal generating circuit, and a receiving portion of a signal detection circuit and wherein the applying and detecting take place in the environment at a temperature controlled to within ±0.5° C.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a molecular event in a test sample using a resonant test structure is presented. The method includes providing a resonant test structure having a resonant response associated therewith. Next, a first resonant response of the resonant test structure is obtained when the resonant test structure is electromagnetically coupled to a reference sample, the reference sample having a known composition. A second resonant response is also obtained when the resonant test structure is electromagnetically coupled to the test sample, the test sample having an unknown composition. Subsequently, one or more first electrical parameters, such as the q-factor of the resonator, are derived from the first resonant response. One or more second electrical parameters are similarly derived from the second resonant response. The similarity or difference between the first and second electrical parameters are analyzed to determine the presence or absence of the molecular event in the test sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variety of methods of analyzing protein binding events using a system capable of directly detecting protein/ligand complexes based upon the dielectric properties of the complex. The system can be used in a variety of analyses involving protein binding events, such as screening ligand libraries, characterizing protein binding interactions, and identifying ligands. The system can also be utilized in diverse analytical and diagnostic applications.

Abstract: A coplanar waveguide biosensor and methods of use include a coplanar waveguide transmission line and a sample containment structure. The coplanar waveguide transmission line is operable to support the propagation of an electromagnetic signal and includes a signal line and one or more spaced apart ground elements. The signal line is configured to conduct a time-varying voltage, and the one or more ground elements are configured to maintain a time-invariant voltage, a detection region being formed between a portion of the signal line and a portion of at least one of the one or more ground elements. Detection methods are improved through the enhancement of the electric field in the detection region via impedance discontinuities in the signal line and ground elements. The sample containment structure intersects the detection region of the coplanar waveguide transmission line and includes a cavity configured to hold 1 ml or less of sample solution within the detection region.

Abstract: A bio-assay test system includes a test fixture, a measurement system, and a computer. The test fixture includes a bio-assay device having a signal path and a retaining structure configured to place a sample containing molecular structures in electromagnetic communication with the signal path. The measurement system is configured to transmit test signals to and to receive test signals from the signal path at one or more predefined frequencies. The computer is configured to control the transmission and reception of the test signals to and from the measurement system.

Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to detect cellular activity in a sensitive and efficient manner without the use of labels and without knowing specifically what activity is being detected, although detection of specific activity is possible. The assay comprises detecting cellular activity by monitoring a change in a cellular system, comprising coupling an electromagnetic test signal in a specified frequency range to a sample in which a cellular event is being detected, whereby the sample interacts with and modulates the test signal to produce a modulated test signal; detecting the modulated test signal; and analyzing the modulated test signal to detect said cellular event. As such, the present invention is particularly useful in the detection of cellular activity induced by the presence of a test substance in the medium in which a cell is located and provides a number of advantages for lead optimization in the drug discovery field.

Abstract: A bio-assay test system includes a test fixture, a measurement system, and a computer. The test fixture includes a bio-assay device having a signal path and a retaining structure configured to place a sample containing molecular structures in electromagnetic communication with the signal path. The measurement system is configured to transmit test signals to and to receive test signals from the signal path at one or more predefined frequencies. The computer is configured to control the transmission and reception of the test signals to and from the measurement system.

Abstract: A system and method for comparing the permittivities of test and reference samples to detect and identify molecular events is presented. A resonant detector configured to output measurement parameters when the detector is electromagnetically coupled to a supplied sample is provided. One or more permittivity coefficients is defined for the detector. A first output parameter is obtained from the detector when the detector is electromagnetically coupled to a reference sample. A second output parameter is obtained from the detector when the detector is electromagnetically coupled to the test sample. The difference between the first and second output parameters is applied to the one or more permittivity coefficients to compute the relative difference in permittivity between the test sample and reference sample.

Abstract: A pipette-loaded bioassay includes a measurement probe and a pipette tip. The measurement probe includes a probe head configured to launch an incident test signal and a connecting end configured to receive the incident test signal from a signal source. The pipette tip includes a sample interrogation region which is electromagnetically coupled to the probe head, the sample interrogation region configured to retain a plug of sample solution and constructed from a material which is substantially transparent to the incident test signal. The incident test signal electromagnetically couples through the sample interrogation region and to the molecular or cellular events occurring within the sample solution. The interaction of the incident test signal with the molecular or cellular events produces a modulated test signal which can be recovered and used to identify the molecular or cellular events occurring in a subsequently tested sample.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting molecular binding events and other environmental effects using the unique dielectric properties of the bound molecular structure or structures are presented. A molecular binding layer is coupled along the surface of a signal path. A test signal is propagated along the signal path, whereby the test signal couples to the molecular binding layer, and in response, exhibits a signal response.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for detecting molecular binding events and other environmental effects using the unique dielectric properties of the bound molecular structure or structures. A molecular binding region is coupled along the surface of a signal path. A test signal is propagated along the signal path, whereby the test signal couples to the molecular binding region, and in response, exhibits a signal response.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting molecular binding events and other environmental effects using the unique dielectric properties of the bound molecular structure or structures are presented. A molecular binding layer is coupled along the surface of a signal path. A test signal is propagated along the signal path, whereby the test signal couples to the molecular binding layer, and in response, exhibits a signal response.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variety of methods for conducting analyses of nucleic acids using a detection system which is sensitive to the unique dielectric properties of different hybridization complexes and which can distinguish between different hybridization complexes directly without the use of labels. Methods using the system to perform sequence checking, expression analysis, de novo sequencing and a variety of other nucleic acid analyses are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for detecting molecular binding events and other environmental effects using the unique dielectric properties of the bound molecular structure or structures. A molecular binding region is coupled along the surface of a signal path. A test signal is propagated along the signal path, whereby the test signal couples to the molecular binding region, and in response, exhibits a signal response.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variety of methods for conducting analyses of nucleic acids using a detection system which is sensitive to the unique dielectric properties of different hybridization complexes and which can distinguish between different hybridization complexes directly without the use of labels. Methods using the system to perform sequence checking, expression analysis, de novo sequencing and a variety of other nucleic acid analyses are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variety of methods of analyzing protein binding events using a system capable of directly detecting protein/ligand complexes based upon the dielectric properties of the complex. The system can be used in a variety of analyses involving protein binding events, such as screening ligand libraries, characterizing protein binding interactions, and identifying ligands. The system can also be utilized in diverse analytical and diagnostic applications.