Abstract: A system and method for characterizing protein molecules. A protein molecule of interest is isolated from other types of protein molecules and modified into a one-dimensional structure. Each of a first type of amino acid residue of the protein molecule of interest is labeled with a first tag. Each of a second type of amino acid residue of the protein molecule is labeled with a second tag. The first and second tags impart to the protein molecule of interest a detectable set of characteristic ancillary properties that function as a fingerprint or characterization of the protein molecule of interest reflective of the physical structure of the protein molecule of interest as defined by the amino acid sequence of the protein molecule of interest. A library listing of the characterizations corresponding to protein molecules facilitates identification of protein molecules of interest.

Abstract: Detector fusion molecules are produced by attaching a protein sub-unit to a linker, and attaching the linker to a nucleic acid molecule. The detector fusion molecules have utility in detecting and quantifying a specific target analyte from a sample. The protein sub-unit of the detector fusion molecule is selected to specifically bind the specific target analyte. The nucleic acid molecule of the detector fusion molecule is used as a tag, thus allowing for the detection and quantification of the target analyte. The sample is contacted with detector fusion molecules, thereby allowing detector fusion molecules to specifically bind any specific target analytes in the sample. The nucleic acid molecule of the detector fusion molecule is amplified using known processes, thereby producing an amplification product. The amplification product is detected and quantified, thus determining an amount of the target analyte in the sample.

Abstract: A system and method for characterizing protein molecules. A protein molecule of interest is isolated from other types of protein molecules. The protein molecule of interest is modified to a one-dimensional structure from the natural three-dimensional structure of the protein molecule. Each of a first type of amino acid residue of the protein molecule is labeled with a first tag. Each of a second type of amino acid residue of the protein molecule is labeled with a second tag. The first and second tags impart to the protein molecule a detectable set of characteristic ancillary properties that facilitates distinction of the protein molecule of interest from other types of protein molecules. When these ancillary properties are detected, a fingerprint of the protein molecule is revealed. A listing of known protein molecules and of the fingerprints corresponding to each of the known protein molecules serves as a library to facilitate identification of unknown proteins.