Abstract: Methods for decreasing non-specific bindings of beads in dual bead assays and related optical bio-discs and disc drive systems. Methods include identifying whether a target agent is present in a biological sample and mixing capture beads each having at least one transport probe affixed thereto, reporter beads each having at least one signal probe affixed thereto, and a biological sample. Mixing is performed under binding conditions to permit formation of a dual bead complex if the target agent is present in the sample. The reporter bead and capture bead each are bound to the target agent. Denaturing the target agent and keeping it in the denatured form by use of a specialized hybridization buffer is also provided. A denaturing agent is guanidine isothiocynate.

Abstract: Methods for decreasing non-specific bindings of beads in dual bead assays and related optical bio-discs and disc drive systems. Methods include identifying whether a target agent is present in a biological sample and mixing capture beads each having at least one transport probe affixed thereto, reporter beads each having at least one signal probe affixed thereto, and a biological sample. Mixing is performed under binding conditions to permit formation of a dual bead complex if the target agent is present in the sample. The reporter bead and capture bead each are bound to the target agent. Denaturing the target agent and keeping it in the denatured form by use of a specialized hybridization buffer is also provided. A denaturing agent is guanidine isothiocynate.

Abstract: Methods for decreasing non-specific bindings of beads in dual bead assays and related optical bio-discs and disc drive systems. The methods are employed to determine the suitability of a test solid phase for use in a dual bead assay. The methods include identifying whether a target agent is present in a biological sample and involve mixing capture beads, each having at least one transport probe affixed thereto. Reporter beads each have at least one signal probe affixed thereto. The reporter and capture beads are each bound to the target agent. The methods further include isolating the dual bead complex from the mixture to obtain an isolate, and exposing the isolate to a capture field on a disc. Detecting the presence of the dual bead complex in the disc is then performed to determine whether the target agent is present in the sample.

Abstract: The invention provides for methods of conjugating biochemical probes onto a solid phase for use in biomedical assays as implemented in conjunction with an optical bio-disc system. The method includes determining the suitability of a test solid phase for purposes of use in a dual bead assay, selecting a test solid phase, conjugating a probe to the test solid phase in the presence or absence of a cross-linking agent, and determining the total amount of probe bound to the test solid phase in the presence or absence of a cross-linking agent. The method is further employed to determine the percentage of probe bound covalently or non-covalently to the solid phase and calculating the percentage of probe bound covalently thereby selecting the solid phase with the highest conjugation efficiency. The invention is further directed at methods for determining whether a target agent is present in a biological sample. A bio-disc for performing a dual bead assay according to these methods is also provided.