BEAD SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC BEAD-BASED ANALYTE DETECTION

摘要

The present application discloses methods and apparatus for detecting a complex including an analyte that include contacting a sample solution containing an analyte with a population of functionalized superparamagnetic beads, which are functionalized to include a first moiety that associates with the analyte under suitable conditions, and contacting the sample solution with a population of functionalized ferromagnetic beads, which are functionalized to include a second moiety. Contact results in formation of complexes detectable by co-localization of the functionalized superparamagnetic bead and the functionalized ferromagnetic bead. Contact between a sample not containing the analyte in a sample solution, results in a magnetic interaction energy Dint between the functionalized superparamagnetic beads and the functionalized ferromagnetic beads, the magnetic interaction energy D_int being less than or equal to 5k_BT, where k_B is the Boltzmann constant and T is the temperature of the sample solution.