13519results about How to "High detection sensitivity" patented technology

The present invention provides a method of detecting antigens, which comprises immobilizing an antigen to a solid support and contacting the solid support with a means for hybridizing a labeled dendrimer to the antibody, through an oligonucleotide complexed thereto. A directly oligonucleotide labeled primary antibody or an oligonucleotide labeled secondary antibody may be employed, and a conventionally labeled dendrimer can subsequently be hybridized to the oligonucleotide through one or more of the outer arms of the dendrimer. The present invention offers the advantage over conventional methods of antigen detection by providing multiple label molecules per antigen, thereby enhancing the observed signal associated with the label.

The disclosure relates to optical heterodyne detection cavity ringdown spectroscopy. In one aspect the disclosure relates to an optical system comprising a ringdown cavity cell defining a resonant optical cavity, means for directing coherent light selected from the group consisting of continuous or quasi-continuous light into said optical cavity, means for altering the resonant optical cavity so as to generate a frequency shift of the coherent light in the optical cavity, means for coupling said coherent light into the optical cavity and means for decoupling the frequency shifted coherent light out of said optical cavity, means for optically combining said decoupled frequency shifted coherent light with another portion of coherent light not in optical communication with the optical cavity and means for optical heterodyne detection of the intensity of said combined light. A method for optical detection is also described as well as methods and apparatus for detecting a parameter of a sample.

Methods of using dyes and associated technology are provided. A dye, such as a monomeric dye or a dimeric dye, may be used in a nucleic acid gel staining application and / or a nucleic acid detection application. Such a dye and a salt that comprises an anion that is associated with a strong acid and a cation that is associated with a strong base may be used in such an application. A dimeric dye, such as a dimeric dye capable of forming a hairpin-like structure, may be used to stain and / or detect nucleic acids via a release-on-demand mechanism. A dimeric dye having low background fluorescence in the absence of nucleic acids and high fluorescence in the presence of nucleic acids, upon binding therewith, may be used to stain and / or detect nucleic acids.

A method and apparatus for use in a flow through assay process is disclosed. The method is characterised by a “pre-incubation step” in which the sample which is to be analysed, (typically for the presence of a particular protein), and a detection analyte (typically an antibody bound to colloidal gold or a fluorescent tag) which is known to bind to the particular protein may bind together for a desired period of time. This pre incubation step occurs before the mixture of sample and detection analyte come into contact with a capture analyte bound to a membrane. The provision of the pre-incubation step has the effect of both improving the sensitivity of the assay and reducing the volume of sample required for an assay. An apparatus for carrying out the method is disclosed defining a pre-incubation chamber for receiving the sample and detection analyte having a base defined by a membrane and a second membrane to which a capture analyte is bound. In one version the pre-incubation chamber is supported above the second membrane in one position but can be pushed into contact with the membrane carrying the capture analyte thus permitting fluid transfer from the incubation chamber through the capture membrane. In another version the membrane at the base of the incubation chamber is hydrophobic and its underside contacts the capture membrane and when a wetting agent is applied to the contents of the pre-incubation chamber fluid transfer occurs.