Up-converting reporters for biological and other assays

US6312914A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• ORASURE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. · US

Inventors

• Keith Kardos · Bethlehem, US
• R. Sam Niedbala · Allentown, US
• Jarrett Lee Burton · Allentown, US
• David Cooper · Palo Alto, US
• David A. Zarling · Menlo Park, US
• Michel J. Rossi · Lausanne, CH
• Norman A. Peppers · Belmont, US
• James A. Kane · Newport Beach, US
• Gregory W. Faris · Menlo Park, US
• Mark J. Dyer · San Jose, US
• Steve Y. Ng · San Francisco, US
• Luke V. Schneider · Rue de l'Église, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 18, 2000
• Grant date: Nov 6, 2001
• Expiry date: Oct 18, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2021/6441
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The invention provides methods, compositions, and apparatus for performing sensitive detection of analytes, such as biological macromolecules and other analytes, by labeling a probe molecule with an up-converting label. The up-converting label absorbs radiation from an illumination source and emits radiation at one or more higher frequencies, providing enhanced signal-to-noise ratio and the essential elimination of background sample autofluorescence. The methods, compositions, and apparatus are suitable for the sensitive detection of multiple analytes and for various clinical and environmental sampling techniques.