Immuno-amplification

US8372605B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Becton, Dickinson and Company · US

Inventors

• James G. Nadeau · Chapel Hill, US
• Tobin Hellyer · Owings Mills, US
• Dolores M. Berger · Baltimore, US
• William A. Nussbaumer · Baltimore, US
• Robert Rosenstein · Ellicott City, US
• Andrew Kuhn · Baltimore, US
• Sha-Sha Wang · Cockeysville, US
• Keith Thornton · Dunkirk, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 25, 2011
• Grant date: Feb 12, 2013
• Expiry date: Mar 25, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12Q1/6851
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A high-sensitivity, low-background immuno-amplification assay is provided, which offers a streamlined workflow suitable for high-throughput assays of clinically relevant samples, such as blood and other bodily fluids. The assay comprises the use of two proximity members that each comprise an analyte-specific binding component conjugated to an oligonucleotide. Binding an analyte brings the oligonucleotide moieties of the proximity members in sufficiently close contact that the oligonucleotides form an amplicon. The presence of the analyte then is detected through amplification of the amplicon and detection of the amplified nucleic acids. The sensitivity of the assay of the present invention is improved by preventing spurious or non-specific amplicon formation by proximity members that are not complexed with an analyte.