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Labelled ligand binding conjugates
TRI-FUNCTIONAL CAPTURE LIGANDS, BASED ON THE CONCEPT OF COMBINING
- MAGNETIC BEAD SEPARATION TECHNOLOGY
- PRIMARY ANTIBODY SPECIFICITY E.G. VS. E. COLI 0157:H7 AND
- QDOT FLUORESCENCE (IRL OR COMMERCIAL).
THE METHODOLOGY ALLOWS CAPTURE AND CONCENTRATION OF LIGANDS, AS WELL AS MICROFLUIDIC ANALYSIS TO DELIVER RAPID DIAGNOSTICS E.G. WITHIN 30 MINUTES.
LLBCs targetting a cell.
Objective: The research is halfway through a six-year project and the first challenge is to justify its continuation by showing commercial interest in the technology. IRL envisages a disposable component for use in a microfluidics device at a cost of around $1 to $5 and a reusable reader, value several hundred dollars, with the ability to screen for several pathogens very rapidly in the field.
Technology Description: Relates to labelled ligand binding conjugates (LLBC), methods of making such combinations and uses thereof. The invention also relates to rapid methods of detecting and quantifying pathogens from a range of samples, particularly the detection of food-borne pathogens. IRL has a group developing micro fluidics, quantum dots (Qdots) and LLBCs – technologies with the potential to detect diseases at relatively low cost. Microfluidic applications are laminar, with electronics allowing the use of switches, transportation mechanisms and magnetic fields – a key element linking LLBCs. The LLBC contain a magnetically responsive particle so that a magnetic field can concentrate or separate labelled targets within the microfluidic device, eg to trap and concentrate pathogens, which can then be measured through fluorescence from attached Qdots. The technology requires exceedingly small quantities of reagents and other chemicals making it very cheap to operate. The group is targeting food-borne pathogens initially.
Advantages / Unique selling proposition:
- Simpler method with fewer steps eliminating washes and secondary labelling
- Quicker than current assays
- Captured organisms concentrated on magnetic particles for analysis.
Applications:
- Rapid means of detecting, isolating and quantifying candidate microbial pathogens from various food and environmental samples.
Project Development Status: Proof of Principle – Laboratory demonstration of principle only.
IP Protection Strategy: Provisional patent filed.
Organisation: Industrial Research Limited
Contact Person: Tim Balmer, Email: t.balmer@irl.cri.nz
Principle Investigator / Inventor Name: Dr Keryn Johnson