Method for detecting chemical interactions between naturally occurring biological analyte molecures

Abstract

A method of using micromechanical devices as sensors for detecting chemical interactions between naturally occurring bio-polymers which are non-identical binding partners is provided. The method is useful whether the reactions occur through electrostatic forces or other forces. Induced stress, heat, or change in mass is detected where a binding partner is placed on a cantilever for possible reaction with an analyte molecules (i.e., a non-identical binding partner). The method is particularly useful in determining DNA hybridization but may be useful in detecting interaction in any chemical assay.

1 - 3 . (canceled)  
     
     
         14 . A method of detecting the interaction between naturally occurring bio-polymers comprising: 
 providing a gold support;    preparing a self assembled surface on the gold comprising alkanethiol molecules;    preparing the surface with a biopolymer;    introducing at least one bio-polymer analyte molecule to said surface; and    detecting a change based on binding between the biopolymer and the biopolymer analyte.    
     
     
         15 . A method as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said bio-polymer analyte molecules are DNA.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said bio-polymer analyte molecules are oligonucleotides, polynucleotides, or polyamino acids.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said interaction is a non-covalent interaction.  
     
     
         18 . A method of detecting the occurrence of a chemical interaction between naturally occurring bio-polymers which are non-identical binding partners comprising: 
 providing a gold support;    preparing a self assembled surface on the gold comprising alkanethiol molecules;    preparing the surface with a first biopolymer material which can act as a binding partner to a second bio-polymer material;    introducing said second biopolymer material; and    detecting a change based on binding between the first biopolymer material and the second biopolymer material.    
     
     
         19 . A method in accordance with  claim 18  wherein the first biopolymer material is a polynucleotide.  
     
     
         20 . A method in accordance with  claim 18  wherein the second biopolymer material is a polynucleotide.  
     
     
         21 . A method of detecting the chemical interaction between naturally occurring bio-polymers comprising: 
 providing a gold support;    preparing a self assembled polymeric surface on the gold;    preparing the surface with a biopolymer;    introducing at least one bio-polymer analyte molecule to said surface; and    detecting a change based on binding between the biopolymer and the biopolymer analyte.    
     
     
         22 . A method in accordance with  claim 21  wherein the biopolymer material is a polynucleotide.  
     
     
         23 . A method of electronically sensing the interaction between polynucleotide comprising: 
 providing a gold support;    preparing a self assembled surface on the gold comprising alkanethiol molecules;    preparing the surface with a polynucleotide;    contacting at least one polynucleotide analyte molecule to said surface; and    detecting an electrochemical change based on binding between the polynucleotide and the polynucleotide analyte.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the sensing occurs without modifying the analyte or the polynucleotide.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the sensing is for biomedical or environmental applications.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23  wherein there is a plurality of polynucleotides to form an array.  
     
     
         27 . A sensor apparatus for detecting binding between non identical biopolymers; comprising: 
 a gold support;    a self assembled surface on the gold comprising alkanethiol molecules;    a biopolymer operably connected to the self assembled surface; and    a detector for determining binding between the biopolymer and the biopolymer analyte.    
     
     
         28 . The sensor in accordance with  claim 27 , wherein the bioploymer is an oligonucleotide, polynucleotide, or polyamino acid.  
     
     
         29 . The sensor in accordance with  claim 27 , wherein the bioploymer analyte is an oligonucleotide, polynucleotide, or polyamino acid.  
     
     
         30 . The sensor in accordance with  claim 27 , wherein the bioploymer and the bioploymer analyte are oligonucleotides, polynucleotides, or polyamino acids.  
     
     
         31 . The sensor in accordance with  claim 27 , wherein the sensor is arranged to produce an array.