Stimuli-responsive polymer diagnostic assay comprising magnetic nanoparticles and capture conjugates

Abstract

The present disclosure utilizes the aggregation of stimuli-responsive polymers to isolate a diagnostic target (e.g., an antigen) from a solution using magnetophoresis. Isolating the diagnostic target provides a route to identify the presence of the diagnostic target in the solution.

1 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The aggregate of  claim 22 , wherein the target is an indicator for a disease or condition. 
     
     
         7 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An aggregate, comprising
 a stimuli-responsive magnetic nanoparticle comprising a first stimuli-responsive polymer attached to a magnetic core; and   a stimuli-responsive capture conjugate comprising a second stimuli-responsive polymer attached to a capture moiety, wherein the capture moiety is capable of binding to a target;   wherein the aggregate is formed through associative interactions between the first stimuli-responsive polymer and the second stimuli-responsive polymer.   
     
     
         22 . The aggregate of  claim 21 , further comprising a target bound to the capture moiety. 
     
     
         23 . The aggregate of  claim 22 , wherein the target is selected from the group consisting of an antibody, an antigen, a cell, a nucleic acid, an enzyme, a substrate for an enzyme, a protein, a peptide, a lipid, a carbohydrate, or other biomarker. 
     
     
         24 . The aggregate of  claim 21 , wherein the associative interaction between the first stimuli-responsive polymer and the second stimuli-responsive polymer is responsive to a stimulus independently selected from the group consisting of temperature, pH, light, photo-irradiation, exposure to an electric field, ionic strength, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The aggregate of  claim 21 , wherein the associative interaction between the first stimuli-responsive polymer and the second stimuli-responsive polymer is responsive to a change in ionic strength. 
     
     
         26 . The aggregate of  claim 21 , wherein the associative interaction between the first stimuli-responsive polymer and the second stimuli-responsive polymer is responsive to a change in pH. 
     
     
         27 . The aggregate of  claim 21 , further comprising a second stimuli-responsive capture conjugate comprising a third stimuli-responsive polymer attached to a second capture moiety, wherein the second capture moiety is capable of capturing a second target, wherein the second target is different than the target. 
     
     
         28 . The aggregate of  claim 27 , wherein the aggregate is formed through associative interactions between the first stimuli-responsive polymer, the second stimuli-responsive polymer, and the third stimuli-responsive polymer, and the associative interaction is responsive to a stimulus independently selected from the group consisting of temperature, pH, light, photo-irradiation, exposure to an electric field, ionic strength, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         29 . The aggregate of  claim 27 , wherein the aggregate is formed through associative interactions between the first stimuli-responsive polymer, the second stimuli-responsive polymer, and the third stimuli-responsive polymer, and the associative interaction is responsive to a change in ionic strength. 
     
     
         30 . The aggregate of  claim 27 , wherein the aggregate is formed through associative interactions between the first stimuli-responsive polymer, the second stimuli-responsive polymer, and the third stimuli-responsive polymer, and the associative interaction is responsive to a change in pH. 
     
     
         31 . A target-capturing composition, comprising
 a stimuli-responsive magnetic nanoparticle comprising a N-isopropylacrylamide-containing polymer attached to an iron oxide magnetic core; and   a stimuli-responsive capture conjugate comprising a polymer including N-isopropylacrylamide repeating units attached to a capture moiety, wherein the capture moiety is capable of binding to a target;   wherein the stimuli-responsive magnetic nanoparticle and the stimuli-responsive capture conjugate are capable of forming an aggregate through associative interaction between the N-isopropylacrylamide-containing polymer and the polymer including N-isopropylacrylamide repeat units.   
     
     
         32 . The target-capturing composition of  claim 31 , wherein the associative interaction between the N-isopropylacrylamide-containing polymer and the polymer including N-isopropylacrylamide repeat units is responsive to a change in ionic strength. 
     
     
         33 . The target-capturing composition of  claim 31 , wherein the associative interaction between the N-isopropylacrylamide-containing polymer and the polymer including N-isopropylacrylamide repeat units is responsive to a change in pH. 
     
     
         34 . The target-capturing composition of  claim 31 , further comprising a target. 
     
     
         35 . The target-capturing composition of  claim 34 , wherein the target is an indicator for a disease or condition. 
     
     
         36 . The target-capturing composition of  claim 34 , wherein the target is selected from the group consisting of an antibody, an antigen, a cell, a nucleic acid, an enzyme, a substrate for an enzyme, a protein, a peptide, a lipid, a carbohydrate, or other biomarker. 
     
     
         37 . The target-capturing composition of  claim 34 , wherein the target is a cell membrane receptor.