Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
284 words
An assay for detecting the presence of an analyte comprising the steps of: a. forming a complex comprising said analyte and binding entity comprising an analyte recognition segment and a first partner of a fluorescent energy transfer system, wherein said first partner is selected from the group consisting of an energy donor and an energy acceptor, wherein said energy donor is a fluorescent aromatic agent or a lanthanide metal and said energy acceptor is a fluorescent, aromatic agent or a lanthanide metal, with the proviso that when said energy donor is a fluorescent, aromatic agent, then said energy acceptor is a fluorescent, aromatic agent or a lanthanide metal and when said energy donor is a lanthanide metal, then said energy acceptor is a fluorescent, aromatic agent; b. contacting said complex with a reporting entity composition comprising a second partner of said fluorescent energy transfer system and at least one component for rendering said analyte detectable which binds to said second partner to form a unit, wherein: (i) said second partner is selected from the group consisting of an energy donor and an energy acceptor, with the proviso that when said first partner is an energy donor then said second partner is an energy acceptor and when said first partner is an energy acceptor then said second partner is an energy donor, and (ii) the distance between said first partner and said second partner is 30 Angstroms or less; c. irradiating said unit with energy that can be absorbed by said energy donor and not by said energy acceptor with the proviso that said energy donor emits fluorescent energy which can excite said energy acceptor; and d. detecting the fluorescence emitted by said energy acceptor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
284 words
An assay for detecting the presence of an analyte comprising the steps of: a. forming a complex comprising said analyte and binding entity comprising an analyte recognition segment and a first partner of a fluorescent energy transfer system, wherein said first partner is selected from the group consisting of an energy donor and an energy acceptor, wherein said energy donor is a fluorescent aromatic agent or a lanthanide metal and said energy acceptor is a fluorescent, aromatic agent or a lanthanide metal, with the proviso that when said energy donor is a fluorescent, aromatic agent, then said energy acceptor is a fluorescent, aromatic agent or a lanthanide metal and when said energy donor is a lanthanide metal, then said energy acceptor is a fluorescent, aromatic agent; b. contacting said complex with a reporting entity composition comprising a second partner of said fluorescent energy transfer system and at least one component for rendering said analyte detectable which binds to said second partner to form a unit, wherein: (i) said second partner is selected from the group consisting of an energy donor and an energy acceptor, with the proviso that when said first partner is an energy donor then said second partner is an energy acceptor and when said first partner is an energy acceptor then said second partner is an energy donor, and (ii) the distance between said first partner and said second partner is 30 Angstroms or less; c. irradiating said unit with energy that can be absorbed by said energy donor and not by said energy acceptor with the proviso that said energy donor emits fluorescent energy which can excite said energy acceptor; and d. detecting the fluorescence emitted by said energy acceptor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first partner is attached covalently to said recognition segment of said binding entity by means of a linker arm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said binding entity comprises an analyte-specific binding substance, said first partner is selected from the group consisting of europium and terbium, and said second partner is a fluorescent aromatic intercalating agent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said lanthanide metal is chelated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said assay is carried out in a one phase system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said analyte is selected from the group consisting of antigens, haptens, antibodies and target polynucleotides.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said analyte is an antigen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said antigen is selected from the group consisting of proteins, polysaccharides, viruses, phages, and bacteria.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first partner is an energy acceptor and said second partner is an energy donor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said energy donor is a fluorescent aromatic agent and said energy acceptor is selected from the group consisting of fluorescent aromatic agents and lanthanide metals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said energy donor is a fluorescent aromatic agent and said energy acceptor is a lanthanide metal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein aromatic agents are selected from the group consisting of auromine O, lumichrome, and 9-aminoacridine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of europium and terbium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said second partner is attached covalently or non-covalently to said component of said reporting entity by means of a linker arm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said analyte is selected from the group consisting of antigens and antibodies and wherein said component of said reporting entity is selected from the group consisting of Clq, antibodies, and solid supports.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said analyte is selected from the group consisting of antigens and antibodies and wherein said component of said reporting entity is selected from the group consisting of Clq and solid supports.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said analyte is a target polynucleotide and wherein said component of said reporting entity is selected from the group consisting of intercalating agents and solid supports.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said solid support is selected from the group consisting of glass, plastic, cellulose, and gel polymers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said assay is carried out in a two phase system, wherein said two phases comprise a solid support and a liquid.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said analyte is an antigen, said first partner is an energy acceptor, said second partner is an energy donor, and said component of said reporting entity selected from Clq and a solid support.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said energy acceptor is a lanthanide metal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said analyte is an antigen, said binding entity comprises an antibody said first partner is an energy acceptor, said second partner is an energy donor, and said reporting component entity comprises Clq.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said energy acceptor is a lanthanide metal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said analyte is a target polynucleotide, said recognition segment is a complementary polynucleotide, said first partner is a lanthanide metal, and said second partner is a fluorescent aromatic intercalating agent.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said analyte is a target polynucleotide, said binding entity comprises a complementary polynucleotide, said first partner is a lanthanide metal, and said second partner is a fluorescent aromatic intercalating agent.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said analyte is a target polynucleotide, said binding entity comprises a complementary polynucleotide, said first partner is a lanthanide metal, said second partner is a fluorescent aromatic intercalating agent.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said analyte and said binding entity form a complex selected from the group consisting of antigen/antibody, lectin/sugar, hormone/receptor, inhibitor/enzyme, cofactor/enzyme, and ligand/substrate.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said analyte is an antigen and wherein said binding entity comprises a specific antibody.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
255 words
An assay for detecting the presence of an analyte comprising the steps of: a. forming a complex comprising said analyte and a binding entity comprising an analyte recognition segment and a first partner of a fluorescent energy transfer system, wherein said first partner is selected from the group consisting of an energy donor and an energy acceptor, wherein said energy donor is a fluorescent, aromatic agent and said energy acceptor is selected from the group consisting of fluorescent, aromatic agents, europium and terbium; b. contacting said complex with a reporting entity comprising a second partner of said fluorescent energy transfer system and a component which binds to said second partner to form a unit, wherein: (i) said second partner is selected from the group consisting of an energy donor and an energy acceptor, with the proviso that when said first partner is an energy donor then said second partner is an energy acceptor and when said first partner is an energy acceptor then said second partner is an energy donor, and (ii) the distance between said first partner and said second partner is 30 Angstroms or less; c. irradiating said unit with energy that can be absorbed by said energy donor and not by said energy acceptor with the proviso that said energy donor emits fluorescent energy which can excite said energy acceptor and wherein said irradiation is performed without prior separation of said binding entity which has not formed said complex with said analyte; and d. detecting the fluorescence emitted by said energy acceptor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
255 words
An assay for detecting the presence of an analyte comprising the steps of: a. forming a complex comprising said analyte and a binding entity comprising an analyte recognition segment and a first partner of a fluorescent energy transfer system, wherein said first partner is selected from the group consisting of an energy donor and an energy acceptor, wherein said energy donor is a fluorescent, aromatic agent and said energy acceptor is selected from the group consisting of fluorescent, aromatic agents, europium and terbium; b. contacting said complex with a reporting entity comprising a second partner of said fluorescent energy transfer system and a component which binds to said second partner to form a unit, wherein: (i) said second partner is selected from the group consisting of an energy donor and an energy acceptor, with the proviso that when said first partner is an energy donor then said second partner is an energy acceptor and when said first partner is an energy acceptor then said second partner is an energy donor, and (ii) the distance between said first partner and said second partner is 30 Angstroms or less; c. irradiating said unit with energy that can be absorbed by said energy donor and not by said energy acceptor with the proviso that said energy donor emits fluorescent energy which can excite said energy acceptor and wherein said irradiation is performed without prior separation of said binding entity which has not formed said complex with said analyte; and d. detecting the fluorescence emitted by said energy acceptor.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said binding entity comprises an analyte-specific binding substance, said first partner is selected from the group consisting of europium and terbium, and said second partner is a fluorescent aromatic intercalating agent.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said assay is carried out in a two phase system, wherein said two phases comprise a solid support and a liquid.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said europium is chelated.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said terbium is chelated.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said assay is carried out in a one phase system.