Multihue labels

Abstract

Particulate labels that can be individually identified comprise particulate supports to which are bound at least two distinguishable signal generating moieties, such as fluorophores emitting at different wavelengths, which signals are detectable and measurable in situ. By varying the ratio and/or amounts of the signal generating moieties, a multiplicity of different and distinguishable labels is obtained. Each different label can then be coupled to a different reagent and the individual interactions of each reagent with a target observed in parallel.

1 . A particulate label which comprises a particulate support to which is bound at least two signal generating moieties in a predetermined amount and ratio, each of which moieties generates, in situ, a signal different from that generated by the other(s) and wherein each of said signals can be varied over a series of gradations.  
     
     
         2 . The label of  claim 1  wherein said particulate support is coupled to at least three said signal generating moieties.  
     
     
         3 . The label of  claim 1  wherein said signal generating moieties are color generating moieties.  
     
     
         4 . The label of  claim 3  wherein the color generating moieties are fluorophores.  
     
     
         5 . The label of  claim 1  wherein the particulate support is a latex bead.  
     
     
         6 . The label of  claim 1  which is further associated with a reagent.  
     
     
         7 . The label of  claim 6  wherein the reagent is an antibody.  
     
     
         8 . The label of  claim 6  wherein the reagent is a peptide generated from a cDNA library.  
     
     
         9 . The label of  claim 6  wherein the reagent is a substance in a combinatorial chemistry library.  
     
     
         10 . The label of  claim 6  wherein the reagent is an oligonucleotide.  
     
     
         11 . The label of  claim 6  wherein said reagent is covalently linked to the label.  
     
     
         12 . The label of  claim 11  wherein the covalent linkage is a disulfide or carboxamide linkage.  
     
     
         13 . The label of  claim 6  wherein the reagent is noncovalently linked to the label.  
     
     
         14 . The label of  claim 13  wherein the noncovalent linkage is an epitope/antibody linkage or a histidine/Ni-chelator linkage or comprises an agar layer.  
     
     
         15 . The label of  claim 2  which is further associated with a reagent.  
     
     
         16 . The label of  claim 15  wherein the reagent is an antibody.  
     
     
         17 . The label of  claim 15  wherein the reagent is a peptide generated from a cDNA library.  
     
     
         18 . The label of  claim 15  wherein the reagent is a substance in a combinatorial chemistry library.  
     
     
         19 . The label of  claim 15  wherein the reagent is an oligonucleotide.  
     
     
         20 . The label of  claim 15  wherein said reagent is covalently linked to the label.  
     
     
         21 . The label of  claim 20  wherein the covalent linkage is a disulfide or carboxamide linkage.  
     
     
         22 . The label of  claim 15  wherein the reagent is noncovalently linked to the label.  
     
     
         23 . The label of  claim 22  wherein the noncovalent linkage is an epitope/antibody linkage or a histidine Ni-chelator linkage or comprises an agar layer.  
     
     
         24 . A collection of the particulate labels of  claim 1  wherein said collection comprises multiplicities of said labels having different ratios and/or amounts of said signal generating moieties so each label has a different hue.  
     
     
         25 . A collection of the particulate labels of  claim 6  wherein said collection comprises multiplicities of said labels having different ratios and/or amounts of said signal generating moieties so each label has a different hue, and wherein each label of a given hue is associated with a different known reagent.  
     
     
         26 . A collection of the particulate labels of  claim 15  wherein said collection comprises multiplicities of said labels having different ratios and/or amounts of said signal generating moieties so as to have a different hue, and wherein each label of a given hue has a different known reagent.  
     
     
         27 . The collection of  claim 24  wherein said signal generating moieties are color generating moieties.  
     
     
         28 . The collection of  claim 27  wherein the color generating moieties are fluorophores.  
     
     
         29 . The collection of  claim 25  wherein said signal generating moieties are color generating moieties.  
     
     
         30 . The collection of  claim 29  wherein the color generating moieties are fluorophores.  
     
     
         31 . The collection of  claim 26  wherein said signal generating moieties are color generating moieties.  
     
     
         32 . The collection of  claim 31  wherein the color generating moieties are fluorophores.  
     
     
         33 . A method to assess a sample for its constituent components which method comprises contacting said sample with the collection of  claim 25  and determining which labels are bound and which labels are not bound by said sample.  
     
     
         34 . A method to assess a sample for its constituent components which method comprises contacting said sample with the collection of  claim 26  and determining which labels are bound and which labels are not bound by said sample.  
     
     
         35 . A system for the detection of an interaction between a multiplicity of reagents and at least one target which system comprises the collection of particulate labels of  claim 29  along with a detecting means for each different wavelength band of each color generating moiety.  
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 35  wherein said particulate labels are coupled to a competing analog of said target contained in a position wherein the labels can be detected, and which further includes a means for flowing sample containing said target past said labeled analog whereby any target in the sample competes with the analog for the label.  
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36  wherein said target is a drug or a metabolite of a drug.  
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 36  which comprises analogs for a multiplicity of targets.  
     
     
         39 . A system for the detection of an interaction between a multiplicity of reagents and at least one target which system comprises the collection of particulate labels of  claim 31  along with a detecting means for each different wavelength band of each color generating moiety.  
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39  wherein said particulate labels are coupled to a competing analog of said target contained in a position whereby the labels can be detected, and which further includes a means for flowing sample containing said target past said labeled analog whereby any target in the sample competes with the analog for the label.  
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 40  wherein said target is a drug or a metabolite of a drug.  
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 40  which comprises analogs for a multiplicity of targets.