Energy enhanced reaction catalysis and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides a method/device for enhancing a chemical reaction including PCR and ELISA by utilizing electromagnetic or mechanical energy. Such method/device can also be used for increasing the rate at which a group of molecules reaches a different molecular configuration from initial configuration, thereby increasing binding and reacting of the molecules.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of enhancing a biochemical reaction, comprising: 
 placing reactant(s) in a medium for said biochemical reaction into a reaction vessel, wherein said reaction vessel comprises a device for enhancing said biochemical reaction, said device further comprising means for applying energy;    applying energy to said reactant(s) or to said medium or to a combination thereof;    altering a molecular state of said reactant(s) upon application of energy thereby increasing an energy state of said altered reactant(s); and    increasing formation of at least one biochemical product of the biochemical reaction upon increase of the energy state of said reactant(s) thereby enhancing the biochemical reaction.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 providing an enzymatic catalyst to said reaction vessel; and    stabilizing said reactant(s) at said increased energy state.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biochemical reaction is a polymerase chain reaction.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biochemical reaction is a enzyme linked immunoassay reaction.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said energy is electromagnetic energy or mechanical energy.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said electromagnetic energy is generated by a source which provides radiant energy with a wavelength from about 200 nm to about 20,000 nm.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said electromagnetic energy is radiofrequency or microwave.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said mechanical energy is a pressure wave.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said molecular state is temperature, molecular vibration, molecular rotation, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein altering said molecular state alters molecular configuration of said reactant(s).  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said altered molecular configuration is a transition state of said reactant(s).  
     
     
         12 . A method of increasing the rate at which a group of molecules reaches a different molecular configuration from initial configuration, comprising: 
 providing a means of applying energy to said molecules having the initial molecular configuration;    applying energy to said molecules; and    increasing a vibrational or rotational state of said molecules upon application of energy thereto thereby increasing the rate at which the group of said molecules reaches a different molecular configuration.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said molecules are in a reaction vessel comprising a device, said device further comprising said means of applying energy.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said molecules comprise a membrane or other tissue barrier.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said energy is electromagnetic energy or mechanical energy.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said electromagnetic energy is radiofrequency energy or microwave energy.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said electromagnetic energy is generated by a source which provides radiant energy with a wavelength from about 200 nm to about 20,000 nm.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said mechanical energy is a pressure wave.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said different molecular configuration occurs at a transition state in a biochemical reaction.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said biochemical reaction is catalyzed via an enzyme.