Affinity sensor for detecting specific molecular binding events and use thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to an affinity sensor for detecting specific molecular binding events, for use in the field of molecular biology, e.g., in medical diagnostics, especially in biosensor technology or in DNA microarreay tests. The aim of the invention is to provide an affinity sensor of this type for rapidity, sensitively, specifically, economically and routinely detecting the presence of molecules, especially bioactive molecules, and to provide special applications for an affinity sensor of this type. To this end, the affinity sensor consists of a support substrate which is provided with at least two electrodes. The electrodes are situated equidistantly from each other and cover an area on both sides, at least this area being provided for receiving immobilised specific binding partners which are capable of coupling complementary corresponding binding partners directly or with other specific binding molecules. The area is established with a minimum width b, in such a way that at least one complementary corresponding binding partner which is provided with an electroconductive particle can be received in the area in such a way as to guarantee the possibility of a tunnel-type contact junction forming between the particle and the electrodes in each case. The affinity sensor is used for biomonitoring.

1 . Method for detecting specific binding events in response to a sample medium, comprising 
 contacting a predetermined area of a carrier substrate of an affinity sensor with a sample medium,    the carrier substrate being provided with at least two electrodes and having the predetermined area therebetween, said electrodes being equidistantly spaced apart from each other and engagingly bordering said area on opposing sides, at least said area having immobilized specific binding partners for affinity binding complementarily associated binding partners of the sample medium; and    said area being accessible to said complementarily associated binding partners provided in the sample medium and having a minimum width adapted for capture of at least one of said complementarily associated binding partners provided with an electrically conductive particle within said area by affinity binding with said immobilized specific binding partners.    
     
     
         2 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the complementarily associated binding of the sample comprise bioactive and biomimetical molecules.  
     
     
         3 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the complementarily associated binding partners of the sample medium comprise nucleic acids.  
     
     
         4 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the complementarily associated binding partners of the sample medium comprise proteins.  
     
     
         5 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the complementarily associated binding partners of the sample medium comprise saccharides.  
     
     
         6 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the detecting comprises biomonitoring the sample medium.  
     
     
         7 . Method according to claims, wherein the detecting comprises detection of cells in the sample medium.  
     
     
         8 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the detecting comprises detection of microorganisms in the sample medium.  
     
     
         9 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the detecting comprises detection of genetic and microbic diseases indicated by the sample medium.  
     
     
         10 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the detecting comprises detection of gene expression indicated by the sample medium.  
     
     
         11 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the detecting comprises detection of microorganisms in ecological populations indicated by the sample medium.  
     
     
         12 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the detecting comprises diagnosis of a medical condition.