Methods for assaying or isolating constituents of samples

Abstract

Methods for assaying or isolating constituents of samples include applying a sample to a capillary column, which includes a matrix that includes the same material as a nonporous substrate within which the capillary column is formed, as well as drawing the sample through at least a portion of a length of the capillary column. Migration portions of the sample, such as analytes or other constituents thereof, through the capillary column may be inhibited by a stationary phase on the matrix, such as, but not limited to, capture molecules immobilized to discrete locations of the substrate. The presence of a constituent in a sample may be detected as a result of its interaction with the capillary column or a stationary phase associated with the capillary column.

1 . A method of substantially isolating a potential analyte from other components of a sample, comprising: 
 applying a sample to a capillary column in a nonporous substrate, the capillary column comprising a matrix with at least one capture substrate immobilized relative thereto, the matrix including the same material as the nonporous substrate; and    drawing the sample through at least a portion of a length of the capillary column so as to enhance separation of the constituent from the sample by the at least one capture substrate.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 detecting analyte present in the sample with at least one detector disposed proximate a detecting region of the capillary column.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying comprises applying a solution including the sample to the capillary column.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying comprises applying the sample in a gaseous state to the capillary column.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 applying a differential pressure to the capillary column to effect the drawing.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein drawing occurs without applying differential pressure to the capillary column.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein drawing comprises capillary action induced by the matrix.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein drawing comprises applying an electrical current along at least a portion of a length of the capillary column.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying comprises applying the sample to a capillary column including a matrix with at least one capture substrate comprising an antibody immobilized thereto.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying comprises applying the sample to a capillary column including a matrix with at least one capture substrate comprising an antigen immobilized thereto.  
   
   
       11 . A method of identifying the presence or absence of a constituent in a sample, comprising: 
 applying a sample to a capillary column in a nonporous substrate, the capillary column comprising a matrix including the same material as the nonporous substrate;    drawing the sample through at least a portion of a length of the capillary column; and    detecting a constituent present in the sample.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein applying comprises applying a solution including the sample to the capillary column.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein applying comprises applying the sample in a gaseous state to the capillary column.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein drawing includes bringing the sample into contact with a stationary phase along at least a portion of the capillary column.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein bringing the sample into contact with the stationary phase comprises bringing the sample into contact with a stationary phase disposed at a selected location along a length of the capillary column  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein detecting comprises detecting immobilization of the constituent by the stationary phase.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein detecting comprises applying a detection reagent to at least the selected location and analyzing the detection reagent to determine whether the constituent is present.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein analyzing comprises quantifying a change in the detection reagent.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein detecting comprises determining an electrical characteristic of the selected location and comparing the electrical characteristic to an electrical characteristic of a control.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein bringing the sample into contact with the stationary phase comprises bringing the sample into contact with a capture molecule that will bind to or immobilize the constituent.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 applying a differential pressure to the capillary column to effect the drawing.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein drawing occurs without applying differential pressure to the capillary column.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein drawing comprises capillary action induced by the matrix.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein drawing comprises applying an electrical current along at least a portion of a length of the capillary column.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein detecting comprises evaluating the sample as it passes by a location downstream of the first end of the capillary column.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein detecting comprises evaluating the sample as it exits the capillary column.