Apparatuses for Detecting and Recognizing Analytes Based on Their Crystallization Patterns

Abstract

The invention contemplates apparatuses for recognition of proteins and other biological molecules by imaging morphology, size and distribution of crystalline and amorphous dry residues in droplets (further referred to as “crystallization patterns”) containing predetermined amount of certain crystal-forming organic compounds (reporters) to which protein to be analyzed is added. Changes in the crystallization patterns of a number of amino-acids can be used as a “signature” of a protein added. Also, changes in the crystallization patterns, as well as the character of such changes, can be used as recognition elements in analysis of protein molecules.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising:
 forming an analyte sample by mixing at least one reference organic substance and at least one analyte in a first fluid, said analyte sample exhibiting a first crystallization pattern;   forming a reference sample by dissolving at least one of the at least one reference organic substance in a second fluid, said reference sample exhibiting a second crystallization pattern; and   recognizing at least one of the at least analyte by comparing the first crystallization pattern and the second crystallization pattern.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the mixing comprises forming a solution including the first fluid, at least one of the at least one reference organic substance and at least one of the at least one analyte. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the mixing comprises:
 forming a first solution comprising at least one of the at least one reference organic substance;   forming a second solution comprising at least one of the at least one analyte;   mixing the first solution and the second solution to form the first fluid.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the first solution and the second solution are each in the form of at least one droplet. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the first solution is dried to provide a residue of the at least one of the at least one reference organic substance prior to contact with the second solution. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the second solution is spray deposited on an array of at least one of:
 the first solution; and   a residue of the at least one of the at least one reference organic substance.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the spay deposition comprises electrospray deposition. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein mixing comprises employing a dialysis membrane to:
 allow the passage of at least one of: at least one of the at least one reference organic substance and at least one of the at least one analyte; and   restrict passage of at least one of: the other of the at least one of the at least one reference organic substance and the at least one of the at least one analyte.   
     
     
         28 . The method of claim  1 , wherein the first fluid and the second fluid is hydrophillic. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the reference sample is mixed with the at least one analyte to provide data related to the second crystallization pattern. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the data comprises changes in the second crystallization pattern resulting from variations in analyte concentration. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the data comprises images of the second crystilization pattern. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the data is fetched from a library to recognize the analyte.