Particles embedded in a porous substrate for removing target analyte from a sample

Abstract

The invention provides devices, test kits and methods for removing target agents from a sample. The device contains one or more porous matrices having pore sizes larger than 10 μm, and a plurality of particles impregnated therein. The target agents attach the device and are removed from the sample.

1 . A device for separating prion protein from a sample, said device comprising one or more porous matrices having pore sizes greater than 10 μm, wherein the one or more porous matrices are surface modified with polyglycidyl methacrylate (PGMA). 
     
     
         2 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more porous matrices comprise polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, cotton or nylon. 
     
     
         3 . A device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the one or more porous matrices comprise polypropylene. 
     
     
         4 . A device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the one or more porous matrices comprise polypropylene fibres, a poly propylene nonwoven fabric or a polypropylene nonwoven membrane. 
     
     
         5 . A device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the one or more porous matrices comprise a polypropylene nonwoven fabric. 
     
     
         6 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the prion protein is normal prion protein (PrPc) 
     
     
         7 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more porous matrices are surface modified by grafting. 
     
     
         8 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more porous matrices are surface modified by padding techniques. 
     
     
         9 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sample is a blood sample. 
     
     
         10 . A device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the sample is a whole blood sample. 
     
     
         11 . A device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the sample a plasma sample. 
     
     
         12 . A method of separating a prion protein from a sample comprising:
 a) providing a sample potentially containing prion protein;   h) providing a device according to  claim 1 ;   c) subjecting the sample to the device;   d) separating the prion protein from the sample.   
     
     
         13 . A test kit for prion protein separation and sample purification comprising (i) a device according to  claim 1 ; ii) a container containing one or more of the buffers, reagents, chemical agents, functionalisation reagents, enzymes, detection agents control material; (iii) instructions for use of the test kit; (iv) packaging materials, or any combination of (ii), (iii) and (iv). 
     
     
         14 . A test kit as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the detection agents comprising various enzymes, prosthetic groups, fluorescent materials, luminescent material, bioluminescent materials, radioactive materials, disperse dyes, gold particles, or a combination thereof.