Methods and devices for analyte detection

Abstract

Methods for detecting one or more analytes, such as a protein, in a fluid path are provided. The methods include resolving, immobilizing and detecting one or more analytes in a fluid path, such as a capillary. Also included are devices and kits for performing such assays.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 resolving an analyte in a sample disposed within in a fluid path based on the size of the analyte;   immobilizing the analyte in the fluid path using thermal activation;   after the immobilizing, conveying a detection reagent through the fluid path; and   detecting the analyte by measuring a signal generated by the detection reagent.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 heating the sample; and   introducing the sample into the fluid path before the resolving.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the analyte includes a protein. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sample includes a standard. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sample is introduced into the fluid path by electrokinetic injection. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid path includes at least one of a capillary, a substrate, a curved surface or a planar surface. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the analyte is resolved by electrophoresis. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid path includes a sieving matrix. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal activation includes heating at least a portion of the fluid path. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the detection reagents include antibodies. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the resolving includes resolving the analyte prior to the immobilizing to enable the detection of a physical parameter of the analyte. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , the analyte being one analyte from a plurality of analytes, wherein the immobilizing is non-specific to any analyte from the plurality of analytes. 
     
     
         13 . A method, comprising:
 resolving in a fluid path an analyte in a sample based on the size of the analyte;   immobilizing in the fluid path the analyte, the immobilizing including photo-immobilizing and thermally immobilizing; and   conveying a detection agent through the fluid path after the immobilizing, the detection agent configured to bind to or interact with the analyte and facilitate detection of the immobilized analyte.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the fluid path includes at least one of a capillary, a substrate, a curved surface or a planar surface. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , the fluid path being a first fluid path from a plurality of fluid paths, the plurality of fluid paths including capillaries. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the analyte is resolved by at least one of isoelectric focusing, gel electrophoresis, or electrokinetic chromatography. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , the immobilizing including heating the fluid path. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the resolving and the immobilizing occurs in a same location of the fluid path. 
     
     
         19 . A method, comprising:
 resolving a protein in a fluid path based on the size of the protein;   immobilizing the resolved protein by at least heating the fluid path;   contacting the immobilized protein with an antibody to form an antibody-protein complex in the fluid path; and   detecting the immobilized protein in the fluid path after a detection agent is conveyed through the fluid path.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , the fluid path including a location, the resolving, the immobilizing and the detecting occurring substantially in the location. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , the protein being one protein from a plurality of proteins, the immobilizing being non-specific with respect to any the plurality of proteins. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the immobilizing includes heating the fluid path while photoimmobilizing.