Systems and methods for characterization of molecules

Abstract

The present invention generally provides systems and methods for the detection, identification, or characterization of differences between properties or behavior of corresponding species in two or more mixtures comprised of molecules, including biomolecules and/or molecules able to interact with biomolecules, using techniques such as partitioning. The experimental conditions established as distinguishing between the mixtures of the molecules using the systems and methods of the invention can also be used, in some cases, for further fractionation and/or characterization of the biomolecules and/or other molecules, using techniques such as single-step or multiple-step extraction, and/or by liquid-liquid partition chromatography. The methods could also be used for discovering and identifying markers associated with specific diagnostics, and can be used for screening for such markers once discovered and identified during diagnostics screening.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A composition, comprising:
 a plurality of distinguishable prostate-specific antigen (PSA) isoforms, identified by a method comprising:   partitioning PSA contained within a first mixture of species in at least a first phase and a second phase of a first aqueous multi-phase partitioning system, wherein the second phase is immiscible with the first phase at equilibrium;   determining a relative measure of interaction between the PSA contained within the first mixture of species, and the first and second phases of the first partitioning system;   partitioning PSA contained within a second mixture of species in at least a first phase and a second phase of the first aqueous multi-phase partitioning system, wherein the second phase is immiscible with the first phase at equilibrium;   determining a relative measure of interaction between the PSA contained within the second mixture of species, and the first and second phases of the first partitioning system; and   determining a difference in the relative measure of interaction of the PSA of the first mixture of species with the first and second phases of the first partitioning system, versus the relative measure of interaction of the PSA of the second mixture of species with the first and second phases of the first partitioning system.   
     
     
         25 . A composition as in  claim 24 , wherein the first mixture of species and the second mixture of species respectively comprise a sample indicative of an abnormal condition and a control sample, both from a single organism. 
     
     
         26 . A composition as in  claim 25 , wherein the samples arise from the organism at the same time. 
     
     
         27 . A composition as in  claim 26 , wherein the samples arise from the organism at a different time. 
     
     
         28 . A composition as in  claim 26 , wherein the PSA contained within the first mixture of species arises from a biological system with a first physiological condition, and the PSA contained within the second mixture of species arises from the same biological system with a second physiological condition. 
     
     
         29 . A composition as in  claim 28 , wherein biological systems from which the first and second mixture of species represent the same individual member. 
     
     
         30 . A composition as in  claim 29 , wherein biological systems from which the first and second mixture of species represent the same individual member at different times. 
     
     
         31 . A composition as in  claim 24 , wherein biological systems from which the first and second mixture of species represent the same species but not the same individual member. 
     
     
         32 . A composition as in  claim 24 , wherein the PSA contained within the first mixture of species and the PSA contained within the second mixture of species are chemically identical. 
     
     
         33 . A method of treating a subject suspected of having prostate cancer, comprising:
 partitioning urine or blood from the subject in a first mixture of species in at least a first phase and a second phase of a first aqueous multi-phase partitioning system, wherein the second phase is immiscible with the first phase at equilibrium, and wherein the urine or blood is suspected of containing PSA;   determining a partition coefficient between PSA, and the first and second phases of the first partitioning system;   comparing the partition coefficient to a control partition coefficient representative of a population without prostate cancer; and   if the partition coefficient exceeds the control partition coefficient, treating the subject for prostate cancer.   
     
     
         34 . A method as in  claim 33 , comprising determining the partition coefficient in only a single partitioning system. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the subject is human. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 33 , comprising partitioning urine. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 33 , comprising partitioning blood.