Methods for isolating a target analyte from a heterogenous sample

Abstract

The invention generally relates to methods of using compositions that include sets of magnetic particles, members of each set being conjugated to an antibody specific for a pathogen, and magnets to isolate a pathogen from a body fluid sample.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method for isolating pathogen from a heterogeneous sample, the method comprising:
 providing a vessel that contains a heterogeneous sample, the vessel being coupled to a fluidic device that comprises a magnet;   introducing to the vessel magnetic particles conjugated to pathogen-binding moieties;   binding the magnetic particles to a pathogen in the heterogeneous sample;   flowing the heterogeneous sample from the vessel through a channel in the fluidic device; and   magnetically separating the pathogen in the sample by capturing the magnetic particles with the magnet.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising the step of characterizing the pathogen. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the characterizing step comprises identifying the pathogen. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the identifying step is selected from the group consisting of sequencing nucleic acid derived from the pathogen and amplifying the nucleic acid. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the sample is a blood sample. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the particles are differentially labeled. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the particles comprise an optical label. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the optical label is a fluorescent label. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the pathogen-binding moieties comprise antibodies. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the antibodies are monoclonal antibodies. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the antibodies are polyclonal antibodies. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the pathogen is a Gram-positive bacterium. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the pathogen is a Gram-negative bacterium. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the pathogen is a virus. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the magnetic particles comprise a plurality of sets, wherein members of different sets are conjugated to different moieties that bind different pathogens. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the different sets are provided at different concentrations. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the different sets are provided at a same concentration. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the magnetic particles are beads. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the beads have a diameter from about 100 nm to about 250 nm.