Sensitive detection and characterization of macromolecular interactions in homogenous or heterogeneous solutions of biological and/or synthetic macromolecules

The present invention relates to systems and methods for sensitive detection and characterization of macromolecular interactions in homogenous or heterogeneous solutions of biological and/or synthetic macromolecules. The disclosed method of detection does not require labeling or chemical modification of any test substance, and it is as rapid or more rapid than presently available methods. The system includes a dispenser to dispense a solution containing one or more macromolecular solute components whose concentrations vary with time in a controlled fashion, and two detectors to measure, respectively, the time-dependent static light scattering and composition of the dispensed solution. The composition of solution may be determined from measurements of either UV-visible absorbance or differential refractive index. The light scattering and composition detectors are installed in parallel, so that at any given time point, both detectors collect data from elements of solution of identical composition. High resolution information about the stoichiometry and strength of macromolecular interactions is subsequently obtained by quantitative analysis of the composition dependence of static light scattering. This invention could provide a valuable tool for high-throughput proteomics research.

U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/703,814 filed 28 Jul 2005 (HHS Reference No. E-167-2005/0-US-01) Inventors: Allen P. Minton et al. (NIDDK)

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