Lead Inventor: Denong Wang Problem or Unmet Need: A protein microarray is a coated glass slide onto which different proteins have been affixed in an ordered fashion. Fluorescence patterns change upon antigen/antibody binding which can be detected via...

Problem or Unmet Need: A protein microarray is a coated glass slide onto which different proteins have been affixed in an ordered fashion. Fluorescence patterns change upon antigen/antibody binding which can be detected via fluorescence microscopy. Until now, the use of preexisting array technology to assay other types of capture molecules, such as lipids has proven difficult. A majority of lipid molecules are soluble in organic solvents, which cannot be used with existing micro-spotting devices. Electrospray MASS spectrometry dissolves glycolipids in organic solvent and then sprays them onto coated membranes; however this method is not suitable for high-throughput production. Thus, the author has devised a high-throughput procedure which describes array conditions for screening of lipid vesicles, or liposomes in liposome-based arrays. This technique uses existing microarray spotting devices and can also be used for generation of more common protein or carbohydrate arrays.

Details of the Invention: The authors have optimized a procedure and corresponding conditions for arraying lipids as well as polysaccharides, glyco-conjugates, proteins and antibodies for adherence to a nitrocellulose polymer-coated glass slides. The technique uses sonication, or sonic energy, to produce a diverse panel of liposomes, which are dissolved in an organic solvent, and then desiccated. Lipids are then re-hydrated in an aqueous solution, re-sonicated, and spun to remove impurities. The resulting lipid-suspension can then be applied to microarrays using conventional spotting methods. Liposomes prepared by method of extrusion are also applicable for lipid array construction using this bioarray platform.

Applications:

• Purified natural products, synthetic lipid molecules, and cell extracts that can form liposomes, or can be incorporated into liposomes, can be assayed • Large-scale antibody profiling can be done

• Technique can assay pathogen-produced biomarkers for pathogen identification

• Microarrays can screen pathogenic biomarkers for the diagnosis of infectious disease

• Pathogenic biomarkers can be screened as vaccine targets for the induction of anti-infection immune responses

• Detection of lipid moieties which may be molecular targets of autoimmune diseases can be accomplished

• Glycolipid conjugates can now be assayed, since the surface-display of sugar moieties on the chip surface occurs upon spotting onto a microarray

• Optimal cluster configuration of carbohydrate binding-sites of a given receptor, including antibodies can be determined

Advantages:

• No other high-throughput array assay for integrated protein, carbohydrate and lipid arrays currently exists

•Existing microarray spotting devices can be used

• Versatility in assaying protein, carbohydrate, and lipid arrays

• Lipid and lipid derivatives are stable on microarrays fro 6 months or longer

Early Stage

Pat. Title: A liposome-based microarray and methods of use thereof A liposome-based microarray and methods of use thereof A liposome-based microarray and methods of use thereof A LIPOSOME-BASED MICROARRAY AND METHNODS OF USE THEREOF

Publication #: US 2007-0059765 A1

App. #: 60/664,251 11/387,993 NYK 11/387,993

Patent Status: Patent Pending (US 2007-0059765 A1) Licensing Status: Available for Licensing and Sponsored Research Support

Licensing or sponsored research support