Appeal No. 93-3369
Application 07/344,179
unbound in order for sample DNA (G) to hybridize to it. See
Figure 1B of Diamond. The DNA hybridization assay would not
operate if all of
the target region of the probe (TBR) was “saturated” by being
bound to labeled polynucleotide (L).
Similarly, the device taught by Liotta could not operate if
substantially all of the antibody binding sites are saturated
prior to addition of the sample. The device of Liotta requires
the binding sites to be freely available. Saturation will occur
either with the binding partner in the sample or the binding
partner in the immobilized phase if the sample is free of the
binding partner. See column 3, lines 17-25 in conjunction with
Figures 5 and 6 of Liotta. As depicted in those figures the
antibody is labeled. If there is antigen in the sample it will
occupy the binding sites of the labeled antibody. By so
occupying the binding sites the antibody will not become trapped
by binding to the immobilized antigen in Zone 1, thus it will
pass on to Zone 2 and the presence of the label will be detected
by a visible color reaction in Zone 2. When the sample is free
of antigen the labeled antibody will move into the region
containing the immobilized antigen where it will be trapped via
binding to
15
Page: Previous 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007