Charm Sciences, Inc.

Cheryl A Boyer

Stanley E Charm

Eliezer Zomer

Robert J Markovsky

Richard T Skiffington

Steven J Saul

Joan L Scheemaker

Shefali B Trivedi

Paul R Donahue

Yael Agi Glickman

The invention features a method of determining whether one or more members of an analyte family are present in a sample. The method makes use of a test zone binder, e.g., a receptor that can bind one or a plurality of analytes within an analyte family, the analytes family defined by similar structural binding sites. Members of an analyte family can have different detection level requirements and, therefore, additional analyte binders can be employed to adjust test sensitivity for a subset of the analytes in the analyte family individually, so that each analyte can be detected only if it is present in the sample above a predetermined threshold.

Method for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample

A test device for detecting the presence of a residue analyte in a sample includes a support strip and a sample-absorbing matrix attached to the support strip. The sample-absorbing matrix has a material for absorbing an amount of the sample. The test device also includes a mobile-phase support for holding a mobile-phase composition. The mobile-phase support is attached to the support strip and in contact with the sample-absorbing matrix. A mobile-phase composition is disposed on the mobile-phase support and has a receptor for binding with the analyte. The mobile-phase composition can be carried in the sample. A stationary-phase membrane is attached to the support strip and has a first membrane end in contact with the mobile-phase composition and a second membrane end. The membrane allows lateral capillary flow of the sample from the first membrane end to the second membrane end. A test zone is on the stationary-phase membrane between the first membrane end and second membrane end and having a first binder for binding with an unbound receptor. A control zone is the stationary-phase a membrane between the test zone and second membrane end and has a second binder for binding with an analyte-bound receptor or residual unbound receptor.

Test device for detecting the presence of a residue analyte in a sample

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Malden, MA, United States of America

Cheryl A Boyer