Biothera Inc.

Courtagen Life Sciences, Inc.

Peter Maimonis

Michael E Danielson

Nandita Bose

Keith B Gorden

Mary A Antonysamy

Richard M Walsh

Jean I Montagu

Herman Deweerd

Roger Dowd

Natalia Rodionova

Nathan Tyburczy

This disclosure provides, in one aspect, a method for analyzing a sample from a subject for a biomarker that is indicative of the subject's immune response to &#x3b2;-glucan. Generally, the method includes obtaining a biological sample from a subject, analyzing the sample for a biomarker anti-&#x3b2;-glucan antibody compared to a reference standard, computing a Relative Antibody Unit (RAU) value for anti-&#x3b2;-glucan antibody in the sample, and identifying the subject as biomarker positive if the RAU value is greater than a predetermined RAU value for the biomarker anti-&#x3b2;-glucan antibody.

Beta-glucan assay methods

&#x3b2;-glucan assay methods

Cassette () performs assays, e.g. multiplexed protein biomarker assays. Wide, bubble-free, slow flows are produced from liquids stored on cassette (), flowing over wide array () of ligand receptors on a capture surface. Flows of Reynolds Number less than about 1, preferably 1&#xd7;10to 5&#xd7;10, are heated in region () preceding and including bubble removal system (). Analyte is introduced through compressed septum (). External actuations of displacement pumps () and valves (A, B, and C) produce flows in response to flow-front optical sensors (). Elastic sheet provides pump and valve diaphragms and resilient expansion of mixing volume (). Break-away cover portions are pistons. Heating is by conduction through cassette from external contact heater. Planar cassette body, when tilted from horizontal, enables upward flow from pumped storage () to reaction () to waste (), with buoyancy bubble removal before reaction. Reading of fluorescence is by external reader, employing calibration, control and reference features on capture surface. Extensive set of calibration features of differing intensities enables self-calibration.

Assays based on liquid flow over arrays

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Westwood, MA, United States of America

Peter Maimonis