Mass producible biologically active solid phase devices

Abstract

A solid phase binding member for the detection of an analyte in a test sample is described. The binding member comprises: (1) a solid support having micropores; (2) a polymer reversibly water-soluble before its application to the solid support; and (3) a ligand covalently attached to the polymer, the ligand interacting specifically with the analyte. The solid support can have micropores throughout or on its surface, and can be rayon, paper, fabric, plastic, agarose or polyacrylamide beads, glass, microcrystalline cellulose, or acid-treated plastic. The polymer can be carrageenan or sodium alginate. The ligand can be an antibody, a univalent antigen-binding fragment of an antibody, an antigen, a hapten, an enzyme, a hormone, or a single-stranded nucleic acid. Methods of use of the binding member are also described involving incorporation into a test device. The test device can be a dip stick, a hollow vessel, a slide, or a porous bead. A process for producing the binding member is also described, comprising solubilizing the water-soluble polymer, impregnating the solid support with the conjugate, and cross-linking the polymer to fix the conjugate to the support. Also described are methods for detecting an analyte specifically binding the ligand of a solid phase binding member. The basic method comprises: (1) exposing the solid phase binding member to an analyte-containing solution; (2) removing the binding member from the solution and washing it; and (3) determining the presence of analyte bound to the binding member, preferably quantitatively.