Rapid homogeneous immunoassay using electrophoresis

Abstract

The present invention concerns methods, compositions and apparatus for detection and/or determination of concentration of target molecules. In preferred embodiments the methods comprise allowing target molecules to form a complex with a first binding agent conjugated to a detection molecule and a second binding agent conjugated to a capture molecule, allowing the complex to further bind to an essentially uncharged polymer capable of binding to the capture agent, and performing a vertical gradient electrophoresis to separate the complex from unbound target, first and second binding agents and polymer. The intact complex is concentrated by electrophoresis at a stacking layer and the detection molecule is detected and/or quantified. Because the complex contains a very high mass to charge ratio, it becomes essentially immobile at the stacking layer, while unbound components migrate through the stacking layer and are separated from the complex. This provides a very rapid and sensitive assay that can detect very low concentrations of target molecules in short time.