LABEL-FREE SEPARATION AND ANALYSIS OF MACROMOLECULES

The invention relates to a method and a corresponding detection apparatus for detecting particles, e.g. biological macromolecules, like proteins, carbohydrates, or nucleic acids molecules, obtained from a sample by a separation process. This is done by a method based on the particles’ specific features, e.g. charge, size, shape, density. They are detected as series of single light scattering events created by the individual particles. A sample substance including the particles is provided on a source side of a separation path, and is then subjected to a separation force, so that the particles move along the path, e.g. with specific velocities or to specific locations.
The detecting step comprises an interferometric sensing of a series of single scattering events by the particles bound or transient in the detection volume, wherein the parameters of scattering light signals, e.g. the interferometric contrast, are analysed for obtaining specific particle features, e.g. size, mass, shape, charge, and/or affinity of the particles.

• Higher electric potential possible
• Shorter separation times
• Reduced sample preparation requirements
• Not limited to native fluorescent molecules
• High signal-to-noise ratio

• Sort and identify biomolecules
• Sensing single molecules
• Investigations in "single-cell omics" or circulating tumour cells
• Detecting single unlabelled particles

PCT, EP, US, JP