Time Resolved Fluorescent Immunochromatographic Assay

Compared with standard luminescence-detection methods that use wavelength to differentiate target luminescence from background signal,time-resolved luminescence techniques separate the luminescence of interest from the background signal by measuring the lifetime difference as well as wavelength difference. After excitation of a luminescent label with a short pulse of light, long lived luminescence is measured only a short time after autofluorescence and light-scattering effects have completely dissipated. Such time-resolved measurements can be repeated and combined to fine-tune signal-to-noise ratios and improve sensitivity Overall, time-resolved luminescence measurements increase the sensitivity by two or more orders of magnitude relative to conventional luminescence measurements in liquid samples. Along with its proprietary luminescence encapsulation technique for obtaining strong and long-lived luminescence labels, Lumigenex has been able to successfully leverage its time resolved luminescence membrane assay technique, exclusively licensed from Kimberly-Clark Corporation, to commercialize several POCT kits. For example, the detection limits of the company's Troponin I and N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) assays are 5pg and 4pg, respectively. Other ultrasensitive POCT kits using time-resolved luminescence technology are in development to meet the increasing demand for POCT kits for cardiology, women's health, infectious disease, oncology and drugs of abuse.