Polyethylene glycol (PEG) has found exceptionally widespread use, such as in purification, and as a means of conjugating various substances. Particular interesting are reports of conjugating PEG with multiple molecules so as to target a particular substance. PEG is usually a linear molecule, yet branched variations of molecular dimension are an option. Other molecular polymers could also be utilized.

Herein, are described certain ideas, which seem quite simple, yet perhaps not yet appreciated. They involve utilizing conjugated PEG derivatives in purifications, in vitro analyses; and in novel microarrays where PEG allows for a kind of 3D display. Further, coupling of binding sites, particularly antibodies or a derivative thereof, resulting an interesting perhaps therapeutically applicable ideas are also presented.

Figure 1A and 1B are examples of utilizing conjugated PEG derivatives for analyses. In each of these examples, a receptor protein is conjugated to the PEG. Of course the conjugated molecule could be virtually any kind of molecule, such as a polypeptide, oligonucleotide, or small organic molecule.

In Figure 1A, subsequent to contacting with drug candidate, which happens to bind the receptor, the complex is separated simply by filtration or precipitation. Of course various other drug related assays could be performed, such as competitive assays.

In Figure 1B, prior to filtration or precipitation, the receptor- PEG-drug complex is crosslinked. Such a crosslinker may have a cleavable bond so as to allow disintegration of crosslinking subsequent to purification. Note further that the crosslinker cold have a valence of greater than two, and could itself be based on PEG.

The material and processes of these figures can be utilized for other purposes. For example, in affinity purification of a protein, wherein the molecule conjugated to the PEG is a ligand for the desired protein. In contrast to using columns of beads for affinity purification, utilizing conjugated PEG derivatives is anticipated to allow rapid purification with extensive washings.

Notice the receptor molecules conjugated to a PEG molecule as in Figure 1A could be different. An important example thereof would include the receptors being antibodies or binding moiety derivatives thereof. Such antibody conjugated PEG derivatives could find both analytical and therapeutic utility. An interesting concept is the use of such a derivative as in Figure 1B, wherein once the antibody-PEG portion bound to target, multiple PEG complexes could be crosslinked.

Figure 2 is another perhaps novel utility, wherein conjugate-PEG derivatives are arrayed on a biochip. Therein three different PEG molecules each with a different conjugated molecule, are addressed via encoded tail oligonucleotides, to an array of oligonucleotide probes. Multivalent PEG conjugates, with or without encoded tails, could also be affixed to beads, or to antibodies. Such multivalent probes may have distinct advantages, particularly as related to access or reagents and sensitivity.

Note further in Figure 2 the potential for ligand combinations, in that each linear PEG could be conjugated to a different set of molecules, which perhaps cooperatively bind a protein target

Provisional Claims

It may be advantageous to pegylate naked DNA, perhaps via a cleavable linker.

References