| abstract |
A method of analysis comprises forming complexes between micro-particles (12) such as plastics beads, a linking moiety (14) such as an antibody attached to the micro-particle, and a target (16) such as a micro-organism and observing the electro-rotation properties of the complex (10). Electro-rotation is produced by applying a rotating electric field in a plane transverse to the direction of observation. The differing electro-rotation properties of the micro-particles (12) coated with antibody (14) alone and the complexes (10) are visually observable and in suitable cases discrimination is possible between complexes containing live target micro-organisms and those containing dead micro-organisms. The target (16) may be bound to a labelling moiety (14) such as a gold or magnetic particle to enhance change in electro-rotation properties produced on complex formation. A wide range of target species are detectable, including nucleic acids and proteins. |