Antibody Detection via Aggregating Agent Signal Amplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting antibodies, particularly for diseases like COVID-19, are not sufficiently sensitive, fast, or practical for point-of-care and high-throughput screening, requiring improvements in sensitivity and speed for effective diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a biological sample contacted with an antibody binding agent containing a detectable label and an aggregating agent, which forms a detectable antibody-antibody binding agent aggregate, allowing for rapid detection of antibodies through imaging techniques like fluorescent microscopy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional antibody detection methods are used, then detection can be performed, but sensitivity and speed are insufficient for point-of-care applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an aggregating agent as an intermediary component that binds to both the antibody-antigen complex and forms visible aggregates. This mediator amplifies the detection signal by clustering multiple antibody-antigen complexes into visible aggregates, thereby enhancing sensitivity without requiring complex instrumentation or lengthy procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs detectable labels that produce visual color changes or fluorescent signals when bound to antibodies. The aggregating agent concentrates these labeled antibodies into visible aggregates, creating a macroscopic color or fluorescence change that can be detected by the naked eye or simple imaging devices, enabling rapid and sensitive detection without complex equipment.
2Productivity
If conventional antibody detection methods are used, then detection can be performed, but the methods are not practical for high-throughput screening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection system into separate, modular components: antibody binding agents with detectable labels, aggregating agents, and simple detection reagents. This segmentation allows each component to be independently optimized and combined in high-throughput formats such as microplates or microarrays, enabling parallel processing of multiple samples simultaneously without requiring complex integrated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The aggregating agent serves as a universal intermediary that can be used across different antibody detection applications. This single component amplifies signals from various antibody-antigen interactions, allowing the same simple detection platform to handle diverse samples and targets, thereby increasing throughput without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Speed
If conventional antibody detection methods are used, then detection can be performed, but speed is insufficient for rapid diagnosis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary binding between the antibody binding agent and target antibody in the sample before adding the aggregating agent. This pre-binding step allows specific antibody-antigen complexes to form first, ensuring specificity, while the subsequent addition of the aggregating agent rapidly amplifies the signal. This two-step approach maintains sensitivity while enabling faster total detection time compared to methods requiring lengthy single-step reactions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enables rapid and sensitive detection of antibodies, with results achievable within minutes to days, improving diagnostic capabilities for diseases such as COVID-19 and offering potential for point-of-care applications.
Implementation Method 1
contacting a biological sample with an antibody binding agent, wherein the antibody binding agent comprises an antibody binding antigen and a detectable label, wherein the antibody binding agent binds an antibody in the biological sample
Implementation Method 2
adding an aggregating agent to the biological sample, wherein the aggregating agent binds to the antibody and forms an antibody-antibody binding agent aggregate
Implementation Method 3
the detectable label comprises a fluorophore. In some embodiments, the fluorophore comprises a green fluorescent protein (GFP)
Implementation Method 4
the detectable label comprises a bioluminescent label. In some embodiments, the bioluminescent label comprises Gaussia luciferase (Gluc)
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are methods of preparing a detectable antibody-antibody binding agent aggregate, the method comprising: (a) contacting a biological sample with an antibody binding agent, wherein the antibody binding agent comprises an antibody binding antigen and a detectable label, wherein the antibody binding agent binds an antibody in the biological sample; (b) adding an aggregating agent to the biological sample, wherein the aggregating agent binds to the antibody and forms an antibody-antibody binding agent aggregate; and (c) detecting a signal from the detectable label of the antibody binding agent associated with the antibody-antibody binding agent aggregate, thereby preparing a detectable antibody-antibody binding agent aggregate.