Aptamer Biosensor Thermal Transduction for Protein Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biosensors for detecting proteins in samples are often unstable, expensive, and require complex setups, making them unsuitable for fast, portable, and cost-effective protein detection in complex samples.
Innovation Solution
Aptamer-based biosensor device using heat-transfer transduction with an aptamer bioreceptor on a substrate, where temperature changes upon analyte binding are measured to calculate heat transfer resistivity, enabling specific and sensitive protein detection in a compact, portable format.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional biosensors use antibody or enzyme recognition components, then they can detect specific proteins, but they suffer from instability of the biological recognition component
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the original biological recognition component (antibody or enzyme) with a copied version - an aptamer that replicates the binding function. The aptamer is a synthetic oligonucleotide sequence selected through SELEX to specifically bind the target protein, thereby copying the recognition function while providing superior stability and resistance to degradation.
2Measurement precision
If conventional biosensors are designed for high specificity, then they can detect target proteins accurately, but they require expensive and complex setups
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical or electrical transduction systems with a simpler thermal transduction mechanism. The binding event between aptamer and target protein causes a heat transfer signal that can be detected by straightforward thermal measurements, eliminating the need for expensive optics, lasers, or complex electronics while maintaining detection specificity.
3Measurement precision
If conventional biosensors achieve high sensitivity, then they can detect trace proteins, but they require long measurement times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent exploits the thermal phase transition or heat transfer dynamics that occur when the aptamer-target complex forms. The binding event induces a measurable heat transfer signal that can be rapidly detected, allowing sensitive detection of trace proteins within seconds rather than minutes or hours, thereby reducing measurement time while maintaining high sensitivity.
4Ease of operation
If conventional biosensors are made portable, then they enable field detection, but they compromise on detection accuracy and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the recognition function (aptamer), the transduction function (thermal detection), and the signal processing function into a single integrated portable device. The aptamer is immobilized on a substrate with embedded thermal sensors, allowing the entire biosensing system to be miniaturized and portable while maintaining detection accuracy through the robust thermal transduction mechanism that is less sensitive to environmental variations.
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
The device allows for fast, low-cost, and specific detection of proteins in complex samples, including trace allergens in food, with high stability and reproducibility, and can be reused, overcoming the limitations of traditional biosensors.
Implementation Method 1
a heat source for heating said substrate via a back surface thereof
Implementation Method 2
the aptamer bioreceptor being adapted for specifically binding to the predetermined target analyte
Implementation Method 3
a first temperature sensing element for sensing a temperature at the side of the back surface of the substrate and a second temperature sensing element for sensing a temperature at the side of the functionalized surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a biosensor device (10) for detecting a predetermined target analyte. The device comprises a substrate (13). An aptamer bioreceptor (21) for specifically binding to the predetermined target analyte is exposed at a functionalized surface of the substrate. The device also comprises a heat source (11) for heating the substrate (13) via a back surface thereof. The device further comprises a first temperature sensing element (14) for sensing a temperature at the back side of the substrate (13) and a second temperature sensing element (15) for sensing a temperature at the functionalized side of the substrate (13). The device also comprises a signal processing unit (16) for calculating a heat transfer resistivity value based on temperature values obtained from the first and the second temperature sensing element and the heating power generated by the heat source (11).