Aptamer-Based FET Sensor for Low-Molecular-Weight Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods struggle to detect low-molecular-weight materials in solutions due to limitations in sensitivity and specificity, particularly for non-polar compounds like bisphenol A, as existing sensors require antibodies which are difficult to produce for toxic or small molecules.

Innovation Solution

A method using aptamers immobilized on a solid phase or FET/AAO sensors, where a sample and a labeled second aptamer are added to form a bond sandwiched between the first aptamer and the target material, allowing for detection through changes in electric current or capacitance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If antibodies are used as binding reagents for detection, then specificity and sensitivity are improved, but production becomes difficult or impossible for toxic or small molecules

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidantibody production

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive and difficult-to-produce antibodies with aptamers that can be synthesized chemically at lower cost and without animal subjects. The aptamers are designed as disposable detection elements that can be produced on demand through automated oligonucleotide synthesis, eliminating the need for complex antibody production processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces aptamers as intermediary binding reagents that mediate between the target analyte and the detection system. These aptamers serve as alternative mediators to antibodies, providing the necessary specific binding function while avoiding the limitations of antibody production for toxic or small molecules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional detection platforms are used, then detection capability is maintained, but detection of low-molecular-weight materials becomes impracticable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoiddetection range

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the detection system by transitioning from antibody-based to aptamer-based binding reagents. This parameter change enables the detection system to handle low-molecular-weight materials that are otherwise undetectable, expanding the detection range while maintaining reliability through the high affinity and specificity of aptamer-target interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal detection platform using aptamers that can detect various types of targets including toxins, small molecules, and low-molecular-weight materials. The aptamer-based system provides multi-functionality, replacing multiple specialized antibody-based assays with a single versatile platform that can be adapted to different analytes through aptamer selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If competitive analysis methods using aptamers are used, then simplicity is improved, but direct and simple detection is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemethod simplicityVSAvoiddetection process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional competitive binding approach by using a sandwich assay format where the aptamer captures the target directly without competition. Instead of measuring what prevents binding, the system measures what actually binds, simplifying the detection process and eliminating the need for complex competitive equilibrium calculations while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

Enables the specific and sensitive detection of low-molecular-weight materials, including non-polar compounds like bisphenol A, even at the pM level, overcoming previous detection limitations by using aptamers as specific binding reagents.

Implementation Method 1

an aptamer binding specifically to the target material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMolecular recognition:

Implementation Method 2

measuring a change in electric current in the FET sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectField effect transistor sensing:

Implementation Method 3

measuring a change in capacitance in the AAO sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS9329178B2Target substance detection method using aptamer

Publication Date: 2016.05.03 DONGGUK UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION

AI summary

Disclosed is a method and kit of detecting a target material using an aptamer, and more particularly to a method and kit for detecting a target material, in which a sample and a second aptamer are added to a first aptamer immobilized on a solid phase so as to form a bond sandwiched between the first aptamer, the target material and the second aptamer, to an FET sensor-based method and kit for detecting a target material, and to an AAO sensor-based method and kit for detecting a target material.The method for a target material using an aptamer can detect even low-molecular-weight materials which were difficult to detect in the prior art, thereby enabling detection of disease-related metabolites, environmental pollutants and food toxins in solutions. In addition, the detection method is a direct and simple method and is highly cost-effective, because it uses the aptamer which can be consistently reproduced and can be produced at low costs.