Nucleic Acid Aptamer Test Strip With Signal Amplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting food-borne pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 are either time-consuming, expensive, prone to false positives, or lack portability and sensitivity, necessitating a more efficient, portable, and cost-effective detection system.
Innovation Solution
A nucleic acid aptamer test strip utilizing silver-core gold-shell nanoparticles for signal amplification, combined with capture and detection aptamers, allows for simultaneous detection of these pathogens through a sandwich method, enabling naked-eye observation and onsite rapid detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional culture method is used for pathogen detection, then the detection process is simple and cost-effective, but the detection time is long and the process is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical culture method with a molecular detection system using aptamers and nanoparticles. The detection mechanism involves hybridization between aptamers and target nucleic acids, followed by signal amplification through silver-core gold-shell nanoparticles, enabling rapid detection without complex cultural processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from microbial growth (culture method) to nucleic acid hybridization signal (aptamer test strip). This parameter change allows detection to occur within minutes to hours rather than requiring days of incubation, significantly reducing detection time while simplifying the overall process
2Measurement precision
If molecular detection method (PCR) is used, then detection sensitivity is high and automation is achieved, but equipment cost is expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable test strips containing aptamers and silver-core gold-shell nanoparticles as a low-cost alternative to expensive PCR equipment. The test strip can be manufactured at low cost and discarded after single use, eliminating the need for expensive automated PCR machines while maintaining high detection sensitivity through aptamer-nanoparticle signal amplification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces silver-core gold-shell nanoparticles as an intermediary signal amplification agent between the aptamer and the detection signal. These nanoparticles enhance the signal from aptamer-target hybridization, providing PCR-like sensitivity without requiring PCR equipment, thus reducing equipment cost while maintaining measurement precision
3Measurement precision
If immunodetection method (ELISA) is used, then specific detection of pathogen is achieved through antigen-antibody interactions, but false-positive results occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional antibody-based detection approach by using nucleic acid aptamers as the recognition element. Instead of using antibodies that can cross-react and cause false positives, the aptamers bind specifically to pathogen nucleic acids through complementary base pairing, providing higher specificity and reliability while maintaining detection capability
4Speed
If biosensor method is used, then rapid and portable detection is achieved, but corresponding equipment is required and portability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential detection function from complex biosensor equipment by implementing a standalone aptamer test strip that can be operated without external power sources or specialized devices. The detection mechanism relies on visual observation of color changes or signal formation on the test strip, making it truly portable and easy to operate while maintaining rapid detection capability
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 test strip provides sensitive, stable, and cost-effective detection with high specificity and accuracy, suitable for food samples, and maintains visible results for up to 21 days, with improved sensitivity and stability compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
The capture aptamer on the binding pad is modified onto silver-core gold-shell nanoparticles
Implementation Method 2
capture aptamer is used to capture pathogen
Implementation Method 3
The detection aptamer can form a sandwich complex with capture aptamer that captures pathogen
Implementation Method 4
The quality control aptamer is complementary chain of capture aptamer, which can bind to the empty capture aptamer through complementary action
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses nucleic acid aptamer test strip, preparation method and application thereof, which belongs to technical field of pathogen detection. The nucleic acid aptamer test strip includes sample pad, binding pad, nitrocellulose membrane, absorbent pad and backing plate. The binding pad contains one or more capture aptamer. The nitrocellulose membrane contains one or several detection lines and one quality control line, wherein detection line contains detection aptamer, and wherein quality control line contains quality control aptamer. The capture aptamer on binding pad is modified on to silver-core gold-shell nanoparticles. The nucleic acid aptamer test strip of the present invention improves detection sensitivity, reduces detection costs, is simple to operate, can be detected and observed with naked eye, has high stability, and is suitable for onsite rapid detection.