Nucleic Acid Aptamer Binding to Surfaces in Consumer Products

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for nucleic acid aptamers with high binding affinity and specificity for consumer product applications, particularly those containing surfactants, as existing aptamers struggle with binding to macroscopic materials and surfaces in the presence of surfactants.

Innovation Solution

The development of consumer product compositions that include a surfactant and a nucleic acid aptamer, where the aptamer is designed to bind specifically to surfaces such as teeth, and can be covalently or non-covalently attached to active ingredients or nanomaterials to enhance delivery and efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing aptamers are used in consumer products containing surfactants, then the product can provide general cleaning functions, but the aptamers lose binding affinity and specificity to target surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinding affinity and specificity of aptamerVSAvoidinterference from surfactants
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical structure of the aptamer by incorporating chemically modified nucleotides (such as 2'-O-methyl, 2'-fluoro, phosphorothioate) to change its physical and chemical parameters. These modifications enhance the aptamer's resistance to surfactant interference while maintaining its binding affinity and specificity to target surfaces like teeth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If aptamers are designed for high specificity to target surfaces, then binding precision improves, but the complexity of aptamer design and selection increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecificity of aptamer bindingVSAvoidaptamer design and selection process
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a pre-designed library of aptamers with specific sequences (SEQ ID NOs: 1, 9, 25, 112, 120, 136) that have been previously selected and optimized for high specificity to target surfaces. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex, de novo aptamer selection processes while ensuring high binding precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses chemically modified nucleotides as intermediaries to facilitate the binding between the aptamer and target surface. These modified nucleotides act as mediators that enhance the stability and specificity of the aptamer-target interaction while simplifying the overall design process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If aptamers are attached to active ingredients for targeted delivery, then delivery efficiency to surface improves, but the complexity of product formulation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery efficiency of active ingredientVSAvoidproduct formulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the aptamer and active ingredient into a single conjugate molecule through covalent attachment. This merging of two separate components (aptamer for targeting and active ingredient for function) into one unified structure simplifies the formulation process while maintaining high delivery efficiency to the target surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material consisting of the aptamer-active ingredient conjugate. This composite structure integrates the targeting capability of the aptamer with the functional properties of the active ingredient, resulting in a simplified yet highly effective product formulation that achieves precise delivery to the target surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 use of these aptamers in consumer product compositions enables efficient delivery of active ingredients to targeted surfaces, improving the effectiveness and specificity of the products, even in the presence of surfactants.

Implementation Method 1

The molecular recognition of aptamers is based on structure compatibility and intermolecular interactions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMolecular recognition:

Implementation Method 2

including electrostatic forces, van der Waals interactions, hydrogen bonding, and π-π stacking interactions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic forces:

Implementation Method 3

including electrostatic forces, van der Waals interactions, hydrogen bonding, and π-π stacking interactions

Methodology Applied
Scientific Effectvan der Waals interactions: Van der Waals Force

Implementation Method 4

including electrostatic forces, van der Waals interactions, hydrogen bonding, and π-π stacking interactions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding:

Implementation Method 5

including electrostatic forces, van der Waals interactions, hydrogen bonding, and π-π stacking interactions

Methodology Applied
Scientific Effectπ-π stacking interactions:

Implementation Method 6

consumer product compositions comprising a surfactant and a nucleic acid aptamer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentEP3664776B1Aptamers for consumer product compositions
Publication Date: 2025.05.14 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO
  • EP3664776B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3664776B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3664776B1 patent drawingFigure 3C~3D

AI summary

Consumer product compositions comprise a surfactant and a nucleic acid aptamer. The nucleic acid aptamer comprises at least one oligonucleotide comprising: deoxyribonucleotides, ribonucleotides, derivatives of deoxyribonucleotides, derivatives of ribonucleotides, or mixtures thereof. The nucleic acid aptamer has a binding affinity for an epitope of a surface being treated with the consumer product composition.