Magnetic Nanoparticles with Bis-DPA Ligands for Selective Bacterial Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing bacterial contaminants, such as bacteria and endotoxins, from liquids like blood are not highly selective and efficient, often requiring lengthy incubation times and non-specific binding to normal mammalian cells.
Innovation Solution
Nanoparticles modified with metal ion-coordinated bis(dipicolylamine) ligands, such as zinc or copper-coordinated bis-DPA, are used for rapid and selective binding to bacterial contaminants, allowing for magnetic separation using microfluidic systems at high flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods are used for removing bacterial contaminants from liquids, then removal is achieved, but the process requires lengthy incubation times and exhibits non-specific binding to normal mammalian cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the nanoparticle surface by coating with specific ligands (such as zinc ion-coordinated bis-DPA or copper ion-coordinated bis-DPA) that change the binding characteristics. This enables selective binding to bacterial contaminants while avoiding non-specific binding to mammalian cells, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing time efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite nanoparticle structures consisting of a magnetic core material combined with a polymer coating layer containing metal ion-coordinated ligands. This composite structure provides both the magnetic separation capability and the selective binding function, resolving the contradiction between fast separation and high selectivity
2Productivity
If conventional separation methods are used, then bacterial contaminants are removed, but the process lacks high selectivity and efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical separation methods with magnetic separation using magnetically responsive nanoparticles. This substitution enables rapid separation at high flow rates while maintaining high selectivity through the specific ligand-bacteria interactions, simultaneously improving productivity and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by functionalizing only the surface of the nanoparticles with specific ligands while maintaining the magnetic core properties. This localized functionalization enables selective binding at the nanoparticle surface without affecting the magnetic separation capability, achieving both high efficiency and high selectivity
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 approach enables rapid and selective removal of bacterial contaminants from liquids, minimizing incubation time and avoiding non-specific binding to normal cells, thus enhancing the efficiency of bacterial contaminant separation.
Implementation Method 1
nanoparticles, such as magnetic nanoparticles, modified with ligands including metal ion-coordinated bis(dipicolylamine) (e.g., zinc ion-coordinated bis-Zn-DPA or copper ion-coordinated bis-Cu-DPA)
Implementation Method 2
rapid binding occurs between the bis-M-DPA ligands on one or more nanoparticles and bacterial contaminants in the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
Nanoparticles as described herein are configured to bind to bacterial contaminants, such as Gram positive bacteria, Gram negative bacteria, and endotoxins. The nanoparticles include a core comprising a magnetic material; and a plurality of ligands attached to the core. The ligands include, for example, bis(dipicolylamine) (“DPA”) coordinated with a metal ion, e.g., Zn2+ or Cu2+, to form, e.g., bis-Zn-DPA or bis-Cu-DPA, which can bind to the bacterial contaminants. The nanoparticles can be included in compositions for use in methods and systems to separate bacterial contaminants from liquids, such as liquids, such as blood, e.g., whole or diluted blood, buffer solutions, albumin solutions, beverages for human and/or animal consumption, e.g., drinking water, liquid medications for humans and/or animals, or other liquids.