Bridge Complex for Small Molecule Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for detecting testosterone, a small molecule hormone, face challenges due to its low free state in blood and require complex separation processes, making accurate detection difficult, especially for small molecular weight analytes like testosterone.
Innovation Solution
A novel method using a 'bridge complex' and 'competitor carrier complex' with gold nanoparticles to amplify measurement signals, allowing precise detection by binding the analyte to specific antibodies and particles, eliminating the need for separate washing procedures and improving data safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional detection method is used for testosterone, then the detection process is simple, but the measurement precision is insufficient due to small molecular weight and low free state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bridge complex as an intermediary component consisting of a binder (antibody specific to testosterone) and a particle (gold nanoparticle). This bridge complex mediates between the testosterone analyte and the detection system, enabling sensitive detection of small molecules like testosterone that cannot be directly detected by conventional sandwich assays. The bridge complex amplifies the signal and provides a mechanism to detect analytes with low free state in blood.
2Measurement precision
If acidification or analog is used to separate binding protein from analyte, then the analyte can be accessed, but the detection accuracy is reduced due to interference from non-target materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates the binder (antibody) from the particle (gold nanoparticle) in the bridge complex, allowing the binder to specifically bind to the analyte while the particle remains available for signal generation. This separation enables the analyte to be accessed and detected without the need for acidification or analogs that cause protein denaturation, thereby maintaining detection accuracy and reducing interference from non-target materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge complex acts as an intermediary that facilitates specific binding between the binder and the analyte (testosterone) without requiring acidification or analogs. This intermediary mechanism allows the analyte to be separated from binding proteins through specific antibody-antigen interaction rather than through harsh chemical treatments, thereby maintaining analyte integrity and reducing interference from non-target materials.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a sandwich assay is used, then the detection method is straightforward, but it cannot be applied to small molecules like testosterone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bridge complex as an intermediary component consisting of a binder (antibody specific to testosterone) and a particle (gold nanoparticle). This bridge complex mediates between the testosterone analyte and the detection system, enabling sensitive detection of small molecules like testosterone that cannot be directly detected by conventional sandwich assays. The bridge complex amplifies the signal and provides a mechanism to detect analytes with low free state in blood.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the detection system by introducing a bridge complex with specific properties (binder-particle combination) that enables detection of small molecules. This parameter change allows the assay to be adapted from conventional sandwich assays to a method suitable for small molecules like testosterone, overcoming the limitation of molecular weight restrictions in traditional sandwich assays.
4Reliability
If separate washing procedure is performed to remove non-target materials, then contamination is reduced, but the process time increases and data safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates the binder (antibody) from the particle (gold nanoparticle) in the bridge complex, allowing the binder to specifically bind to the analyte while the particle remains available for signal generation. This separation enables the analyte to be accessed and detected without the need for acidification or analogs that cause protein denaturation, thereby maintaining detection accuracy and reducing interference from non-target materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge complex performs the function of both specific binding (through the binder) and signal generation (through the particle) in a single integrated component. This self-service capability eliminates the need for separate washing procedures to remove non-target materials, as the specific antibody-antigen binding inherently filters out non-target materials while the particle provides the detection signal, thereby reducing process time and maintaining data safety.
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
This method enables precise qualitative and quantitative analysis of testosterone, effectively detecting small molecules like testosterone with improved signal amplification and reduced influence from external factors, providing accurate concentration measurement.
Implementation Method 1
a novel method for detecting an analyte in a sample... using gold nanoparticles as a medium to amplify measurement signals
Implementation Method 2
gold nanoparticles as a medium to amplify measurement signals with response sensitivity increased
Implementation Method 3
the analyte in the sample binds to a bridge complex... a particle to which a binder (e.g., antibody) specific to the analyte is bound
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a novel method for detecting a detection object in a sample, and a detection device using the same. The detecting method of the present invention uses a "bridge composite" in which gold nanoparticles and an antibody specific to a detection object are coupled in order to induce a sufficient coupling reaction between the antibody and the detection object, thereby improving reactivity. Accordingly, since excellent resolution is provided, the method of the present invention has advantages of enabling accurate concentration measurement of a detection object in a sample, and amplifying a measurement signal. In addition, the method of the present invention can effectively detect small molecules such as hormones, vitamins, etc. having a small molecular weight.