Copolymer-Coated Biomaterial Container for Low Sample Loss
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current containers for storing biomaterials suffer from sample loss due to the adsorption of proteins and endogenous metabolites, which are biomarkers, onto their inner surfaces, hindering accurate and precise analysis.
Innovation Solution
A container with a coating containing a copolymer that includes specific anionic and cationic groups, which forms an ionic bond to suppress biomarker adhesion, providing resistance to aqueous solvents and radiation, and reducing sample loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a conventional container (glass or plastic) is used for storing biomaterial, then the container provides basic storage functionality, but proteins and endogenous metabolites are adsorbed on the inner surface causing sample loss
Solution Approach 1:
A coating layer comprising a copolymer of specific anionic and cationic groups is introduced as an intermediary between the container surface and the biomaterial. This coating prevents direct contact between the biomarkers and the container surface, thereby eliminating adsorption while maintaining storage functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The container surface is modified by applying a composite coating material consisting of copolymer molecules with both anionic and cationic groups. This composite structure creates a unique surface property that simultaneously repels proteins and endogenous metabolites, reducing sample loss.
2Loss of substance
If plasma treatment or corona discharge treatment is applied to modify the inner surface hydrophilic, then adsorption of proteins is suppressed, but the treatment does not provide sufficient resistance to aqueous solvents and radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The coating comprises a copolymer with both anionic and cationic groups that forms a stable composite structure on the container surface. This composite material provides not only adhesion suppression but also enhanced resistance to aqueous solvents and radiation, overcoming the limitations of plasma or corona discharge treatments.
Solution Approach 2:
The chemical composition and surface properties of the container are modified by applying a coating with specific copolymer ratios and molecular structures. This parameter change transforms the surface from a reactive state (prone to adsorption) to a stable state with resistance to aqueous solvents and radiation.
3Measurement precision
If a coating with adhesion suppressing ability is applied, then biomarker adsorption is reduced, but the coating may not provide sufficient resistance to aqueous solvents and radiation for long-term storage
Solution Approach 1:
The coating is designed as a composite material with copolymer molecules containing both anionic and cationic groups in specific ratios. This composite structure provides dual functionality: high adhesion suppression for accurate biomarker analysis and robust resistance to aqueous solvents and radiation for long-term storage stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coating provides different functional properties at different aspects of the surface: high adhesion suppression capability for biomarker interaction and enhanced stability against aqueous solvents and radiation for environmental resistance. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between measurement precision and compositional stability.
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 coated container effectively reduces biomarker adhesion to its surface, minimizing sample loss and enabling accurate and precise analysis of biomarkers during storage and measurement.
Implementation Method 1
A container with a coating containing a copolymer that includes specific anionic and cationic groups, which forms an ionic bond to suppress biomarker adhesion
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 3
AI summary
This is to provide an excellent container for storing a biomaterial in which adhesion of a minute amount of a biomarker(s) contained in the biomaterial to the surface of the container for storage can be suppressed, sample loss is reduced, and it enables analysis with accuracy and highly precision. Provided is a container for storing a biomaterial for reducing sample loss of a biomarker(s) contained in the biomaterial, which has a coating containing a copolymer which contains a recurring unit which contains a group represented by the following formula (a), a recurring unit which contains a group represented by the following formula (b), and optionally a recurring unit which contains a group represented by the following formula (c), on at least a part of the surface of the container. -Rc (c) (wherein, Ua1, Ua2, Ua3, Ub1, Ub2, Ub3, An- and Rc are as defined in the present description and claims.)