Core-Shell Particulate Sensing Elements for Nucleic Acid Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensing technologies using nucleic acids for measuring properties in specific settings face limitations due to incomplete recovery and non-specific damage, leading to low accuracy and limited applicability, particularly when only one property can be determined.
Innovation Solution
Development of core-shell particles with encapsulated nucleic acids, comprising a sensing sequence and a control sequence, where the sensing sequence degrades in response to a specific property of interest, allowing for accurate measurement through PCR-based quantification of degradation differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If nucleic acid-based sensing elements are used to measure properties in specific settings, then the sensing capability is provided, but the measurement accuracy is limited due to incomplete recovery and non-specific damage
Solution Approach 1:
The nucleic acid sensing element is segmented into two functional sequences: a sensing sequence that degrades in response to the property of interest and a control sequence that remains stable. This segmentation allows the system to differentiate between specific property-induced degradation and non-specific damage, thereby improving measurement accuracy even when particle recovery is incomplete
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes parameter changes in nucleic acid degradation patterns to indicate the property of interest. By measuring the differential degradation between the sensing sequence (which changes in response to the property) and the control sequence (which serves as a stable reference), the system achieves accurate measurements despite variations in recovery completeness
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single nucleic acid sequence is used for sensing, then the sensing function is simple, but the applicability is limited to determining only one specific property
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-sequence nucleic acid sensing element provides multi-functionality by enabling the determination of multiple properties through different degradation patterns. The sensing sequence can be designed to respond to various properties (temperature, pH, enzymatic activity, etc.) while the control sequence universally serves as a stable reference, making the system adaptable to diverse measurement applications
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic degradation responses where the sensing sequence undergoes property-specific structural or compositional changes leading to differential degradation. This dynamic response mechanism allows the same sensing element structure to detect multiple different properties by varying the degradation pattern between the sensing and control sequences
3Adaptability or versatility
If particles are exposed to harsh environments for measurement, then the sensing capability in challenging environments is achieved, but non-specific damage occurs reducing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The control sequence provides a feedback mechanism by serving as an internal reference that reflects the extent of non-specific damage incurred during exposure to harsh environments. By comparing the degradation of the sensing sequence against this feedback from the control sequence, the system can distinguish between property-specific degradation and environmental damage, maintaining measurement accuracy in challenging conditions
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 approach enables improved accuracy and broader applicability in measuring various properties by differentiating between specific property-induced degradation and other forms of damage, even with partial recovery of particles, providing precise readouts in challenging environments.
Implementation Method 1
both groups of nucleic acids are accessible to a property of interest and/or reagents, in particular to reagents for amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to core-shell particles comprising encapsulated nucleic acids—a sensing sequence and a control sequence; the invention further relates to the use of such particles as a sensing element; to methods for measuring a property of interest in a setting employing such particles; to measuring systems and analytical kits comprising such particles.