DNA-Based Thermometer for High-Resolution Temperature Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current temperature measurement techniques in small volumes, such as droplet-based PCR and temperature-gradient gel electrophoresis, face challenges with inadequate spatial and temperature resolution, and some methods, like resistance temperature detectors and thermocouples, introduce heat loads, while infrared detectors offer limited temperature resolution and complexity in application.
Innovation Solution
A DNA-based temperature sensor system that utilizes DNA strands transitioning from a coupled to a decoupled configuration at a temperature threshold, combined with a fluorescent dye to emit fluorescence, allowing for imaging and processing to generate a temperature map, which includes a receptacle, light source, filters, and an imaging device to determine fluorescence levels and create a temperature map.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If resistance temperature detectors or thermocouples are used for temperature measurement, then temperature measurement capability is provided, but heat load is introduced from the sensor itself
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces contact-based thermal sensors (resistance temperature detectors and thermocouples) with a non-contact optical measurement system. The system uses fluorescent dyes whose emission properties change with temperature, allowing temperature measurement without physical contact and thus eliminating heat load from the sensor to the measured medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in fluorescent emission parameters (intensity, wavelength, lifetime) of dye molecules in response to temperature-induced conformational changes in DNA strands. This parameter change approach enables temperature sensing without introducing heat, as the measurement is based on optical property changes rather than thermal contact.
2Length of moving object
If infrared detectors are used for temperature measurement, then sub-micron spatial resolution is achieved, but temperature resolution is limited to 2-3 degrees Celsius
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs fluorescent dyes with temperature-dependent emission characteristics that provide superior temperature resolution. The fluorescent emission properties (intensity, spectral shape, lifetime) change in response to temperature-induced DNA conformational changes, enabling temperature resolution better than 0.1°C, which surpasses the 2-3°C resolution limit of infrared detectors.
3Measurement precision
If cholesteric liquid crystals are used for temperature sensing, then high temperature and spatial resolution are achieved, but application complexity increases due to surface treatment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces cholesteric liquid crystal-based temperature sensing with a fluorescent DNA-dye system that does not require complex surface treatments. The fluorescent dyes are applied to the surface and their emission properties directly report temperature through DNA conformational changes, eliminating the need for black paint primer application and other complex surface preparation steps required by liquid crystal methods.
4Measurement precision
If DNA strands transition from coupled to decoupled configuration at temperature threshold, then high temperature resolution is achieved, but the system requires multiple components (fluorescent dye, imaging device, processing system)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a unified system: the fluorescent dye serves both as the temperature-sensing element and the optical reporter, the DNA strands provide the temperature-responsive conformational change mechanism, and the imaging device captures both spatial and intensity information. This multi-functional integration achieves high temperature resolution while managing system complexity through coordinated component design.
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 DNA-based temperature sensor achieves high spatial and temperature resolution, with a dynamic range of approximately 10°C, and is biocompatible, suitable for lab-on-chip applications and biological systems, providing a heat map with a resolution of about 0.15°C and 1 μm spatial resolution.
Implementation Method 1
a fluorescent dye adapted to emit fluorescence when the DNA is in the coupled configuration
Implementation Method 2
a transition of one or more strands of DNA from a coupled configuration to a decoupled configuration at a temperature threshold
Data Source
AI summary
DNA-based temperature sensor for measuring temperature through a transition of one or more strands of DNA from a coupled configuration to a decoupled configuration at a temperature threshold, and a fluorescent dye adapted to emit fluorescence when the DNA is in the coupled configuration, includes a receptacle adapted to receive the DNA and the fluorescent dye in a solution, an imaging device adapted to acquire an image of fluorescence emitted from the solution, the image having a plurality of regions, and a processor adapted to determine a plurality of fluorescence levels corresponding to each of the plurality of regions of the image and to generate a temperature map based on the determined fluorescence levels. A method for measuring temperature and a DNA-based temperature sensing solution are also provided.