Encoded Chromophoric Polymer Particles for Multiplex Bioanalysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack reliable methods for massively parallel optical encoding on the nanometer scale, limiting the ability to rapidly screen large numbers of nucleic acids and proteins in bioanalytical applications.
Innovation Solution
Development of encoded chromophoric polymer particles with a polymer matrix and distinct chromophores that possess tunable optical coding parameters, enabling the creation of unique optically detectable codes for identifying and quantifying analytes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If optical encoding is used to enable high throughput analysis, then the coding capacity increases exponentially, but reliable technologies for massively parallel coding on the nanometer scale are not available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying multiple optical parameters including emission wavelength, fluorescence lifetime, quantum yield, and excitation wavelength to create distinct optical codes. This allows encoding of numerous analytes by changing physical parameters of the chromophores rather than requiring complex structural modifications at the nanometer scale, thereby achieving high throughput analysis with reliable coding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining chromophores with different optical properties within a single particle system. The use of multiple chromophores with distinct emission wavelengths, lifetimes, and quantum yields creates a composite optical system that can simultaneously encode multiple analytes, resolving the contradiction between high coding capacity and technological reliability.
2Productivity
If multiple chromophores with different optical properties are used to increase coding capacity, then the number of detectable codes increases, but the complexity of the encoding system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a multi-functional chromophore system where each chromophore contributes multiple encoding dimensions (wavelength, lifetime, quantum yield). This allows a single set of chromophores to provide multiple coding parameters simultaneously, increasing the number of detectable codes without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-dimensional encoding (wavelength only) to multi-dimensional encoding by incorporating fluorescence lifetime and quantum yield as additional coding dimensions. This dimensional expansion allows exponential increase in coding capacity while using the same physical components, thereby increasing productivity without linearly increasing device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If chromophores with distinct optical properties are incorporated into polymer particles, then unique optical codes can be defined, but the manufacturing precision required to control chromophore distribution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the particle population into distinct groups, each containing chromophores with specific optical properties. This segmentation approach allows precise optical coding at the population level rather than requiring atomic-level precision in individual particle manufacturing, thereby achieving high measurement precision without excessive manufacturing precision requirements.
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
Enables high-throughput bioanalytical analysis by allowing for the simultaneous identification and quantification of multiple analytes through unique optical codes, overcoming limitations of existing encoding methods on the nanometer scale.
Implementation Method 1
each chromophore of the plurality of distinct chromophores comprises a predetermined set of tunable optical coding parameters, thereby defining an optically detectable code for the polymer particle
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides encoded chromophoric polymer particles that are capable of, for example, optical and/or biomolecular encoding of analytes. The present disclosure also provides suspensions comprising a plurality of encoded chromophoric polymer particles. The present disclosure also provides methods of using the encoded chromophoric polymer particles and systems for performing multiplex analysis with encoded chromophoric polymer particles.