Engineered Biosensor Cells for Rapid Analyte Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current biosensor systems for detecting analytes in biological samples lack the sensitivity and versatility for rapid, real-time identification of infectious agents and contaminants, particularly in field-portable devices, and are not easily adaptable for multiplex detection of various targets.

Innovation Solution

Development of living, engineered biosensor cells derived from mammalian immune system components, equipped with reporter proteins and signal transduction pathways that emit detectable signals upon analyte binding, utilizing non-antibody signal transducing elements for specific analyte detection, enabling rapid and versatile detection of multiple analytes in a single assay.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional biosensor systems are used for analyte detection, then the system structure is relatively simple, but the sensitivity and versatility for rapid real-time identification are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces non-antibody signal transducing elements as intermediary components that bridge the detector molecule and the reporter protein. These elements amplify the detection signal through a multi-component signal transduction pathway, significantly enhancing detection sensitivity while maintaining system manageability through modular architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The biosensor system employs a universal platform architecture where the same basic cell line and signal transduction pathway can detect multiple different analytes by simply changing the detector molecule. This multi-functional design enables versatile detection capabilities without requiring complex system redesign for each analyte

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional biosensor systems are used, then the device design is simpler, but the adaptability for multiplex detection of various targets is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultiplex detection capabilityVSAvoidassay configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the detection system into separate functional modules: detector molecules for specific analyte recognition, non-antibody signal transducing elements for signal amplification, and reporter proteins for signal output. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each module and easy reconfiguration for multiplex detection by combining different detector-s transducing element-reporter protein triplets

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a universal non-antibody signal transducing element that can work with multiple different detector molecules and reporter proteins. This universal component enables the same basic system architecture to perform multiple detection functions simultaneously, facilitating multiplex assays without proportionally increasing system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Speed

If rapid detection is achieved through engineered biosensor cells, then the detection speed improves, but the system requires complex engineering of signal transduction pathways

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection speedVSAvoidsignal transduction pathway complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The engineered biosensor cells contain endogenous signal transduction pathways that automatically process the detection signal without external intervention. Once the detector molecule binds to the analyte, the non-antibody signal transducing elements and reporter proteins autonomously generate the detectable signal, enabling rapid detection while the cellular machinery handles the complexity of pathway coordination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the signal detection and signal amplification functions into a single integrated cellular system. The non-antibody signal transducing elements serve dual roles in both transducing the analyte-binding event and amplifying the signal through recruitment of reporter proteins, reducing the need for separate complex external amplification systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 engineered biosensor system provides sensitive and rapid detection of a wide range of analytes, including infectious agents and contaminants, with the ability to be configured for multiplex assays, enhancing the sensitivity and adaptability of biosensor technology for real-time analysis in field-portable devices.

Implementation Method 1

a reporter protein that is engineered into and produced by the living, engineered biosensor cell and that emits a detectable signal in response to certain predetermined changes in the cytosol of the living, engineered biosensor cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBioluminescence: Bioluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP3404410B1Biosensor system for the rapid detection of analytes
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 FUNDAMENTAL SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
  • EP3404410B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3404410B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3404410B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

A system, device, and method for rapid detection of analytes that includes a living, engineered biosensor cell that is typically a component of the mammalian immune system; a reporter protein that is engineered into and expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein the reporter protein emits a detectable signal in response to certain predetermined changes in the cytosol of the living, engineered cell; a signal transduction pathway expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein the signal transduction pathway controls a biological process within the cytosol of the living, engineered biosensor cell, and wherein the biochemical process, when it occurs, causes the reporter protein to emit a detectable signal; at least one type of detector molecule that is adapted to bind to a specific analyte; at least one analyte that binds to the detector molecule that is specific to that analyte; a plurality of non-antibody signal transducing elements that are either expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell or that actively bind to a receptor or a receptor component expressed by the living, engineered biosensor cell, wherein each signal transducing element is adapted to receive a detector molecule.