Exosome Isolation via Polymer-Coated Particle Encapsulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for isolating and purifying exosomes from biological samples are inefficient, often requiring complex and time-consuming procedures that can damage the structural and functional integrity of exosomes, and are limited by the need for specialized equipment and high costs.
Innovation Solution
Encapsulating exosomes using a hydrophilic polymer and inorganic oxide particles before isolation and purification, forming capsules that protect the exosomes during the process, and utilizing an aqueous micellar system for phase separation to isolate and purify them effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional ultracentrifugation methods are used for exosome isolation, then exosomes can be concentrated, but the structural and functional integrity of exosomes is damaged and the procedure becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-encapsulating exosomes in hydrophilic polymer-coated inorganic oxide particles before isolation procedures. This encapsulation is performed beforehand to protect exosomes from damage during subsequent ultracentrifugation and other isolation steps, thereby maintaining their structural and functional integrity while enabling concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydrophilic polymer-coated inorganic oxide particles as an intermediary carrier system. These particles serve as a protective medium that encapsulates exosomes, allowing them to withstand harsh isolation conditions like ultracentrifugation without damage, thus resolving the contradiction between concentration and integrity preservation.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional ultracentrifugation and filtration steps are used, then exosomes can be isolated, but the procedure requires specialized equipment and becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The encapsulated exosomes in hydrophilic polymer-coated inorganic oxide particles serve as an intermediary form that simplifies isolation. The particles can be directly isolated from biological fluids through simple centrifugation or filtration without requiring complex ultracentrifugation protocols, reducing equipment requirements and procedural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and size parameters of exosomes by encapsulating them in larger inorganic oxide particles. This size enlargement allows the use of standard centrifugation and filtration equipment instead of specialized ultracentrifugation equipment, simplifying the isolation process while maintaining isolation efficiency.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional isolation methods are used, then exosomes can be purified, but cellular debris and contaminants remain affecting downstream analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophilic polymer-coated inorganic oxide particles act as a selective intermediary carrier that binds specifically to exosomes. This selective encapsulation allows differential separation from cellular debris and contaminants during isolation, achieving higher purity without compromising exosome recovery.
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 method preserves the structural and functional integrity of exosomes, significantly increasing the yield and purity, allowing for faster and more efficient laboratory analysis, and can be adapted for high-capacity automation systems.
Implementation Method 1
Encapsulating exosomes using a hydrophilic polymer and inorganic oxide particles before isolation and purification, forming capsules that protect the exosomes during the process
Implementation Method 2
utilizing an aqueous micellar system for phase separation to isolate and purify them effectively
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method/system for preparing encapsulated exosomes from a biological sample containing exosomes, said method comprising: a) dispersing inorganic oxide particles into a buffer solution comprising a polymer and a biological sample comprising exosomes, b) allowing the polymer to react with the inorganic oxide particles to form capsules, wherein the exosomes are inside the capsules. The present disclosure also relates to a method/system for isolating and purifying encapsulated exosomes, said method comprising: a) preparing an aqueous micellar system comprising at least one surfactant, and at least one salt; b) mixing a biological sample containing encapsulated exosomes with the aqueous micellar system from step a); c) allowing the aqueous micellar system to phase separate, wherein the surfactant partitions substantially into one phase, and the other phase has a lower concentration of surfactant; and d) obtaining the encapsulated exosomes from the capsule-rich phase.