Ferrocene-Labeled Cocaine Aptamer for High-Sensitivity Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting cocaine lack sufficient sensitivity and specificity, particularly in undiluted blood serum, as evident from the S/N ratio of 1.05 in existing aptamer-based sensors.

Innovation Solution

Development of a cocaine aptamer represented by chemical formulas (CI) and (CII), incorporating a ferrocene group, which enhances detection sensitivity through specific binding and subsequent measurement of reduction currents using cyclic voltammetry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a cocaine aptamer with methylene blue label is used for detection, then the detection method can be implemented, but the signal-to-noise ratio is low (1.05) indicating insufficient detection sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidsignal-to-noise ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrochemical label from methylene blue to ferrocene group, which fundamentally alters the electrochemical parameters of the detection system. The ferrocene group provides significantly higher electrochemical activity and signal intensity, directly improving the signal-to-noise ratio from 1.05 to much higher values, thereby resolving the contradiction between detection sensitivity and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite aptamer structure by conjugating the cocaine-binding aptamer sequence with a ferrocene group through a linker molecule. This composite structure combines the specific molecular recognition capability of the aptamer with the high electrochemical signal properties of ferrocene, achieving both high sensitivity and reliability in cocaine detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 cocaine aptamer achieves higher sensitivity in detecting cocaine, with a significant increase in the signal-to-noise ratio, enabling more accurate and reliable detection compared to previous methods.

Implementation Method 1

The reduction current of MB with regard to the cocaine aqueous solution having a concentration of 0 μM (namely, the aqueous solution which does not contain cocaine) is approximately 380 nanoampere. The reduction current of MB with regard to the cocaine aqueous solution having a concentration of 250 μM is approximately 400 nanoampere.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReduction reaction: Reduction

Data Source

PatentUS10196679B2Cocaine aptamer and method for detecting cocaine using the same
Publication Date: 2019.02.05 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • US10196679B2 patent drawing
  • US10196679B2 patent drawing
  • US10196679B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention provides a cocaine aptamer represented by at least one selected from the group consisting of the following chemical formula (CI) and the following chemical formula (CII),5′-R-DNA-L-Fc-3′  (CI)5′-Fc-L-DNA-R-3′  (CII)whereR is selected from the group consisting of a hydrocarbon group and the derivative thereof;DNA consists of a gene sequence capable of binding to cocaine;L is absent or an optional linker; andFc represents a ferrocene group.The above-identified cocaine aptamer is used to detect cocaine with high sensitivity.