FRET Antibody Pair for Rapid Staphylococcus aureus Enterotoxin A Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current immunoassays for detecting specific target molecules, such as Staphylococcus aureus Enterotoxin A, lack sensitivity and specificity, and require complex procedures, making them inadequate for rapid and effective food safety monitoring and diagnostics.

Innovation Solution

A Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) based method using recombinant antibodies or antigen binding fragments that form a FRET pair when binding to Staphylococcus aureus Enterotoxin A, enabling a simple, rapid, and sensitive one-step immunoassay without the need for sample pretreatment, suitable for various sample types including food and environmental samples.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional immunoassays are used for detecting Staphylococcus aureus Enterotoxin A, then detection can be performed, but sensitivity and specificity are insufficient and procedures are complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivity and specificityVSAvoidassay procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical/chemical immunoassay detection systems with a FRET-based optical detection system. By using fluorescently labeled antibodies that emit energy transfer signals when bound to the target toxin, the assay achieves higher sensitivity and specificity while simplifying the detection mechanism through optical signal transduction rather than complex chemical reactions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection parameter from conventional colorimetric or chemiluminescent signals to FRET optical signals. This parameter change enables more precise measurement of toxin presence and concentration, improving detection sensitivity while allowing for automated optical readout that reduces procedural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If conventional immunoassays are used for detecting Staphylococcus aureus Enterotoxin A, then detection can be performed, but the procedure is complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection speedVSAvoidassay procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs pre-formulated FRET pairs consisting of fluorescently labeled antibodies designed to work together in a single-step detection system. These pre-prepared reagent combinations eliminate the need for multiple sequential steps including separate labeling procedures and intermediate reactions, thereby accelerating detection while maintaining simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple detection functions into a single FRET-based measurement step. By combining the binding detection and signal generation into one integrated process using fluorescently labeled antibody pairs, the assay achieves rapid results without requiring separate detection steps, thus improving productivity while reducing complexity

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 FRET method allows for the rapid detection of Staphylococcus aureus Enterotoxin A in samples within 5-10 minutes, providing effective and sensitive results, suitable for high-throughput analysis and ensuring food safety by enabling quick decision-making in food processing and healthcare settings.

Implementation Method 1

A very specific immunoassay can be obtained by the combination of antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof and tools enabling a FRET reaction in the presence of a target antigen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFörster resonance energy transfer (FRET):

Data Source

PatentUS20230400461A1Methods, antibodies or antigen binding fragments and other tools for determining target molecules

Publication Date: 2023.12.14 TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining a target molecule in a sample. Also, the invention relates to a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET, fluorescence resonance energy transfer) pair, recombinant antibodies, or antigen binding fragments thereof that bind Staphylococcus aureus Enterotoxin A and a test kit comprising the FRET pair, antibody or antigen binding fragment. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes the recombinant antibody or antigen binding fragment, and an expression vector comprising said nucleic acid molecule. Still, the invention relates to use of the FRET pair or the recombinant antibody or an antigen binding fragment thereof for determining a target molecule such as Staphylococcus aureus Enterotoxin A in a sample. And still, the invention relates to a method of producing the antibody or antigen binding fragment.