Functionalised Nanoparticles for Sensitive Fluorescence Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional colloidal gold-based lateral flow assays are ineffective in detecting early-stage infections with low pathogen loads due to high gold-antibody requirements and variable reaction conditions, leading to poor clinical sensitivity and increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
Development of functionalised nanoparticles with a polymer coating comprising charged and uncharged groups at a specific ratio, conjugatable with biomolecules, which can be used to form nanoparticle-biomolecule conjugates for sensitive fluorescence-based detection of target analytes under mild reaction conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If colloidal gold-based LFA is used to detect target analyte, then the detection can be performed, but the clinical sensitivity is poor and production cost is high due to requiring large amount of gold-antibody conjugate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from colloidal gold to quantum dots, which have superior optical properties and higher signal intensity. This allows detection at lower analyte concentrations, improving clinical sensitivity while reducing the amount of conjugate material needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite nanoparticle structures combining quantum dots with polymer coatings and biomolecule conjugates. This composite approach enhances the detection signal while maintaining specificity, allowing effective detection with reduced material quantities.
2Ease of manufacture
If different reaction conditions are used to conjugate each antibody to the gold particle, then the conjugation can be achieved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal conjugation platform using quantum dots with standardized functional groups that can be conjugated to multiple types of biomolecules under similar conditions. This replaces the need for different reaction conditions for each antibody, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces polymer coatings as intermediaries between the quantum dots and biomolecules. These polymers provide standardized conjugation chemistry that works for various biomolecules, eliminating the need for optimized reaction conditions for each specific antibody-gold conjugation.
3Measurement precision
If colloidal gold-based LFA is used, then the detection system can be established, but it cannot detect early stage infections with low pathogen load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters by using quantum dots instead of colloidal gold. Quantum dots provide higher quantum yield and narrower emission spectra, enabling detection at lower analyte concentrations and improving both detection limit and reliability for early-stage infections.
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 functionalised nanoparticles enable the detection of low concentrations of target analytes with improved clinical sensitivity and reduced production costs by minimizing non-specific adsorption and requiring mild reaction conditions, facilitating early diagnosis and treatment.
Implementation Method 1
the polymer comprises charged and uncharged groups at a ratio ranging from 4:1 to 1:4
Implementation Method 2
the polymer possesses a functional group that can react with a functional group on the nanoparticle to covalently bond the polymer to the nanoparticle
Implementation Method 3
the polymer is bonded to the nanoparticle without reaction, for example by hydrogen bonding, ionic bonding or electrostatic forces
Implementation Method 4
the polymer is bonded to the nanoparticle without reaction, for example by hydrogen bonding, ionic bonding or electrostatic forces
Implementation Method 5
conjugatable with a biomolecule that can bond with the target analyte... sensitive fluorescence-based detection of target analytes
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A functionalised nanoparticle (10) that is at least in part coated by a polymer (14), wherein the polymer (14) comprises charged and uncharged groups at a ratio ranging from 4:1 to 1:4 and the functionalised nanoparticle (10) is conjugatable or can be functionalised to conjugate with a biomolecule (18).