Fluorogenic Hydrazinyl Dye for Aldehyde Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting aldehyde and ketone moieties in biomolecules require toxic reagents, complex purification processes, and secondary detection steps, limiting their efficiency and safety.

Innovation Solution

Development of dye compounds containing a hydrazinyl or aminooxy substituent with negatively charged groups, which rapidly form fluorescent Schiff bases or oximes with aldehydes and ketones, enabling in situ detection without reductive amination and toxic reagents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing reagents (dansyl hydrazine, fluorescein thiosemicarbazide, biotin hydrazides) are used for detecting aldehyde and ketone moieties, then detection capability is achieved, but additional purification and secondary reagents are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidpurification process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the detection function and the signal generation function into a single reagent molecule. The dye compound contains both the reactive group for detecting aldehyde/ketone moieties and the fluorogenic group for signal generation, eliminating the need for separate purification and secondary detection reagents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The dye compound serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the detection reagent for aldehyde and ketone moieties, provides the fluorescent signal for detection, and does not require additional purification steps. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall detection process.

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

2Reliability

If hydrazine, hydroxylamine and amine derivatization reagents are used to label aldehydes in carbohydrates, then labeling is achieved, but toxic reagents (borohydride, cyanoborohydride) are required for stabilizing the adduct

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelabeling stabilityVSAvoidtoxicity of stabilizing reagents
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potential instability of the hydrazone adduct into a benefit by using the fluorogenic property. The hydrazone formation is followed by in situ fluorogenic detection, eliminating the need for toxic stabilizing reagents. The detection occurs rapidly before decomposition can occur, and the fluorescent signal provides stable detection without requiring chemical stabilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the chemical stabilization mechanism (using toxic borohydride or cyanoborohydride) with a physical detection mechanism (fluorogenic detection). Instead of chemically stabilizing the adduct, the method detects the adduct through its fluorescent properties, avoiding the need for toxic reagents entirely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If derivatization reaction is performed followed by separation technique (chromatography, electrophoresis, precipitation), then labeled product is obtained, but additional time and complex procedures are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidtotal analysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates the detection function into the derivatization step itself. The dye compound is designed to provide immediate fluorogenic signal upon reaction with aldehyde or ketone moieties, performing detection preliminarily before any separation or additional processing is needed. This eliminates the sequential time loss from multiple steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the derivatization reaction and detection steps into a single simultaneous process. The dye compound reacts with the target moiety and generates the fluorescent signal in the same step, eliminating the need for separate detection procedures and reducing total analysis time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If periodate oxidation is used to introduce aldehydes into carbohydrates, then detection of reducing sugars is enabled, but toxic reagents and additional hazards for user and disposal are created

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection scopeVSAvoidtoxicity and disposal hazards
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for periodate oxidation by designing a dye compound that can directly detect native aldehyde and ketone moieties in carbohydrates and other biomolecules. This converts the harmful oxidation step into a benign direct detection approach, maintaining detection versatility while removing toxicity and disposal hazards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 dye compounds provide high specificity, stability, and quantum yield for aldehyde and ketone detection, allowing for rapid, safe, and efficient analysis in various biological samples without the need for toxic reagents or complex purification.

Implementation Method 1

Once the hydrazine reacts with an aldehyde or a ketone, a Schiff base (imine) is formed. The resultant compound is highly fluorescent thereby providing an excellent method for detection of aldehydes and ketones in solution.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSchiff base formation: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

Once the aminooxy reacts with an aldehyde or a ketone, an oxime is formed. The resultant compound is highly fluorescent thereby providing an excellent method for detection of aldehydes and ketones in solution.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxime formation: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

illuminating the complex with an appropriate wavelength to form an illuminated complex; and detecting emissions from the illuminated complex

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentEP3227264B1Hydrazinyl and aminooxy compounds and their methods of use
Publication Date: 2020.10.21 LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORP
  • EP3227264B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3227264B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3227264B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed dye compounds containing a hydrazinyl substituent and optionally, one or more negatively charged groups, such as sulfonate, phosphate, phosphonate, and/or carboxylate groups and dye compounds containing an aminooxy substitutent. The compounds are useful in the detection of analytes containing aldehyde and ketone groups, including, for example, glycans.