Lateral Flow Immunoassay for Prediabetes Protein Marker Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for diagnosing type 2 diabetes (T2D) are inadequate as genetic markers are not effective at the prediabetes stage and protein markers are not widely utilized.

Innovation Solution

A diagnostic kit and method utilizing protein markers MLL4, LAMA2, and PLXDC2 for detecting and identifying prediabetes and diabetes, which involves a substrate with specific areas for sample loading, capture antibodies, reagents, and detection antibodies, enabling lateral flow immunoassay.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If genetic markers are used for T2D diagnosis, then reliability is improved, but sensitivity and specificity are limited and they only show up at T2D stage rather than prediabetes stage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic reliabilityVSAvoidsensitivity and specificity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from using genetic markers to using protein markers (MLL4, LAMA2, PLXDC2) as the diagnostic parameter. Protein levels dynamically reflect disease progression and can be detected at the prediabetes stage, thereby improving both sensitivity/specificity while maintaining reliability through the systematic reflection of disease progression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If protein markers are used for diagnosis, then sensitivity and specificity are improved, but they are not widely utilized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensitivity and specificityVSAvoidadoption and utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the diagnostic approach by identifying specific protein markers (MLL4, LAMA2, PLXDC2) and developing targeted detection methods for each. This segmentation enables systematic utilization of protein markers through specialized assays, making them practically applicable and widely adoptable while maintaining high sensitivity and specificity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces specific detection reagents and assays as intermediaries between the protein markers and the diagnostic process. These intermediaries (detection antibodies, ELISA reagents, lateral flow assay components) enable the practical utilization of protein markers by providing standardized, easy-to-operate detection systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If early prevention and intervention are implemented, then incidence of T2D is reduced, but identification of high-risk subjects before clinical onset is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention effectivenessVSAvoidearly detection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables preliminary detection of prediabetes through protein marker analysis (MLL4, LAMA2, PLXDC2) before clinical diabetes onset. By detecting elevated protein levels in the prediabetes stage, the system allows early intervention and prevention measures to be implemented, thereby reducing T2D incidence while overcoming the difficulty of early detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 use of MLL4, LAMA2, and PLXDC2 protein markers effectively identifies prediabetes and diabetes with high sensitivity and specificity, as demonstrated by immunoblotting and ROC curve analysis, providing a reliable diagnostic tool.

Implementation Method 1

a capture antibody area, containing capture antibodies immobilized onto the substrate in the capture antibody area to capture prediabetes and diabetes protein markers comprising MLL4, LAMA2, and PLXDC2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntibody-antigen binding:

Implementation Method 2

a detection antibody area, containing detection antibodies to detect the captured prediabetes and diabetes protein markers comprising the MLL4, LAMA2, and PLXDC2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntibody-antigen binding:

Implementation Method 3

The diagnostic kit device/apparatus of the invention is optimized for performance by lateral flow immunoassay

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP3969914B1LAMA2, plxdc2 and MLL4 as novel biomarkers for prediabetes and diabetes
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 ACAD SINICA
  • EP3969914B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3969914B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3969914B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to LAMA2, PLXDC2 and MLL4 as novel biomarkers for prediabetes and diabetes. Specifically, use of a set of probes with specific binding affinities to prediabetes and diabetes protein markers comprising MLL4, LAMA2, and PLXDC2 for screening prediabetes and diabetes for care and/or treatment is disclosed. The set of probes comprises a first probe, a second probe and a third probe having specific binding affinities to the MLL4, LAMA2, and PLXDC2, respectively. A diagnostic kit device/apparatus comprising a set of probes is disclosed. A method for detecting and identifying prediabetes and/or diabetes in a subject in need thereof is also disclosed. The subject in need thereof identified as having prediabetes or diabetes is subject to a care and/or a treatment regime for the prediabetes or diabetes. Also disclosed is a method for identifying prediabetes and/or diabetes protein markers.