Coronavirus Detection Using Lectin-Glycoprotein Binding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting coronaviruses, such as PCR-based nucleic acid amplification and serological tests, face challenges including the need for pure starting material, complexity, and sensitivity to contamination, which limits throughput and accuracy, especially during outbreaks like COVID-19, and serological tests are delayed due to antibody generation time.
Innovation Solution
A method using lectins to bind coronavirus glycoproteins, involving a solution to neutralize and expose glycoproteins, a conjugate with a selective lectin, and a detection zone with immobilized lectins to detect coronavirus presence, utilizing O-glycan binding lectins like HMA, SAMB SNA-I, and ABL, and a kit with components like ethanol and sodium dichloroisocyanurate to facilitate detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If PCR-based nucleic acid amplification is used for coronavirus detection, then detection sensitivity is improved, but device complexity and analysis time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and detects specific glycoprotein components of the coronavirus using lectins, rather than amplifying the entire nucleic acid. This extraction approach simplifies the detection system by focusing on a specific viral component that can be directly bound and detected by lectin-conjugate interactions, eliminating the need for complex PCR amplification machinery while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces lectins as intermediary molecules that specifically bind to glycoproteins on the coronavirus surface. These lectins serve as mediators between the virus and the detection system, enabling direct detection without nucleic acid amplification. The lectin-conjugate system acts as an intermediary that simplifies the detection pathway while maintaining specificity
2Measurement precision
If PCR-based nucleic acid amplification is used for coronavirus detection, then detection sensitivity is improved, but analysis time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary action by using lectins that are pre-configured to specifically recognize and bind coronavirus glycoproteins. The lectin-conjugate system is prepared in advance with signal generation capabilities, allowing direct detection upon contact with the virus without requiring time-consuming amplification cycles. This preliminary preparation of the detection reagent significantly reduces analysis time
3Measurement precision
If PCR-based nucleic acid amplification is used for coronavirus detection, then detection capability is improved, but susceptibility to contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and detects viral glycoproteins directly from the sample using lectins, bypassing the nucleic acid extraction and amplification process. This direct extraction approach reduces the number of handling steps and potential contamination sources inherent in PCR workflows, while maintaining the ability to specifically identify viral material through lectin-glycoprotein binding
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses lectins that are copied or replicated as standardized detection reagents with consistent binding properties. These lectin-conjugates serve as standardized copies of the detection mechanism that are less susceptible to contamination compared to PCR reagents, as they rely on stable protein-carbohydrate interactions rather than amplifiable nucleic acid sequences
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
This approach allows for rapid and selective detection of coronaviruses from samples, including surfaces and body fluids, reducing contamination risks and increasing throughput by leveraging the binding properties of lectins to glycoproteins, providing a more efficient and accurate diagnostic method.
Implementation Method 1
a first lectin adapted to bind the glycoproteins, wherein the binding is selective... an immobilized second lectin adapted to bind the glycoproteins, wherein the binding is selective... wherein the first lectin and the second lectin are selected from O-glycan binding lectins
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for detecting coronaviruses from samples wherein the detecting is performed in the aid of sialic acid and/or O-glycan binding lectins. According to one embodiment the method comprises subjecting the coronavirus (200) to a solution (201) comprising a component (202) adapted to neutralize the coronavirus and a component (203) adapted to expose glycoproteins of the coronavirus. When the sample comprises the virus, the exposed glycoproteins bind to a lectin (206) of a conjugate (204) to form a complex (208). Exposure of an immobilized lectin (209) to the complex gives rise to another complex (210) on detection zone (205b) of the probe. Signal derived from the signal generating means (207) in the detection zone is an indication of the presence of coronavirus. The method relates also to kits for use in the method.