Light-Activated Analyte Capture for Spatially Resolved Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques fail to provide spatially resolved data on the position of single cells within a biological sample, limiting the ability to efficiently target and collect analytes from specific regions of interest.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving a feature capture device with a capture surface that activates upon exposure to light, allowing for the selective capture and retrieval of analytes from a substrate, and an alternative method using photo-sensitive bonds to release analytes by cleaving bonds with light, enabling spatially targeted capture and retrieval of analytes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional techniques are used to study spatial heterogeneity, then data can be obtained for a handful of analytes in intact tissue or significant analyte data from individual cells, but spatial position information of single cells within the tissue is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a photonic copy or map of the tissue spatial architecture by projecting light patterns onto the tissue and capturing the reflected or transmitted light. This optical copying process preserves spatial position information in a detectable format without physically disrupting the tissue structure, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining tissue integrity and obtaining precise spatial measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical dissection or physical separation methods with optical fields (light) to probe and map tissue architecture. By using light instead of mechanical means to obtain spatial information, the tissue remains intact while precise spatial position data is acquired, eliminating the information loss that occurs with traditional mechanical approaches.
2Ease of operation
If light is projected onto the capture surface to activate analyte capture, then selective capture of analytes from specific regions is achieved, but the device complexity increases due to light source integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the probe device: the same device that captures analytes also incorporates the light source or light guidance mechanism. This multi-functionality allows selective analyte capture through light activation while consolidating components to manage device complexity, as the light delivery system serves both activation and potential detection purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical fibers or waveguides as intermediaries to deliver light to the capture surface. This intermediary approach allows precise spatial control of light delivery to activate analyte capture only in specific regions of interest, while the light source itself can be positioned separately, thereby managing device complexity through modular design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If photo-sensitive bonds are used to attach features to substrate, then spatially targeted release of analytes is enabled by light cleavage, but the reliability of analyte attachment may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs photo-sensitive bonds that exhibit different properties at different locations: in unexposed regions, the bonds provide strong, stable attachment to ensure reliability; in light-exposed regions, the bonds are selectively cleaved to enable spatially targeted release. This local differentiation of bond properties resolves the contradiction between attachment stability and controlled release capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in the chemical parameters of photo-sensitive bonds upon light exposure. The bonds transition from a stable, attached state to a cleaved, released state based on light activation. This parameter change allows the system to maintain reliable attachment under normal conditions while enabling spatially targeted release when needed, resolving the apparent contradiction between stability and adaptability.
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
Enables efficient and precise capture and retrieval of analytes from specific regions of interest, facilitating detailed spatial analysis and reuse of the substrate for further analysis.
Implementation Method 1
The capture surface can be activated to attach (e.g., adhesively attach) the features of interest when a beam of light is projected on an area of the capture surface that corresponds to the features of interest on the substrate
Implementation Method 2
A region of interest can be identified on the feature array using, for example, the instrument described herein, and a beam of light is projected onto the region of interest so that the photo-sensitive bonds affixing the features in the region of interest are cleaved, and the features in the region of interest are released from the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for targeting one or more features in a region of interest, and efficiently removing the features from an array of features. The systems and methods can remove one or more beads that contain analytes, intermediate agents, or a combination thereof, from the region of interest of a substrate by emitting light toward the beads on the substrate.