Magnetic Detection Conjugates for Orientation-Free Sperm Sorting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sorting spermatozoa based on sex chromosomes require orientation of spermatozoa for optical detection, which limits the measurement of quantitative fluorescence differences between X- and Y-chromosome containing spermatozoa.
Innovation Solution
Development of detection conjugates containing sex-chromosome-specific nucleic acid sequences, such as PNA, paired with fluorochromes or gold nanoparticles, that emit detectable signals only upon hybridization with the target chromosome, allowing for contactless detection and sorting of spermatozoa without specific orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If spermatozoa are oriented for optical detection, then measurement of fluorescence signals is enabled, but the complexity of the sorting process increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical orientation system with a magnetic detection system. Instead of physically orienting spermatozoa using mechanical means, the invention uses magnetic beads conjugated with antibodies that bind to sperm surface antigens, enabling detection of sperm orientation and fluorescence signals through magnetic field interaction without requiring complex mechanical orientation apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic beads as an intermediary between the detection system and spermatozoa. These beads bind to sperm surface antigens via antibodies and carry magnetic properties, serving as a mediator that enables non-contact detection and sorting. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for direct mechanical manipulation of spermatozoa, thereby improving productivity while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If spermatozoa are oriented mechanically, then fluorescence detection is possible, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes complex mechanical orientation devices with a simpler magnetic field-based detection system. Magnetic beads conjugated with specific antibodies bind to sperm surface antigens, and their magnetic properties allow detection of sperm orientation and fluorescence signals without requiring complex mechanical orientation apparatus, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from direct optical measurement of oriented sperm to magnetic field interaction of antibody-coated magnetic beads bound to sperm. This parameter change enables fluorescence detection through magnetic signal modulation, eliminating the need for complex mechanical orientation systems and simplifying the overall device architecture.
3Measurement precision
If quantitative fluorescence measurement is performed on oriented spermatozoa, then sex chromosome identification is enabled, but the sorting process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary binding of magnetic beads conjugated with sex-chromosome-specific antibodies to spermatozoa before the sorting process. This preliminary action pre-marks the sperm with magnetic tags that carry fluorescence indicators, enabling rapid sex chromosome identification during sorting without requiring time-consuming orientation steps, thereby reducing overall sorting time while maintaining identification precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces time-consuming mechanical orientation procedures with rapid magnetic field-based detection. The magnetic beads bound to sperm surface antigens allow instantaneous detection of sperm orientation and fluorescence signals through magnetic field interaction, significantly reducing the time required for sex chromosome identification while maintaining measurement precision.
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 the production of sex-chromosome-specific sperm fractions with significant qualitative signal deviations, facilitating sorting into distinct fractions without requiring spermatozoa orientation, and allows for deactivation based on signal thresholds.
Implementation Method 1
The sex-chromosome-specific nucleic acid sequence of the detection conjugate hybridizes with the sex chromosome, and thereby changes the detectable signal of the label
Implementation Method 2
the detectable label of the detection conjugate consists of a fluorochrome bound to the nucleic acid sequence
Implementation Method 3
the detectable label consists of a metallic nanoparticle, preferably a gold nanoparticle
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and to compounds useable in the method for analysis of cells for the presence of an analyte and sorting the cells on the basis of the analyte. The compounds used in the method are optically detectable because of the content of a fluorochrome and contain a binder fraction which can specifically bind an analyte, in particular an oligonucleotide.