Modular Connector System for Multiplexed Biological Sample Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for analyzing biological samples with multiple fluorescent markers are time-consuming and expensive, limiting the ability to identify and visualize multiple cell types simultaneously in imaging experiments.
Innovation Solution
A connector system comprising a first affinity reagent, a backbone with a cleavage site, and a first affinity interactor that binds specifically to a second affinity interactor with a label, allowing for efficient and cost-effective generation of markers with diverse fluorescent properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fluorescent dyes are distributed to all markers to identify cell types, functional markers, and morphological markers, then the identification capability is improved, but the cost and time expenditure for generating diverse markers increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The marker system is segmented into modular components: a backbone structure, affinity reagents for specific target recognition, and fluorescent labels. This segmentation allows independent optimization and combination of components, enabling rapid generation of diverse markers without proportional increase in time and cost expenditure.
Solution Approach 2:
The backbone structure serves as a universal platform that can bind multiple different affinity reagents and fluorescent labels. This multi-functionality allows a single backbone design to support numerous marker variants, significantly reducing the overall time and cost required to generate diverse markers for multiple targets.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fluorescent dyes are distributed to all markers to identify cell types, functional markers, and morphological markers, then the identification capability is improved, but the cost for generating diverse markers increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The universal backbone design allows a single structural platform to support multiple affinity reagents and fluorescent labels. This reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating the need to separately optimize and produce entirely distinct marker molecules for each target, thereby improving ease of manufacture while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changing parameters such as the type of affinity reagent, fluorescent label, and their combinations on the same backbone without fundamental redesign. This parameter-based customization approach reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the ability to identify multiple cell types and markers.
3Productivity
If a limited number of fluorescent dyes are used, then the cost and time expenditure are reduced, but the number of structures that can be marked and identified simultaneously is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the marker into backbone and interchangeable affinity reagent-label components, the system enables efficient reuse of the backbone structure across multiple markers. This segmentation allows a limited set of backbones combined with varied affinity reagents and labels to identify many more structures than would be possible with complete marker redesign for each target.
Solution Approach 2:
The backbone acts as an intermediary platform that mediates between the affinity reagent (specificity) and the fluorescent label (detection). This intermediary role allows decoupling of specificity and detection functions, enabling efficient combination of limited fluorescent dyes with multiple affinity reagents to mark and identify numerous structures simultaneously.
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 rapid and cost-effective generation of markers for biological sample analysis, allowing for the simultaneous visualization of multiple target molecules with distinct fluorescent labels, thereby improving the efficiency and accuracy of imaging experiments.
Implementation Method 1
comprising at least one first affinity reagent configured to bind directly or indirectly to a target molecule
Implementation Method 2
wherein the first affinity interactor is configured to specifically bind to a second affinity interactor comprising a label in order to bind the label to the backbone
Data Source
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AI summary
A connector (100) is provided for analysing biological samples comprising at least one first affinity reagent (102) configured to bind directly or indirectly to a target molecule (104); a backbone (106) connected to the first affinity reagent (102) and comprising at least one first affinity interactor (110); wherein the first affinity interactor (110) is configured to specifically bind to a second affinity interactor (112) comprising a label (114) in order to bind the label (114) to the backbone (106); wherein the backbone (106) comprises a cleavage site (108) for irreversibly separating the first affinity reagent (102) and the first affinity interactor (110) with the label (114). In a further aspect, a marker and a method for analysing biological samples are provided.