Molecular Recognition Element Surface Polymerization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current molecular recognition methods face limitations in controlling specificity and affinity for both small and complex targets, particularly due to size and solubility constraints, and are not effectively applicable to large supramolecular complexes like viruses, where the availability of binding functions is limited and difficult to control.
Innovation Solution
A method involving binding a template to a carrier material, providing recognition material, initiating and stopping polymerization on the surface to create a molecular recognition element with predefined imprint size, allowing for precise control of affinity and specificity by adjusting the thickness and duration of polymerization, enabling recognition of various targets including viruses and supramolecular complexes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If bulk-polymerization of monomers around a template is performed, then the quantity of binding-functions is increased, but the accessibility of these binding-functions is limited due to formation inside the polymer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the polymerization process into two distinct stages: first forming a thin polymerized recognition material layer on the carrier surface, then performing bulk polymerization. This segmentation allows the binding-functions to be formed in an accessible location (on the surface) rather than being trapped inside a bulk polymer, resolving the contradiction between quantity and accessibility of binding-functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional bulk polymerization (three-dimensional polymerization throughout the solution) to surface-initiated polymerization (two-dimensional polymerization on the carrier surface). This dimensional change ensures that binding-functions are formed on the accessible surface rather than being distributed throughout an inaccessible bulk polymer matrix.
2Ease of operation
If a monomolecular layer is grown on the surface where template is immobilized, then the template can be removed to create binding sites, but the thickness limits recognition to small molecules only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary surface polymerization to create a thin polymerized recognition material layer on the carrier surface before removing the template. This preliminary action ensures that when the template is removed, the binding-functions are already formed and accessible on the surface, allowing recognition of larger targets while maintaining accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thickness parameter of the polymerized recognition material from a single monomolecular layer (1-2 nm) to a controlled thin layer with adjustable thickness. This parameter change enables the recognition element to accommodate larger targets such as proteins and viruses while maintaining surface accessibility of binding-functions.
3Ease of manufacture
If template is covalently immobilized on silica surface with silane polymerization, then molecular recognition element can be formed, but the method is limited to small targets and does not allow controlling affinity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control over the polymerization process by allowing adjustment of polymerization time and conditions. This enables control over the thickness of the polymerized recognition material layer, which in turn controls the affinity and specificity of the molecular recognition element. The method can be adapted to recognize targets of various sizes from small molecules to large supramolecular complexes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal platform for molecular recognition that can accommodate various types of templates and targets. By using a carrier material with surface-initiated polymerization, the method can be applied to create recognition elements for small molecules, proteins, viruses, and other supramolecular complexes, providing broad versatility and adaptability.
4Force
If polymerization is performed to create sufficient binding-functions, then the affinity increases, but the size of imprints becomes uncontrolled and binding functions become less accessible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary surface polymerization to create a thin polymerized recognition material layer with controlled thickness on the carrier surface before removing the template. This preliminary action ensures that the imprints formed have controlled size and shape, preventing uncontrolled growth that would reduce accessibility. The controlled thickness maintains both sufficient binding-functions and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the polymerization parameters (time, temperature, monomer concentration) to precisely control the thickness of the polymerized recognition material layer. This parameter control ensures that imprints are formed with optimal size and shape, maintaining both high affinity through sufficient binding-functions and high accessibility through controlled imprint dimensions.
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 method produces molecular recognition elements with fully accessible binding functions, allowing precise control of affinity and specificity, overcoming size limitations and enabling effective recognition of complex targets like viruses, with potential applications in diagnostics, therapeutic treatments, and purification processes.
Implementation Method 1
binding a template to a surface of a carrier material
Implementation Method 2
initiating polymerization of the recognition material on the surface of the carrier material
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for preparation of a molecular recognition element (1, 11, 111) comprising the steps of binding a template (4) to a surface of a carrier material (3, 30), providing a recognition material to the surface of the carrier material (3, 30), initiating polymerization of the recognition material on the surface of the carrier material (3, 30), stopping the polymerization of the recognition material on the surface of the carrier material (3, 30), and releasing the template (4) from the surface of the carrier material (3, 30) and the polymerized recognition material (6, 60). The method is characterized in that an aim size of individual imprints (10, 100, 120) is predefined, and the polymerization of the recognition material on the surface of the carrier material (3, 30) is stopped when a size of individual imprints (10, 100, 120) of the polymerized recognition material (6, 60) essentially equals the predefined aim size. This method is readily applicable for preparation of a molecular recognition element al (1, 11, 111) useful as a drug, catalyst, competitive affinity ligand inhibitor, competitor, agonist, antagonist or diagnostic agent.