Molecular Sensor Scaffold Alignment for Dichroic Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current molecular detection methods relying on dichroism are limited to large molecules with high aspect ratios, as they require inherent alignment, restricting the analysis to only those molecules that can bind to naturally alignable receptors, thus excluding most molecules with low aspect ratios like spheres.

Innovation Solution

A molecular sensor system utilizing a scaffold moiety with a high aspect ratio and a receptor moiety attached, allowing for the alignment and detection of target molecules without requiring inherent alignment properties in the receptor or target molecules, enabling the assessment of dichroic properties and binding interactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If molecules are required to have inherent alignment properties for dichroic detection, then detection of high aspect ratio molecules is enabled, but detection of low aspect ratio molecules is excluded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetectability of molecules with different aspect ratiosVSAvoidcomplexity of alignment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a scaffold moiety with high aspect ratio as an intermediary carrier that inherently aligns in flow. The receptor moiety containing the target molecule is attached to this scaffold, allowing indirect alignment and detection of target molecules that would otherwise be incapable of alignment due to their low aspect ratio. This mediator approach enables detection of spheres and other low aspect ratio molecules without requiring them to have inherent alignment properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If only molecules that can bind to naturally alignable receptors are detected, then alignment is achieved, but most molecules including spheres are excluded from analysis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverange of detectable moleculesVSAvoidease of creating sensor element

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor element is segmented into distinct functional modules: a scaffold moiety providing alignment capability through its high aspect ratio, and a receptor moiety containing the target molecule attached to the scaffold. This segmentation allows independent optimization of alignment properties (scaffold) and target recognition (receptor), enabling detection of any target molecule regardless of its inherent alignment capability while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If polarised light is directed through aligned molecules perpendicular to alignment axes, then dichroic signal is obtained, but unaligned molecules produce no signal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecificity of molecular detectionVSAvoidapplicability to unalignable molecules

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The scaffold moiety performs preliminary alignment action on the receptor moiety and its attached target molecule through shear flow alignment before the light detection step. By pre-aligning the entire complex (scaffold + receptor + target) in the flow direction, the target molecule is positioned to interact with polarized light in a predictable orientation, enabling dichroic detection of molecules that would otherwise be unable to align on their own.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 detection and quantification of previously undetectable molecules by aligning and sensing target molecules through shear flow, providing sensitive and robust analysis of molecular structures and binding properties, expanding the application of dichroic analysis beyond high aspect ratio molecules.

Implementation Method 1

alignment arises as a result of shear forces generated by the flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShear forces: Shear Stress

Implementation Method 2

LD is the property exhibited by some molecular structures whereby linearly polarised light is differentially absorbed along two orthogonal axes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLinear dichroism: Pleochroism

Data Source

PatentUS8586388B2Molecular detection system

Publication Date: 2013.11.19 THE UNIV OF BIRMINGHAM

AI summary

A molecular sensor (10) comprises a flow path (12) configured for flowing a solution (28) potentially containing a target molecule (26). A source of polarized light (16) is provided and a detector (18) arranged to receive light from the source after it has passed through the flow path. A sensor element (19) is provided comprising a scaffold moiety (20) with a high aspect ratio disposed, in use, within the flow path and a receptor moiety (24), for the target molecule, attached to the scaffold moiety. A method for sensing a target molecule in a flowing solution is also described.