Multiplexed Binding Assays Using Linking Agent Complexes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commercially available assays lack flexibility, often including irrelevant target analytes and failing to accommodate user-defined multiplexed assays, limiting their effectiveness in detecting specific analytes of interest.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of a linking agent complex to configure a multiplexed binding assay, allowing for the combination of targeting agents, binding reagents, and bridging agents to form binding complexes on binding domains, enabling the measurement of multiple analytes with high specificity and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If commercially available pre-set assays are used, then assay reliability is maintained, but adaptability to user-defined analytes is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassay configuration flexibilityVSAvoidassay measurement reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The assay system is divided into separate functional modules: targeting agents (capture antibodies), binding reagents (detection antibodies), and linking agents (biotin-streptavidin complexes). Each module can be independently selected and combined based on user needs while maintaining standardized interfaces that ensure reliable measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs universal components that can serve multiple functions across different assay configurations. For example, biotinylated targeting agents can be used with any streptavidin-conjugated binding reagent, and standardized binding domains (magnetic beads, microplates) provide consistent measurement platforms for various analyte combinations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If pre-configured commercial assays are used, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but user flexibility to detect specific analytes is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser-defined assay capabilityVSAvoidassay configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent provides pre-prepared building blocks including targeting agents with various analyte specificities, binding reagents with different detection modalities, and standardized linking agents. Users can directly assemble these pre-characterized components without performing complex optimization experiments, reducing both manufacturing and user-side complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The biotin-streptavidin linking system serves as a universal intermediary that connects diverse targeting agents with various binding reagents. This standardized interface simplifies the assembly process by providing a consistent mechanism for forming binding complexes regardless of the specific analytes being detected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If multiple separate assays are conducted for each analyte, then measurement precision for individual analytes is maintained, but productivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultiplexed detection efficiencyVSAvoidanalyte detection specificity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple analyte detection capabilities into a single multiplexed assay by immobilizing different targeting agents on the same binding domain surface. Each targeting agent-specific binding complex can be detected simultaneously using appropriately labeled binding reagents, enabling high-throughput analysis while maintaining the precision of individual analyte measurements through specific antibody-antigen interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 user to create customized assays that efficiently detect multiple analytes with high specificity and flexibility, overcoming the limitations of pre-set configurations by allowing for user-defined multiplexed assays.

Implementation Method 1

employing binding reactions, e.g., antigen-antibody reactions, nucleic acid hybridization and receptor-ligand reactions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBinding reaction:

Implementation Method 2

employing binding reactions, e.g., antigen-antibody reactions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntigen-antibody reaction:

Implementation Method 3

The high degree of specificity in many biochemical binding systems has led to many assay methods and systems of value

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBinding reaction specificity:

Data Source

PatentUS12533675B2Methods for conducting multiplexed assays

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 MESO SCALE TECH LLC

AI summary

The invention relates to methods for conducting solid-phase binding assays. One example is an assay method having improved analyte specificity where specificity is limited by the presence of non-specific binding interactions.