Multiplexed Immunoassays for High-Throughput Coronavirus Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assays for respiratory viruses, particularly coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-2, are slow, low throughput, expensive, and lack sensitivity, making it difficult to screen large populations effectively during outbreaks.
Innovation Solution
Development of immunoassay methods and kits that utilize binding reagents to detect coronavirus components or biomarkers in biological samples, including multiplexed assays for simultaneous detection of multiple viruses and biomarkers, offering improved sensitivity and throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If PCR-based tests are used for coronavirus detection, then analytical sensitivity is improved, but test throughput and processing speed deteriorate due to lengthy and complex procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical/chemical PCR amplification system with a direct immunoassay system that uses antibodies to detect viral components. This substitution eliminates the need for nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and complex thermal cycling, thereby maintaining sensitivity while dramatically improving throughput and reducing processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and detects specific viral components (proteins, lipids, or nucleic acids) directly from the sample using binding reagents, rather than performing comprehensive nucleic acid extraction and amplification. This selective extraction approach maintains detection sensitivity while simplifying the overall process and increasing throughput.
2Reliability
If PCR-based tests are used for coronavirus detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but test complexity and cost deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the multi-step PCR-based mechanical and chemical processing system with a streamlined immunoassay system that uses binding reagents to directly detect viral components. This substitution maintains detection accuracy while eliminating complex nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and thermal cycling procedures, thereby reducing overall test complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the detection process into distinct functional components: binding reagents that specifically recognize viral components, detection reagents that produce measurable signals, and sample processing steps that are simplified and standardized. This segmentation allows for easier implementation and reduces procedural complexity while maintaining accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing assays are used for respiratory virus detection, then virus detection capability is provided, but sensitivity and throughput deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameters by using highly specific binding reagents (antibodies) that can detect viral components at lower concentrations. This parameter change in the detection mechanism enables higher sensitivity while maintaining the ability to detect multiple respiratory viruses through multiplexed assays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a universal immunoassay platform that can detect multiple respiratory viruses (coronaviruses, influenza viruses, etc.) using the same basic principle of binding reagents. This multi-functional approach improves versatility while achieving high sensitivity for each virus through optimized binding reagents and detection systems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If existing assays are used for respiratory virus detection, then detection function is provided, but cost and time efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces time-consuming PCR amplification and nucleic acid extraction procedures with direct immunoassay detection that uses binding reagents to detect viral components. This substitution maintains comprehensive detection function while reducing processing time, as the assay can be performed without extensive sample preparation and amplification cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-incubating binding reagents with viral components in the sample before detection. This preliminary binding step allows for rapid detection without requiring time-consuming amplification processes, thereby reducing overall test processing time while maintaining full detection capability.
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
The immunoassays provide rapid, cost-effective, and accurate detection of respiratory viruses, enabling efficient diagnosis and monitoring of infections, with applications in epidemiological studies and vaccine development.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the biological sample with a binding reagent that specifically binds a component of the coronavirus; forming a binding complex comprising the binding reagent and the coronavirus component
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to methods and kits for detecting a virus, e.g., a respiratory virus such as a coronavirus, in a biological sample. The invention also relates to methods and kits for detecting and/or quantifying biomarkers, e.g., antibody biomarkers against a viral antigen; inflammatory and/or tissue damage response biomarkers; and/or extracellular vesicles in response to a viral infection.