Intracellular Pathogen Detection via Selective Reproduction Inhibition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for studying intracellular pathogens in biological samples are limited by interference from multiple pathogens, requiring specific reagents and being less flexible, especially when the nature of the pathogen is unknown or rapidly evolving, making it difficult to observe or test for specific pathogens independently.
Innovation Solution
A method involving contacting the sample with a population of cells in the presence of an inhibitory agent that inhibits the reproduction of a second intracellular pathogen, allowing the first pathogen to reproduce and be tested independently, even when the genomic sequences or antibodies are unknown or cross-reactive.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If general phenotypic assays are used to observe intracellular pathogens, then the assay is straightforward and rapid to perform, but the observables are not specific for a particular pathogen and cannot distinguish between multiple pathogens present in the sample
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second intracellular pathogen as an intermediary element to indirectly detect the presence of the first pathogen. By observing whether the second pathogen can establish infection (as a mediator), the assay gains specificity for detecting the first pathogen while maintaining the simplicity of phenotypic observation methods.
2Measurement precision
If specific methods with antibodies or primers are used to observe pathogens, then pathogen identification is more specific, but the methods require specific reagents and are not straightforward or rapid to perform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, specialized reagents (antibodies and primers) with a disposable biological system - a population of host cells and a second pathogen. This second pathogen acts as a temporary, single-use probe that can be introduced into the sample, perform its detection function, and then be discarded after a single experiment, eliminating the need for costly reagent preparation and optimization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If immunological assays with cross-reactive antibodies are used, then broad cross-reactivity may be desirable for diagnostic purposes, but it makes it impossible to study related and co-existing pathogens independently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection function by using different second pathogens to detect different first pathogens independently. Each second pathogen is specific to its corresponding first pathogen, allowing independent study of multiple pathogens in the same sample. This segmentation enables both broad diagnostic capability (by choosing appropriate second pathogens) and independent pathogen study (through pathogen-specific second pathogens).
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 straightforward testing of intracellular pathogens in biological samples, allowing for independent observation and identification of the first pathogen regardless of the presence of other pathogens, without the need for specific reagents, and provides results within a short timeframe.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the sample with a population of cells in the presence of an inhibitory agent, wherein said agent inhibits the reproduction of a second intracellular pathogen
Data Source
AI summary
A first intracellular pathogen in a biological sample that may contain more than one intracellular pathogen is studied by a method comprising the steps of (i) contacting the sample with a population of cells in the presence of an agent inhibiting the reproduction of a second intracellular pathogen; (ii) incubating the cells under conditions that permit the reproduction of the first intracellular pathogen; and (iii) testing material arising from step (ii) for the first intracellular pathogen.