pH-Responsive Polymer for Nucleic Acid Isolation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for isolating nucleic acids from samples are often time-consuming and require the use of incompatible components such as chaotropic reagents, salts, surfactants, and organic solvents, which can disrupt downstream applications.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising a solid surface and a polymer covalently or non-covalently bound to the surface, where the polymer includes pendant moieties that bind nucleic acids at low pH and release them at higher pH, allowing for efficient isolation and compatibility with downstream processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional nucleic acid isolation methods are used, then nucleic acids can be isolated, but the process is time-consuming and requires incompatible components such as chaotropic reagents, salts, surfactants, and organic solvents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenucleic acid isolation effectivenessVSAvoidisolation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs pH-responsive polymers that change their conformation and binding properties in response to pH changes. At low pH, the polymers are protonated and bind nucleic acids efficiently; at high pH, they deprotonate and release nucleic acids. This parameter-based control enables rapid isolation without time-consuming steps or incompatible reagents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces traditional mechanical and chemical isolation methods (centrifugation, column purification, organic solvent extraction) with a pH-responsive polymer system that achieves nucleic acid isolation through simple pH adjustment, dramatically reducing isolation time and eliminating incompatible components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If chaotropic reagents, salts, surfactants, and organic solvents are used for nucleic acid isolation, then nucleic acids can be isolated, but these components are incompatible with downstream applications such as sequencing reactions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenucleic acid isolation effectivenessVSAvoidcompatibility with downstream applications

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates harmful components (chaotropic reagents, salts, surfactants, organic solvents) from the isolation process by using pH-responsive polymers that achieve nucleic acid isolation through pH control alone, ensuring compatibility with downstream applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The pH-responsive polymer acts as an intermediary that facilitates nucleic acid isolation without introducing incompatible reagents. The polymer mediates the isolation process through reversible pH-dependent binding, allowing clean recovery of nucleic acids suitable for downstream applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If traditional isolation methods are used, then nucleic acids can be isolated, but the process involves multiple steps and incompatible components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenucleic acid isolation effectivenessVSAvoidisolation process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple isolation steps into a single pH-responsive polymer-based process. The polymer performs binding, washing, and elution functions through pH adjustment alone, simplifying the overall isolation process while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pH-responsive polymer serves multiple functions: it binds nucleic acids at low pH, maintains binding during washing, and releases nucleic acids at high pH. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple specialized reagents and steps, reducing process complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 method enables rapid and efficient isolation of nucleic acids, with high binding and release efficiency, and is compatible with downstream applications such as PCR, without the need for chaotropic agents or other disruptive components.

Implementation Method 1

the polymer comprises at least one pendant moiety of formula (I)... wherein the nucleic acid binds to the composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic interaction: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

wherein the polymer comprises at least one pendant moiety of formula (I)... allowing for efficient isolation and compatibility with downstream processes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectpH-dependent release:

Data Source

PatentUS20250129358A1Polymers, compositions, and methods for isolation of nucleic acids

Publication Date: 2025.04.24 PROMEGA CORP

AI summary

Provided herein are polymeric compounds, compositions, and methods for isolation of nucleic acids from a sample.