Photo-Induced Voltage Sensor for Real-Time Biomolecular Interaction Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional current and resistance sensors for biomolecular interactions are limited by non-real-time detection, requirement of pH buffers, complex design, high cost, and inability to test multiple samples simultaneously due to the use of dialysis membranes and specific chamber conditions.
Innovation Solution
A current and resistance sensor design that eliminates the need for dialysis membranes, allowing real-time monitoring of biomolecular interactions using a photo-induced-voltage-generating solution chamber with a compound layer responsive to proton changes, enabling multiple sample testing and simplified assembly, and using indium tin oxide or other conductive materials for enhanced signal detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a dialysis membrane is used to separate chambers, then pH detection can be achieved, but the device complexity increases and multiple chamber restrictions are imposed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the dialysis membrane from the system entirely. Instead of using a membrane to separate chambers for pH detection, the invention uses a single chamber with ITO-coated glass slides that directly detect pH changes through photo-induced current, eliminating the complex membrane assembly and multi-chamber restrictions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ITO (indium tin oxide) as an intermediary material that enables direct pH detection in a single chamber. The ITO-coated glass slides serve as the sensing element that converts pH changes into measurable photo-induced current signals without requiring physical separation membranes
2Measurement precision
If two ITO-coated glass slides with dialysis membrane are used, then pH-sensitive current detection is achieved, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the dialysis membrane from between the glass slides, simplifying the assembly to just ITO-coated glass slides forming a single chamber, reducing both complexity and cost while maintaining photo-induced current detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple components into a single integrated chamber system. The ITO-coated glass slides directly form the sensing chamber without intermediate membranes, combining the structural and sensing functions into a simpler unified design
3Stability of the object's composition
If pH buffers are required in chambers, then stable pH conditions are maintained, but the adaptability of the measurement system is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to self-detect pH changes without requiring pre-established pH buffers. The ITO-coated slides directly measure photo-induced current that reflects pH changes, allowing the system to adapt to various sample conditions without imposing strict buffer requirements
4Measurement precision
If only one sample can be tested at a time, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal sensing platform where the ITO-coated glass slide chamber can test multiple different samples sequentially or in parallel. The simplified single-chamber design without restrictive membranes allows greater versatility in sample types and higher testing throughput while maintaining measurement accuracy
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 sensor achieves improved signal-to-noise ratio, reduced operational errors, independent chamber access, and the ability to test multiple samples concurrently, providing accurate and efficient real-time monitoring of biomolecular interactions without the need for pH buffers.
Implementation Method 1
After the chamber containing the photoreceptor solution 140 is illuminated, the photoreceptor protein type changes, resulting in a change in the affinity of its proton-binding domain for protons and the release of protons
Implementation Method 2
ITO is very sensitive to the change in pH value in the solution, and when the pH value of the solution changes, the surface potential of ITO on the glass slides 110 increases, which leads to a photo-induced current E
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a current and resistance sensor, comprising: a photo-induced-voltage-generating solution chamber for receiving a photoreceptor-protein-containing solution; and a compound layer on one side of the photo-induced-voltage-generating solution chamber, wherein the compound layer is responsive to changes in the amount of protons in the solution, and the compound layer is provided with a gap corresponding in position to the photo-induced-voltage-generating solution chamber and is thus rendered discontinuous within the photo-induced-voltage-generating solution chamber. The present invention provides a new device and method for monitoring the interactions between biomolecules in real time. The assembly process of the current and resistance sensor is simple, and the sensor can detect small current changes because of the stable nanoampere current output by the photoreceptor protein. In addition, the substance to be tested can be measured without any processing.