Pillar[n]arene Chemosensors for Polyamine Detection in Biofluids

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting polyamines in biofluids are time-consuming, expensive, and not financially viable for small laboratories, and existing fluorescent chemosensors are not stable in high-salt biofluids like urine and saliva, leading to inaccurate and slow polyamine level monitoring.

Innovation Solution

Development of chemosensors comprising a pillar[n]arene-based host molecule and a dicationic dye that provide a stable and sensitive 'turn-on' fluorescence signal for polyamine detection in saline and biofluids, allowing for rapid and cost-effective analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If HPLC, GC, or capillary electrophoresis are used for polyamine detection, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolyamine detection precisionVSAvoidassay time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical separation systems (HPLC, GC, capillary electrophoresis) with a fluorescence-based chemical sensing system. The chemosensor uses molecular recognition between the pillar[n]arene host and polyamine guests, followed by fluorescence signal transduction, eliminating the need for time-consuming separation instrumentation while maintaining detection precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs fluorescence turn-on signal changes for polyamine detection. The chemosensor remains non-fluorescent or weakly fluorescent in the absence of polyamines, but exhibits strong fluorescence upon binding polyamines, providing a rapid and precise detection method without complex separation equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Measurement precision

If HPLC, GC, or capillary electrophoresis are used for polyamine detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolyamine detection precisionVSAvoidinstrumentation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical separation systems (HPLC, GC, capillary electrophoresis) with a fluorescence-based chemical sensing system. The chemosensor uses molecular recognition between the pillar[n]arene host and polyamine guests, followed by fluorescence signal transduction, eliminating the need for time-consuming separation instrumentation while maintaining detection precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If existing fluorescent chemosensors are used in high-salt biofluids, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection simplicityVSAvoidchemosensor stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemosensor structure by introducing sulfonate groups on the pillar[n]arene host, which enhance water solubility and stability in high-salt environments. The sulfonate groups create electrostatic repulsion that prevents aggregation of the chemosensor molecules in saline conditions, maintaining reliability while preserving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite chemosensor system combining pillar[n]arene host with dicationic fluorophores. This composite structure provides both the molecular recognition capability for polyamines and the fluorescence signaling function, while the sulfonate-modified host ensures stability in complex biofluid environments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Productivity

If rapid fluorescent chemosensor methods are used, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision worsens due to matrix interferences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreening speedVSAvoidpolyamine detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs selective molecular recognition at the local binding site between the pillar[n]arene host and polyamine guests. The host-guest complex formation occurs at a specific location within the chemosensor structure, providing selective binding that is insensitive to bulk matrix interferences, thus maintaining precision while enabling rapid screening

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The pillar[n]arene host acts as an intermediary that selectively binds polyamines from complex biofluid matrices. The host-guest complex formation serves as a selective pre-concentration step that isolates the target analyte from interfering substances, followed by fluorescence signal transduction for accurate detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 new chemosensors enable fast, sensitive, and selective detection of polyamines in biofluids, overcoming stability issues at high salt concentrations and matrix interferences, facilitating early disease detection and personalized medicine strategies.

Implementation Method 1

Self-assembled chemosensors for detecting polyamines

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSelf-assembly: Self-Assembly

Implementation Method 2

detection of polyamines, particularly biogenic polyamines... by fluorescence spectroscopy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentEP4332574A1Self-assembled chemosensors for detecting polyamines in physiological media and biofluids
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 KARLSRUHER INST FUR TECH
  • EP4332574A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2
  • EP4332574A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c
  • EP4332574A1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

The present inventions relate to chemosensors comprising a pillar[n]arene-based host molecules and a dicationic dyes and the use thereof in analytical methods for determining polyamines, such as in particular biogenic polyamines. The invention further relates to methods for preparing such chemosensors and to methods for detecting, determining, or analysing polyamines with fluorescence spectroscopy by using the chemosensors.