Protein Barrel Sensor Array for Broad-Spectrum Analyte Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor arrays for analyte detection are complex and costly, limited to specific analyte classes, and lack sensitivity towards non-polar, hydrophobic molecules due to the requirement for bespoke dyes and specific receptor combinations.
Innovation Solution
A sensor array comprising protein barrels with different structures, where a reporter dye is bound reversibly within the lumen, allowing for broad-spectrum analyte detection by altering optical signals in response to analyte interactions, including both hydrophobic and non-hydrophobic molecules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If bespoke dyes are designed and synthesized for each analyte in lock-and-key sensing, then selectivity for target analyte is improved, but development cost and synthesis complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal set of hydrophobic reporter dyes that can be used across multiple sensors targeting different analytes. Instead of designing bespoke dyes for each analyte, the same hydrophobic dye molecules serve multiple functions in detecting various analytes through competition with analytes for hydrophobic binding sites, thereby reducing development and synthesis complexity while maintaining selectivity through the sensor array configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces hydrophobic binding sites (such as protein barrels or synthetic receptors with hydrophobic cavities) as intermediaries between the analytes and the reporter dyes. These intermediaries provide standardized binding interfaces that work with a common set of hydrophobic dyes, eliminating the need for custom dye synthesis for each analyte while preserving selective detection capabilities through the specific hydrophobic interaction patterns
2Adaptability or versatility
If metal ion ensembles with peptides and reporter dyes are used for differential sensing, then analyte detection capability is improved, but sensitivity towards non-polar hydrophobic molecules decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the binding parameter from metal ion coordination to hydrophobic interactions. By designing sensors based on hydrophobic binding sites rather than metal ion ensembles, the system achieves high sensitivity towards non-polar hydrophobic molecules while maintaining versatility through the use of diverse hydrophobic binding site architectures (protein barrels, synthetic receptors) that can accommodate different analyte types
3Measurement precision
If serum albumins are used as receptors for hydrophobic dye binding, then detection of hydrophobic molecules is improved, but detection of other analyte classes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the binding site into a modular hydrophobic cavity structure (such as protein barrels with defined hydrophobic interiors) that can be independently designed and optimized. This segmentation allows creation of multiple sensor types with different hydrophobic binding site characteristics, enabling the array to detect diverse analyte classes including hydrophobic molecules, while maintaining a unified hydrophobic binding mechanism across all sensors
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 protein barrel-based sensor array provides unparalleled ability to distinguish a wide range of analytes, offering high reproducibility, stability, and cost-effectiveness, enabling applications in various fields such as food spoilage detection and pharmaceutical production.
Implementation Method 1
the reporter dye is bound to the lumen reversibly
Implementation Method 2
provides an optical signal between being bound to the lumen and when this binding is disrupted
Implementation Method 3
the analyte displacing the reporter dye from binding with the lumen
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor array comprising at least two sensors, wherein each sensor comprises a protein barrel and a reporter dye; wherein the protein barrel defines a lumen; the reporter dye is bound to the lumen reversibly; and wherein the protein barrel is different in structure in the at least two sensors.