Receptor Stabilization in Liquid Assays Using Polyols and Chelators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Receptor reagents used in clinical diagnostics are unstable in liquid form, leading to short half-life and increased manufacturing costs, making it difficult to detect low concentrations of analytes like antibodies in biological fluids.
Innovation Solution
Combining a receptor with a chelating agent and a C2-C6 polyol in a liquid medium to create a stable and sensitive solution that maintains stability at temperatures from 2°C to 40°C, enhancing the sensitivity and stability of receptor-based assays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If receptors are stored in liquid form, then convenience of use is improved, but stability and half-life deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces stabilizing agents (polyols such as glycerol, propylene glycol, or ethylene glycol at concentrations of 5-50% w/v, and chelating agents such as EDTA at concentrations of 0.1-20 mM) as intermediary substances that mediate between the liquid storage medium and the receptor, preventing direct degradation while maintaining solubility and biological activity. This allows the receptor to remain stable in liquid form without requiring freezing or drying.
2Reliability
If receptors are dried or lyophilized to improve stability, then stability is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the storage medium by adding specific stabilizing agents (polyols and chelating agents) to create an optimized liquid environment. This parameter modification allows the receptor to maintain stability in liquid form without undergoing phase transitions to dried or lyophilized states, thereby eliminating the complexity of drying equipment and processes while maintaining reliability.
3Ease of operation
If conventional liquid storage is used, then ease of operation is improved, but sensitivity in detection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing agents (polyols and chelating agents) serve as intermediaries that not only protect the receptor from degradation but also maintain its conformational integrity and binding affinity. This dual function allows the receptor to remain both stable and sensitive in liquid form, enabling detection of low concentrations of analytes without requiring complex drying or concentration procedures.
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 solution provides a stable receptor solution that maintains activity for extended periods, enhancing sensitivity in assays for detecting analytes such as thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibodies, allowing for accurate detection of low concentrations in biological samples.
Implementation Method 1
combining in a liquid medium the receptor, a chelating agent and a C2-C6 polyol
Implementation Method 2
combining in a liquid medium the receptor, a chelating agent and a C2-C6 polyol
Implementation Method 3
combining in a liquid medium the receptor, a chelating agent and a C2-C6 polyol
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and reagents are disclosed for preparing a liquid solution of a receptor. The methods comprise combining in a liquid medium the receptor, a chelating agent and a C2-C6 polyol. An amount of the chelating agent and the C2-C6 polyol is sufficient to achieve a stable and active receptor in the liquid solution, which is maintained at a temperature of about 2° C. to about 40° C. The compositions may be employed in assays for the determination of analytes that include receptor-binding analytes.