Silicon Carbide Adsorbent for Exosome Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for isolating extracellular vesicles, particularly exosomes, from liquid samples are inefficient, as they often result in contamination with larger vesicles, protein aggregates, and require expensive equipment like ultracentrifuges, making them time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
The use of silicon carbide (SiC) to selectively bind and isolate extracellular vesicles by adjusting the pH of the liquid sample, allowing for their separation without the need for ultracentrifugation, using a slurry or column format, and eluting them with a low salt buffer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple centrifugation and ultracentrifugation steps are used for exosome isolation, then exosome recovery is improved, but the method becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the isolation parameter from centrifugal force (multiple centrifugation steps) to pH-dependent binding. By adjusting the pH of the liquid sample to a preselected binding pH, extracellular vesicles selectively bind to silicon carbide, eliminating the need for multiple centrifugation steps and significantly reducing isolation time while maintaining exosome recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical centrifugation system with a chemical binding system. Instead of using ultracentrifuges and multiple centrifugation steps to separate exosomes, the method uses pH-dependent binding of extracellular vesicles to silicon carbide, substituting mechanical separation with a chemical interaction that is faster and less labor-intensive.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple centrifugation and ultracentrifugation steps are used for exosome isolation, then exosome recovery is improved, but the method becomes labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the operational process by changing from multiple centrifugation steps to a single pH-adjustment and binding step. The method involves adjusting the pH of the liquid sample to a preselected binding pH, allowing extracellular vesicles to selectively bind to silicon carbide, thereby reducing operational complexity and making the procedure easier to perform while maintaining exosome recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical operations (multiple centrifugation steps requiring specialized ultracentrifuges) with a simpler chemical binding process. The method uses pH-dependent binding of extracellular vesicles to silicon carbide, eliminating the need for skilled operation of expensive ultracentrifugal equipment and reducing the overall complexity of the isolation procedure.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional ultracentrifugation method is used for exosome isolation, then exosome purification is improved, but specialized expensive equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive ultracentrifugal equipment with a simple pH-adjustment system and silicon carbide binding platform. Instead of requiring specialized ultracentrifuges for purification, the method uses pH-dependent binding of extracellular vesicles to silicon carbide, achieving exosome purification without expensive specialized equipment and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the purification mechanism from centrifugal separation (requiring expensive ultracentrifuges) to pH-dependent binding. By adjusting the pH of the liquid sample to a preselected binding pH, extracellular vesicles selectively bind to silicon carbide, achieving purification through a parameter change that does not require specialized expensive equipment.
4Device complexity
If volume-excluding polymers such as PEG are used for exosome isolation, then the need for ultracentrifugation is eliminated, but contamination with protein aggregates and macromolecular complexes occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the isolation mechanism from non-specific polymer precipitation (PEG) to pH-dependent selective binding. By adjusting the pH of the liquid sample to a preselected binding pH, extracellular vesicles selectively bind to silicon carbide, achieving both equipment simplification and improved purity by eliminating the contamination issue associated with polymer-based methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces non-specific polymer precipitation with specific pH-dependent binding. Instead of using PEG or other volume-excluding polymers that cause non-specific precipitation and contamination, the method uses pH-dependent binding of extracellular vesicles to silicon carbide, achieving selective isolation that maintains purity while eliminating the need for ultracentrifugation.
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
This method effectively isolates exosomes with reduced contamination, is rapid, inexpensive, and does not require specialized equipment, achieving high recovery rates and purity, as demonstrated by comparisons with commercial kits and traditional ultracentrifugation methods.
Implementation Method 1
adjusting the pH of a liquid sample comprising extracellular vesicles to a preselected, binding pH; contacting the liquid sample with silicon carbide, wherein at the preselected, binding pH, the extracellular vesicles bind to the silicon carbide
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for the isolation of extracellular vesicles, including exosomes, from a liquid sample, the method comprising the steps of: adjusting the pH of a liquid sample comprising extracellular vesicles to a preselected, binding pH; contacting the liquid sample with silicon carbide, wherein at the preselected, binding pH, the extracellular vesicles bind to the silicon carbide; and eluting the bound extracellular vesicles from the silicon carbide. The liquid samples can comprise bodily fluids. Further disclosed is a method for producing a liquid sample, substantially depleted of extracellular vesicles, including exosomes.