Smart Hydrogel Particles for Biomarker Sequestration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting biomarkers, especially low-abundance proteins in complex biological mixtures like blood and urine, face challenges due to their low concentration and susceptibility to degradation, making early disease detection difficult and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Development of capture particles, specifically smart hydrogel particles that can selectively sequester biomarkers based on size and affinity, protecting them from degradation and concentrating them for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional methods like two-dimensional gel electrophoresis are used to detect biomarkers, then the detection process can be performed with standard equipment, but the sensitivity and resolution are insufficient to detect low abundance biomarkers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces smart particles as intermediary carriers that selectively bind to low abundance biomarkers through affinity ligands. These particles act as mediators between the complex biological mixture and the detection system, concentrating target molecules while excluding high abundance proteins, thereby enabling detection of previously undetectable biomarkers with standard equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The smart particles utilize porous structures with controlled pore sizes that allow selective penetration based on molecular size. The porous material enables size-based fractionation where low molecular weight biomarkers can enter the particles while high molecular weight proteins are excluded, enhancing detection sensitivity without requiring complex fractionation equipment
2Measurement precision
If mass spectrometry is used with high sensitivity, then low abundance proteins can be detected, but the working range is limited and less abundant proteins are masked by more abundant proteins
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts low abundance biomarkers from the complex biological mixture by selective binding to smart particles. This extraction process separates target molecules from the overwhelming background of high abundance proteins, allowing mass spectrometry to detect low abundance proteins across a broader concentration range without masking effects
Solution Approach 2:
The smart particles change their binding parameters dynamically - they exhibit high affinity for low abundance biomarkers at physiological conditions, then undergo parameter changes during elution to release captured molecules. This enables the system to adapt to different detection requirements and expand the effective working range of mass spectrometry
3Quantity of substance
If high abundance proteins are depleted using immunoaffinity depletion columns, then the concentration range for detection is improved, but the yield of candidate biomarkers is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The smart particles exhibit local quality through their dual functionality: the outer surface provides size-based exclusion properties while the interior contains affinity ligands for specific biomarker binding. This localized functional differentiation allows selective concentration of low abundance biomarkers without requiring depletion of high abundance proteins, preserving biomarker yield while expanding detection range
4Reliability
If protein biomarkers are subjected to degradation by endogenous or exogenous proteinases, then the biomarkers remain in their original mixture, but the biomarkers are degraded immediately following collection
Solution Approach 1:
The smart particles provide beforehand cushioning by creating a protective microenvironment that shields biomarkers from proteinase degradation. The particle matrix acts as a physical barrier and the controlled release mechanism ensures biomarkers are protected during storage and transport, then released intact when needed for analysis
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
Enables the reliable detection and quantification of low-abundance biomarkers, such as human growth hormone in urine, even at low concentrations, improving early disease detection and anti-doping assays with enhanced sensitivity and stability.
Implementation Method 1
The particles are capable of sequestering a biomarker from a mixture based on size and/or affinity of the biomarker for the particle
Implementation Method 2
The particles are capable of sequestering a biomarker from a mixture based on size and/or affinity of the biomarker for the particle
Implementation Method 3
degradation of protein biomarkers can occur immediately following the collection of blood or body fluid as a result of endogenous or exogenous proteinases
Implementation Method 4
amplify the concentration of low abundance biomarkers in urine
Data Source
AI summary
Capture particles for harvesting analytes from solution and methods for using them are described. The capture particles are made up of a polymeric matrix having pore size that allows for the analytes to enter the capture particles. The pore size of the capture particles are changeable upon application of a stimulus to the particles, allowing the pore size of the particles to be changed so that analytes of interest remain sequestered inside the particles. The polymeric matrix of the capture particles are made of co-polymeric materials having a structural monomer and an affinity monomer, the affinity monomer having properties that attract the analyte to the capture particle. The capture particles may be used to isolate and identify analytes present in a mixture. They may also be used to protect analytes which are typically subject to degradation upon harvesting and to concentrate low an analyte in low abundance in a fluid.