Substrate-Based Protein Assay Without Direct Protein Binding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current genome-centric healthcare approaches fail to provide a comprehensive picture of an individual's health as they do not account for protein concentrations and interactions, which are crucial for understanding health conditions and predicting emerging issues.
Innovation Solution
A method using detection supramolecular structures, such as DNA origami, that bind to analytes in a 1:1 ratio without directly binding to the detection substrate, allowing for quantification through fluorescent markers and barcode sequences, enabling the detection and quantification of proteins and protein interactions in a sample.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional protein detection methods bind analytes to the detection substrate, then quantification can be performed, but the substrate becomes contaminated and requires regeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary molecule (such as a nucleic acid probe or fluorescent marker) that binds to the protein analyte and serves as a detectable signal carrier. This intermediary allows the protein to be detected without the protein itself binding to the detection substrate, thus avoiding substrate contamination while enabling accurate quantification through the intermediary's signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a detectable copy or surrogate of the protein analyte. Instead of directly binding the protein to the substrate, a modified version or marker molecule that replicates the binding specificity is used. This copy binds to the protein and provides the detection signal, allowing the substrate to remain clean and reusable while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Loss of information
If genome-centric approaches are used, then genetic information can be obtained, but protein-level health information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a detection system that can universally detect multiple protein analytes using the same basic platform and methodology. The detection substrate or assay system is designed to accommodate different protein targets through interchangeable binding elements, allowing a single system to provide comprehensive protein-level health information without requiring separate specialized assays for each protein.
3Ease of manufacture
If protein quantification is performed without substrate binding, then substrate contamination is avoided, but detection sensitivity may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs fluorescent markers, chromophores, or other signal-generating molecules that undergo color or optical changes when bound to the protein analyte. These visual or optical signals provide high-contrast detection without requiring the protein to bind to the substrate, maintaining both substrate reusability and detection sensitivity through the intense signal output of the markers.
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 approach provides a detailed analysis of protein presence and interactions, enhancing the understanding of individual health status and predicting health issues without the need for sequencing, and allowing for multiplexed assays of various analytes.
Implementation Method 1
detection supramolecular structures, such as DNA origami, that bind to analytes in a 1:1 ratio
Implementation Method 2
allowing for quantification through fluorescent markers
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein in various embodiments, is a method for detecting and/or quantifying an analyte molecule present in a sample without employing a sequencing operation. As discussed, detection supramolecular structures are used to perform the detection and/or quantification of the analyte of interest. In one embodiment the detection supramolecular structures include a supramolecular structure (e.g., a nucleic acid origami structure) that comprises a core structure composed of one or more core molecules, a single affinity binder linked to the supramolecular structure at a first location, and one or more unique identifiers also attached to the supramolecular structure and which convey information about the affinity binder present on a respective detection supramolecular structure.