Surface-FIDA Method for Misfolded Protein Aggregate Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current diagnostic methods for neurodegenerative diseases and amyloidoses lack reliable, objective, and quantifiable tests for detecting misfolded protein aggregates, hindering accurate diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression and treatment efficacy.

Innovation Solution

A method for qualitative and quantitative determination of disease indicators using a standard for selective quantification and characterization of misfolded protein aggregates, involving capture molecules immobilized on a substrate, labeled probes, and internal or external standards to detect specific aggregates in body fluids without extensive processing, enabling simultaneous analysis of multiple aggregate types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional diagnostic methods are used for neurodegenerative diseases, then the diagnostic process is simple, but the detection precision and reliability of misfolded protein aggregates are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection precisionVSAvoidmethod complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The diagnostic method is segmented into distinct functional modules: capture molecules immobilized on substrate for specific aggregate capture, fluorescently labeled probes for detection, and standardized reference materials for quantification. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs standardized reference materials with known concentrations of misfolded protein aggregates to establish quantitative relationships between fluorescence signal intensity and aggregate concentration. This parameter standardization enables precise measurement across different experimental conditions and laboratories.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If extensive sample processing is performed to detect protein aggregates, then the detection reliability improves, but the analysis time and loss of time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic reliabilityVSAvoidanalysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Capture molecules are pre-immobilized on the substrate in specific patterns and orientations before sample application. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the sample is applied, aggregates are immediately captured with high efficiency, eliminating the need for extensive processing steps while maintaining diagnostic reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces capture molecules as intermediary elements between the sample and detection system. These capture molecules specifically bind to misfolded protein aggregates, concentrating them on the substrate surface and enabling reliable detection without extensive sample preparation or concentration steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If multiple aggregate types are analyzed separately, then the measurement precision for each type is maintained, but the productivity and throughput decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis throughputVSAvoidquantification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs a universal substrate design with capture molecules arranged in distinct regions or patterns that can simultaneously capture different types of protein aggregates. Multiple fluorescently labeled probes with different emission wavelengths can be applied to detect different aggregate types in a single experiment, maintaining quantification accuracy while dramatically increasing throughput.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from sequential one-dimensional analysis to parallel two-dimensional analysis by spatially separating capture molecules for different aggregate types on the substrate surface. This spatial dimensionality allows simultaneous detection of multiple aggregate types while maintaining the ability to independently quantify each type through region-specific signal analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Measurement precision

If standardized reference materials are used for quantification, then the measurement precision and comparability improve, but the device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantification precisionVSAvoidstandard production
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates simplified copies or models of misfolded protein aggregates with defined structures and concentrations that serve as reference standards. These standardized reference materials are manufactured using controlled protocols that reproduce specific aggregate types, enabling precise quantification without requiring complex natural sample preparation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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 rapid, sensitive, and specific method for detecting and quantifying misfolded protein aggregates, facilitating early diagnosis, monitoring disease progression, and assessing treatment effectiveness in neurodegenerative diseases and amyloidoses.

Implementation Method 1

The marked aggregates are detected by scanning or other types of surface imaging... Detection is preferably carried out using confocal fluorescence microscopy, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS)...

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

capture molecules immobilized on a substrate... Capture molecules for AA-containing particles (e.g. anti-AA antibodies) are bound to this (preferably covalently)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP3014279B1Method for determining protein aggregates using surface-fida
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM JULICH GMBH
  • EP3014279B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3014279B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1D
  • EP3014279B1 patent drawingFigure 1E~1F

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for detecting indicators for detecting diseases (disease indicators), misfolded proteins in the aggregates thereof playing a roll. The invention also relates to a method for selectivity quantifying and/or characterizing said disease indicators.