Titanium Oxide Antibody Immobilization for Selective Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods using titanium oxide for sterilization lack selectivity towards specific microorganisms, resulting in non-specific antibacterial activity and reduced effectiveness due to short-lived radicals and distance limitations, potentially harming beneficial organisms as well.
Innovation Solution
Immobilizing antibodies specific to target microorganisms onto titanium oxide particles, allowing for selective binding and enhanced radical generation upon UV irradiation, thereby improving antibacterial activity and reducing non-specific sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If titanium oxide is used for sterilization without antibody immobilization, then antibacterial activity is generated through radical production, but selectivity towards specific microorganisms is lost and non-specific sterilization occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization function is segmented into two distinct components: (1) titanium oxide particles that generate radicals for killing microorganisms, and (2) antibodies that provide selective recognition and binding to target microorganisms. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function, with the antibody-antigen binding providing selectivity and the titanium oxide providing the sterilization mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system by immobilizing antibodies onto titanium oxide particles. This composite structure combines the biological recognition capability of antibodies with the photocatalytic properties of titanium oxide, resulting in a material that exhibits both selectivity and sterilization activity. The composite nature allows the system to achieve specific targeting while maintaining the radical-generating capability of the base material.
2Reliability
If titanium oxide particles are dispersed in aqueous solution, then antibacterial activity is achieved through radical generation, but the residence time of radicals is short and antibacterial activity is reduced when distance between microorganism and titanium oxide is not extremely close
Solution Approach 1:
The antibody acts as an intermediary that bridges the titanium oxide particle and the target microorganism. By specifically binding to antigens on the microorganism surface, the antibody delivers the titanium oxide particle into extremely close proximity with the target, ensuring that the short-lived radicals generated by the titanium oxide can effectively reach and kill the microorganism despite their brief residence time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If titanium oxide is coated onto support surface or dispersed underwater, then sterilization is achieved, but selectivity to microorganism of interest is not present and normal useful microorganisms are sterilized along with target microorganisms
Solution Approach 1:
The antibody is preliminarily attached to the titanium oxide particle surface before the sterilization process begins. This preliminary action of antibody immobilization equips the titanium oxide particles with pre-programmed recognition capability, allowing them to automatically identify and bind to target microorganisms through antibody-antigen interactions, thereby achieving selectivity without complicating the overall manufacturing process.
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 titanium oxide-antibody complex effectively sterilizes target microorganisms with increased antibacterial activity and reduced time and dosage requirements, while minimizing harm to non-target organisms.
Implementation Method 1
an antibody capable of recognizing a microorganism or a virus of interest is immobilized on the surface
Implementation Method 2
under ultraviolet (UV) light, it loses electrons and holes are formed thereon, leading to the excitation into an unstable state. At this time, superoxide (O2−) or hydroxyl radical (OH) generated from the excitation
Implementation Method 3
the photocatalyst accelerates a chemical reaction by absorbing light from the outside
Implementation Method 4
superoxide (O2−) or hydroxyl radical (OH) generated from the excitation exerts antibacterial activities by inducing the oxidization or degradation of microorganisms and viruses around
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an antibacterial composition comprising titanium oxide particles immobilized with an antibody having affinity and cognitive power to a microorganism of interest, and a method for sterilizing the microorganism by using the same. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for preparing functional titanium oxide particles capable of recognizing a microorganism or a virus of interest, and a method for selectively and efficiently sterilizing the same by using the functional titanium oxide particles, and not for randomly sterilizing microorganisms or viruses by using conventional titanium oxide particles having no recognition power to a microorganism or a virus of interest.