Acoustically enhanced biomolecular sensing for rapid diagnostics
This technology is a method for enhancing the kinetics of molecular recognition by nanoparticle biosensors, improving their detection sensitivity and efficiency.
Unmet Need: More efficient molecular recognition for sensitive biomarker detection
Current point-of-care tools and biosensors for rapid detection of biomarkers are limited in detection sensitivity due to the kinetics of molecular recognition. Improving the ligands used for target recognition could increase detection sensitivity, but this approach is not scalable as each ligand is limited to its specific target. A more general solution is the use of nanoparticles functionalized with specific recognition molecules. However, the diffusion limitations of nanoparticles constrain the rate at which nanoparticles interact with targets. Overcoming nanoparticles’ diffusion limitations could therefore improve the timescale and sensitivity of biomarker detection.
The Technology: Versatile method for increasing biosensor detection sensitivity and efficiency
This technology uses acoustic waves to accelerate the reaction kinetics between nanoparticles and molecular targets. The acoustic waves push functionalized nanoparticles to aggregate and form clusters in the presence of analytes such as target proteins or DNA sequences. This method of improving the sensitivity and speed of biomarker detection is compatible with many existing biosensing techniques that rely on nanoparticles and is applicable across a variety of target molecules.
This technology has been validated with SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein and DNA sequence detection, demonstrating over 100-fold increases in detection capability.
Applications:
- Point-of-care diagnostics
- Diagnostic assays for diseases at early stages
- Monitoring of biomarkers such as glucose levels in diabetes
- Detection of food toxicity and chemical contamination
- Monitoring of water quality
Advantages:
- Enables more sensitive and rapid detection of biomarkers
- Applicable across a variety of target molecules and particles
- Compatible with existing biosensing techniques
Lead Inventor:
Patent Information:
Patent Pending
Tech Ventures Reference:
IR CU24184
Licensing Contact: Greg Maskel