Conformational DNA aptamers enabling small-molecule lateral flow assays

This technology is an in vitro platform based on conformational DNA aptamers that can be used for detecting small molecules in lateral flow assays (LFAs).

Unmet Need: Detection of small molecules in lateral flow assays

Traditional lateral flow assays (LFAs) employ a sandwich format, in which two antibodies bind to different parts of the target analyte. However, the detection of small molecules poses a significant challenge, as these analytes often have limited surface area and few functional groups to facilitate the simultaneous binding of two recognition elements, such as antibodies. Moreover, switching to smaller recognition elements such as static DNA aptamers does not solve this limitation for low-molecular-weight analytes.

The Technology: Structure-switching DNA aptamers for small-molecule detection

This technology introduces a novel concept of aptamer-target interaction, enabling the detection of small molecules. First, a primary aptamer undergoes a substantial conformational rearrangement upon interacting with the target of interest. Then, a secondary aptamer specifically recognizes the primary aptamer-target complex only after this structural change, binding to the newly formed interaction pockets. This approach enables efficient capture of small molecules, allowing analyte detection in LFAs in a cost-effective, scalable, and broadly applicable manner.

This technology has been validated in vitro for detecting the neurotransmitter serotonin.

Applications:

• Diagnostic assays for cancer and other diseases
• Disease monitoring with small-molecule biomarkers
• Hormone and neurotransmitter monitoring
• Drug screening
• Drug dosing

Advantages:

• Rapid detection of small molecules
• Generalizable, scalable approach
• Low nonspecific/background signal
• Cost-effective

Lead Inventor:

Kyungae Yang, Ph.D.

Related Publications:

• Yang K, Mitchell NM, Banerjee S, Cheng Z, Taylor S, Kostic AM, Wong I, Sajjath S, Zhang Y, Stevens J, Mohan S, Landry DW, Worgall TS, Andrews AM, Stojanovic MN. “A functional group-guided approach to aptamers for small molecules.” Science. 2023 Jun 2;380(6648):942-948.

• Nakatsuka N, Yang KA, Abendroth JM, Cheung KM, Xu X, Yang H, Zhao C, Zhu B, Rim YS, Yang Y, Weiss PS, Stojanović MN, Andrews AM. “Aptamer-field-effect transistors overcome Debye length limitations for small-molecule sensing.” Science. 2018 Oct 19;362(6412):319-324.

Tech Ventures Reference:

• IR CU26117

• Licensing Contact: Jerry Kokoshka