US 10,648,941 B2 · Binding probe circuits for molecular sensors

Abstract

In various embodiments a molecular circuit is disclosed. The circuit comprises a negative electrode, a positive electrode spaced apart from the negative electrode, and a binding probe molecule conductively attached to both the positive and negative electrodes to form a circuit having a conduction pathway through the binding probe. In various examples, the binding probe is an antibody, the Fab domain of an antibody, a protein, a nucleic acid oligomer hybridization probe, or an aptamer. The circuit may further comprise molecular arms used to wire the binding probe to the electrodes. In various embodiments, the circuit functions as a sensor wherein electrical signals, such as changes to voltage, current, impedance, conductance, or resistance in the circuit, are measured as targets interact with the binding probe. In various embodiments, the circuit provides a means to measure the presence, absence, or concentration of an analyte in a solution.

Claims32

Dependent claims

A circuit comprising:

a first electrode;
a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode;
a binding probe electrically connected to the first electrode by a first arm molecule, and electrically connected to the second electrode by a second arm molecule, to form a conductive pathway between the first and second electrodes through the binding probe;
wherein each of the first and second arm molecules independently comprise a protein alpha-helix, a graphene nanoribbon, or an antibody Fab domain;
wherein each of the first and second arm molecules has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first arm molecule is conjugated to the binding probe and the second end of the first arm molecule is bonded to the first electrode, wherein the first end of the second arm molecule is conjugated to the binding probe and the second end of the second arm molecule is bonded to the second electrode, and wherein the first end of each of the first and second arm molecules bond are conjugated to two distinct sites on the binding probe so that a portion of the binding probe is included in the conductive pathway.

2 more elements

A method of performing a binding detection assay, comprising:

providing a binding probe-based molecular circuit having spaced-apart first and second electrodes and a binding probe molecule, wherein the binding probe is electrically connected to the first electrode by a first arm molecule, and electrically connected to the second electrode by a second arm molecule to form a conductive pathway between the first and second electrodes through the binding probe, wherein each of the first and second arm molecules independently comprise a protein alpha-helix, a graphene nanoribbon, or an antibody Fab domain, wherein each of the first and second arm molecules has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first arm molecule is conjugated to the binding probe and the second end of the first arm molecule is bonded to the first electrode, wherein the first end of the second arm molecule is conjugated to the binding probe and the second end of the second arm molecule is bonded to the second electrode, and wherein the first end of each of the first and second arm molecules are conjugated to two distinct sites on the binding probe so that a portion of the binding probe is included in the conductive pathway;
initiating at least one of a voltage or a current through the circuit;
exposing the circuit to a solution potentially containing a target molecule;
and
measuring electrical signals through the circuit as the binding probe binds the target, wherein the electrical signals are processed to identify structural features that provide information on the proper binding of the probe to its target.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Binding probe circuits for molecular sensors

Life of this patent

Binding probe circuits for molecular sensors

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims32