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US 2003/0113741 A1Published application
Apparatus and method for detecting and identifying infectious agents
AssigneeProlume, Ltd.
InventorsBruce J. Bryan, Stephen Gaalema, Randall B. Murphy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Solid phase methods for the identification of an analyte in a biological medium, such as a body fluid, using bioluminescence are provided. A chip designed for performing the method and detecting the bioluminescence is also provided. Methods employing biomineralization for depositing silicon on a matrix support are also provided. A synthetic synapse is also provided.
Claims80
A microelectronic device, comprising:
- a substrate;
- a plurality of micro-locations defined on the substrate, wherein each micro-location is for linking a macromolecule;
- an independent photodetector optically coupled to each micro-location, each photodetector being configured to generate a sensed signal responsive to the photons of light emitted at the corresponding micro-location when a light-emitting chemical reaction occurs at that micro-location, each photodetector being independent from the photodetectors optically coupled to the other micro-locations;
- and
- an electronic circuit coupled to each photodetector and configured to read the sensed signal generated by each photodetector and to generate output data signals therefrom that are indicative of the light emitted at each micro-location by the light-emitting chemical reactions, whereby the device detects photons of light emitted by light-emitting chemical reactions.
2 more elements
A method of depositing silica on a matrix material, comprising:
- isolating a silicalemma from a diatom or a cytokalymma from radiolaria;
- transporting silicon into the silicalemma or cytokalymma to effect nucleation and epitaxial growth of silicon monomers;
- and
- effecting the polymerization of silicon dioxide along the interface region of the matrix to form a matrix-silicate mesostructure.
1 more element
A synthetic neuronal synapse, comprising:
- a microelectronic device comprising a derivatized silicon substrate on an inert base and a photodetector optically coupled to the derivatized silicon surface, the photodetector being configured to generate a sensed signal responsive to the photons of light emitted;
- a fusion protein bound to the surface of the derivatized silicon substrate, wherein the fusion protein comprises a luciferase conjugated to a polypeptide comprising one or more binding domains for a neurotransmitter, whereby upon binding of the neurotransmitter to polypeptide in the fusion protein, the fusion protein undergoes a conformational change that modulates the luciferase activity of the fusion protein;
- a fluid dispensing means in association with the base for delivering fluid to the surface of the derivatized silicon substrate;
- a first electronic circuit coupled to the photodetector and configured to read the sensed signal generated by each photodetector and to generate output data signals;
- a computer processor operably associated with the electronic circuit for receiving and processing the output data signals;
- a second electronic circuit in operable association with the computer processor for receiving electronic signals for linking to a muscle or muscle fiber of an animal, wherein the muscle or muscle fiber controls extensor motor control;
- and
- a third electronic circuit in operable association with the computer processor for receiving electronic signals for linking to a muscle or muscle fiber of an animal, wherein the muscle or muscle fiber controls flexor motor control.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.