Transient induced molecula electronic spectroscopy method for study of molecule interactions
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsYu-Hwa Lo, Tiantian Zhang, Ti-Hsuan Ku, Yuanyuan Han
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Abstract
Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for studying physical or chemical properties of molecules, and/or interactions between molecules such as protein-ligand interactions. The methods, systems, and devices involve transient induced molecular electronic spectroscopy (TIMES). In some configuration, a microfluidic channel having at least one inlet and at least one outlet is used for holding molecules for analyzing the molecules or interactions between molecules.
Claims18
A device for measuring a transient induced molecular electronic spectroscopy (TIMES) signal of a molecule, comprising:
- a microfluidic channel that can be filled with a solution;
- a sensing pad comprising an electrode, wherein the electrode is in contact with the solution in the microfluidic channel;
- a low-noise amplifier circuit;
- at least one inlet coupled to a first end of the microfluidic channel;
- at least one outlet coupled to a second end of the microfluidic channel;
- and
- a mechanism to control the flow rate of the solution in the microfluidic channel during the measurement.
A method of detecting a molecule in a solution comprising:
- conditioning a microfluidic channel;
- allowing a solution containing the molecule to flow through a first inlet connected to the microfluidic channel;
- receiving a signal generated by the molecule in contact with an electrode in the microfluidic channel;
- performing an analog-to-digital conversion of the signal to generate a digitized signal;
- and
- processing the digitized signal by a processor to obtain a transient induced molecular electronic spectroscopy (TIMES) dissociation constant of the molecule.
A method of detecting the binding of a first molecule and a second molecule comprising:
- detecting the first molecule and detecting the second molecule according to:
- conditioning a microfluidic channel,
- allowing a solution containing the molecule to flow through a first inlet connected to the microfluidic channel,
- receiving a signal generated by the molecule in contact with an electrode in the microfluidic channel,
- performing an analog-to-digital conversion of the signal to generate a digitized signal, and
- processing the digitized signal by a processor to obtain a transient induced molecular electronic spectroscopy (TIMES) dissociation constant of the molecule;
- mixing the first molecule and the second molecule in a solution such that a complex is formed between the two molecules;
- detecting the complex of the first molecule and the second molecule;
- comparing the TIMES dissociation constants of the first molecule, the second molecule and the complex of the first molecule and the second molecule to determine the binding of the first molecule and the second molecule.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.