Passive insect surveillance sensor device
AssigneeUniversity of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
InventorsBradley J. Willenberg, Sudipta Seal
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed are real-time insect surveillance sensor devices and methods that use a colorimetric readout for detecting insect disease vectors (such as mosquitoes which can transmit pathogens such as DENV, CHIKV, and ZIKV). The method involves an attractive or feeding solution combined with detector conjugates. The conjugate can specifically detect proteins present in insect saliva and/or proteins specific to mosquito-borne pathogens.
Claims84
A device comprising:
- (a) a payload reservoir comprising an insect attractant or insect food source;
- and
- (b) a detector conjugate comprising a gold nanoparticle conjugated to a specific detector molecule that binds specifically to a protein present in the saliva of a specific insect to be detected.
A device comprising:
- (a) a payload reservoir comprising an insect attractant or insect food source;
- and
- (b) a detector conjugate comprising a gold nanoparticle conjugated to a specific detector molecule that binds specifically to a pathogen protein present in the saliva of an insect infected by the a pathogen.
A method for detecting specific insects which may be located in an area which method comprises:
- (a) providing in said area a sensor device which comprises:
- a payload reservoir comprising an insect attractant or insect food source;
- and a detector conjugate comprising a gold nanoparticle conjugated to a specific detector molecule that binds specifically to a protein present in the saliva of said specific insect to be detected;
- (b) allowing said specific insects to alight on or feed on said sensor device under conditions suitable to allow the binding of said protein to said detector conjugate to form an agglomerated detector conjugate;
- and
- (c) visualizing or quantitating the binding of said protein to said detector conjugate to form an agglomerated detector conjugate to determine the presence of the protein.
A method for detecting an insect infected with a pathogen which may be located in an area, the method comprising:
- (a) providing in said area a sensor device which comprises:
- a payload reservoir comprising an insect attractant or insect food source;
- and a detector conjugate comprising a gold nanoparticle conjugated to a specific detector molecule that binds specifically to a pathogen protein present in the saliva of an insect infected by the a pathogen;
- (b) allowing said specific insects to alight on or feed on said sensor device under conditions suitable to allow the binding of said pathogen protein to said detector conjugate to form an agglomerated detector conjugate;
- and
- (c) visualizing or quantitating the binding of said pathogen protein to said detector conjugate to form an agglomerated detector conjugate to determine the presence of the pathogen protein.
A method for detecting specific insects which may be located in an area which method comprises:
- (a) providing in said area a sensor device which comprises:
- a payload reservoir comprising an insect attractant or insect food source;
- a toxic sugar water substance;
- and a detector conjugate comprising a gold nanoparticle conjugated to a specific detector molecule that binds specifically to a protein present in the saliva of said specific insect to be detected;
- (b) allowing said specific insects to alight on or feed on said sensor device such that said detector conjugate is ingested by the insect, wherein said protein binds to said detector conjugate to form an agglomerated detector conjugate before, during, or after ingestion;
- and
- (c) visualizing or quantitating said agglomerated detector conjugate in the insect.
A method for detecting an insect infected with a pathogen which may be located in an area, the method comprising:
- (a) providing in said area a sensor device which comprises:
- a payload reservoir comprising an insect attractant or insect food source;
- a toxic sugar water substance;
- and a detector conjugate comprising a gold nanoparticle conjugated to a specific detector molecule that binds specifically to a pathogen protein present in the saliva of an insect infected by the a pathogen,
- (b) allowing said specific insects to alight on or feed on said sensor device such that said detector conjugate is ingested by the insect, wherein said protein binds to said detector conjugate to form an agglomerated detector conjugate before, during, or after ingestion;
- and
- (c) visualizing or quantitating said agglomerated detector conjugate in the insect.
A method for detecting specific insects which may be located in an area which method comprises:
- (a) providing in said area a sensor device which comprises a releasing wick, a detector conjugate comprising a gold nanoparticle conjugated to a specific detector molecule that binds specifically to a protein present in the saliva or on the mouthparts or proboscis of said specific insect to be detected, and an insect attractant or insect food source;
- (b) allowing said specific insects to alight on or feed on said sensor device such that said protein binds to said detector conjugate;
- (c) exposing said bound detector conjugate to a concentration of NaCl of about 1 mM to about 1000 mM NaCl to agglomerate said bound detector conjugate;
- and
- (d) visualizing or quantitating said agglomerated detector conjugate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.