DNA and RNA conformational switches as sensitive electronic sensors of analytes
US7947443B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 14, 2008 |
| Grant date | May 24, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 14, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC12Q1/6825
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The electrical conductivity of DNA and other oligonucleotide constructs is dependent on its conformational state. Such a dependence may be harnessed for the electronic sensing of external analytes, for instance, adenosine or thrombin. Such a DNA sensor incorporates an analyte receptor, whose altered conformation in the presence of bound analyte switches the conformation, and hence, the conductive path between two oligonucleotide stems, such as double-helical DNA. Two distinct designs for such sensors are described that permit significant electrical conduction through a first or “detector” double-helical stem only in the presence of the bound analyte. In the first design, current flows through the analyte receptor itself whereas, in the second, current flows in a path adjacent to the receptor. The former design may be especially suitable for certain categories of analytes, including heterocycle-containing compounds such as adenosine, whereas the latter design should be generally applicable to the detection of any molecular analyte, large or small, such as the protein thrombin. Since analyte detection in these DNA sensors is electronic, the sensors may be used in rapid and automated …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.