Immobilization of Amino Group-Containing or Thiol Group-Containing Bait Molecules onto Iron-Based Particles

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This patent discloses a novel method and composition for rapidly and specifically identifying proteins of interest (such as antibodies or pathogen proteins) in biological or aqueous samples. The core invention is the construction of a detection complex: a superparamagnetic iron-based particle is functionalized with a catechol acid linker, which is then covalently attached to a bait molecule containing amino or thiol groups (such as viral antigens or aptamers). When exposed to a sample, the bait molecule captures the target protein, and the resulting complex can be magnetically separated and detected using labeled antibodies and flow cytometry. This approach offers a versatile, robust platform for in vitro diagnostics, especially in disease detection and monitoring.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Rapid detection of specific antibodies (e.g., SARS-CoV-2, HIV) in human blood or serum samples for infectious disease diagnosis and monitoring.
• Screening for autoantibodies in samples as markers for autoimmune disease diagnostics.
• Identification of specific protein biomarkers (e.g., cancer markers) in clinical samples for disease diagnosis or monitoring.
• Point-of-care testing in clinics or remote settings due to the simple magnetic separation process.
• Environmental monitoring for proteins of interest in water samples (e.g., pathogen proteins in wastewater).
• Customization of diagnostic tests by changing the bait molecule for versatile target detection across a range of diseases.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Highly specific and stable attachment of target proteins or antibodies due to covalent linkage, reducing false positives and enhancing accuracy.
• Magnetic separation simplifies handling, allows rapid and efficient isolation of the protein–particle complexes from complex samples.
• Robustness and versatility, as the platform can work with virtually any bait molecule that has an amino or thiol group, extending applications across diagnostics.
• Enables multiplexed detection via flow cytometry, increasing throughput for large-scale screenings.
• Avoids dependence on specialized equipment or expensive reagents found in competing methods; components are relatively cheap and linker chemistry is straightforward.
• Can be adapted for use in resource-limited or decentralized healthcare settings due to ease of use and magnetic separation.

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Patent Abstract

The present invention is concerned a method for identifying a protein of interest in an aqueous or body fluid sample. The identification is carried out by using a complex comprising (A) a superparamagnetic iron-based particle, (B) one or more catechol acid moieties, and (C) one or more bait molecules, wherein B has been bound to A, and wherein B has been covalently linked to C by activating the catechol acid and reacting said activated catechol acid with the amino group or the thiol group of C. The invention also relates to said complex as well as a use of said complex for identifying a protein of interest in an aqueous or body fluid sample. Finally, the invention also refers to a method for diagnosing a disease or disorder, wherein a protein of interest is identified in a body fluid sample of a patient by using said complex.