Detection and quantification at the level of single molecules is the ultimate goal of analytical assays. This sensitive, platform technology could transform diverse fields, from environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics to the fundamental studies of chemical and biochemical processes. The early potential of synthetic, ion channel-forming peptides was has not been realized; one factor of many has been the inability to translate the technology to low cost, large scale production of stable and portable devices. The absence of generalized modalities for sensing a broad range of analytes left few incentives to clear the hurdles.
UC San Diego researchers developed proprietary compositions of matter and methods for synthesizing exquisitely sensitive, ion channel-based nanosensors. Two different synthetic building blocks give ready access to a wide range of ion channel-based sensors that respond to specific and tailored external stimuli. These novel ion channels are extremely stable and the approach has been validated by the detection of selected chemical transformations, protein-ligand interactions, and enzymatic reactions. The nanoscale characteristics of these probes enable the development of highly sensitive assays in a low cost, portable format and the ability to design miniaturized devices may also enable the development of parallel assays in a high density platform.
Ion channel-forming peptides are particularly attractive as a practical, molecular platform for development of nanoprobes. Advantages include their:
A robust and well-characterized, proprietary, synthetic method has been used to generate ultra-sensitive sensors. Two of these ion channel-based building blocks (carrying reactive amine and azide functionalities) have been modified by versatile “click” reactions to yield sensors that:
See issued patent, below, for "Novel Ion Channel-Forming Peptides."
“Engineered ion channels as emerging tools for chemical biology” Mayer M. and J. Yang, Acc Chem Res. 2013, 46(12):2998-3008.
Country | Type | Number | Dated | Case |
United States Of America | Issued Patent | 8,586,369 | 11/19/2013 | 2008-006 |
nano-sensor, nanosensor, Gramicidin, gA, platform, new chemical entity, NCE, composition, clean technology, environmental, monitor, diagnosis, redox, light detection, click chemistry, detector, click, protein-ligand, enzyme