Food pathogen sensor using molecularly imprinted polymers

• US 20040106162A1
• Filed: 08/28/2003
• Published: 06/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gulf Research and Development Company
• Original Assignee: Gulf Research and Development Company
• Inventors: Glasel, Jay A., Freeman, Carl J.
• Application Number:
  US10/652,972
• Publication Number:
  US 20040106162A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/7.32
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2600/00 Assays involving molecular imprinted polymers/polymers created around a molecular template
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/542 with steric inhibition or signal modification, e.g. fluorescent quenching
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/544 the carrier being organic
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/569 for microorganisms, e.g. protozoa, bacteria, viruses

Abstract

A sensor for sensing pathogens includes a molecularly imprinted polymer membrane applied to a surface of a flexible backing. The molecularly imprinted polymer membrane is capable of selectively binding pathogens such that binding sites will be fluorescent in the absence of pathogens and fluorescence is quenched in the presence of pathogens. Monitoring the fluorescence quenching will provide detection of contamination.

Claims

1. A sensor for sensing food pathogens, said sensor comprising a molecularly imprinted polymer membrane imprinted with one or more binding sites that are capable of selectively binding pathogens such that binding sites will be fluorescent in the absence of pathogens and fluorescence is quenched in the presence of pathogens.

2. The sensor of claim 1 wherein said molecularly imprinted polymer membrane is applied to a flexible backing.

3. The sensor of claim 1 wherein said molecularly imprinted polymer membrane has fluorescent compounds incorporated therein.

4. The sensor of claim 1 wherein said molecularly imprinted polymer membrane includes binding sites that bind different pathogens.

5. A sensor for sensing food pathogens, said sensor comprising:

a flexible backing; and

a molecularly imprinted polymer membrane applied to a surface of said flexible backing, said molecularly imprinted polymer membrane being imprinted with one or more binding sites that are capable of selectively binding pathogens such that binding sites will be fluorescent in the absence of pathogens and fluorescence is quenched in the presence of pathogens.

6. The sensor of claim 5 wherein said molecularly imprinted polymer membrane has fluorescent compounds incorporated therein.

7. The sensor of claim 5 wherein said molecularly imprinted polymer membrane includes binding sites that bind different pathogens.

8. A system for sensing food pathogens, said system comprising:

a molecularly imprinted polymer membrane imprinted with one or more binding sites that are capable of selectively binding pathogens such that binding sites will be fluorescent in the absence of pathogens and fluorescence is quenched in the presence of pathogens; and

a fluorescence scanner for scanning said molecularly imprinted polymer membrane to detect patterns and magnitudes of fluorescence quenching.

9. The sensor of claim 8 wherein said molecularly imprinted polymer membrane is applied to a flexible backing.

10. The sensor of claim 8 wherein said molecularly imprinted polymer membrane has fluorescent compounds incorporated therein.

11. The sensor of claim 8 wherein said molecularly imprinted polymer membrane includes binding sites that bind different pathogens.