Application of biosensors for diagnosis and treatment of disease

• US 6,974,706 B1
• Filed: 01/16/2003
• Issued: 12/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: University of Florida (State University System of Florida)
• Original Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated (State University System of Florida)
• Inventors: Melker, Richard J., Dennis, Donn Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Christopher L.
• Application Number:
  US10/345,532
• Time in Patent Office: 1,062 Days
• Field of Search: 436/164, 436/172, 436/518, 436/524, 436/528, 436/805, 436/811, 436/815, 436/900, 435/4, 435/7.1, 435/7.9, 435/7.92, 435/6, 422/83, 422/84, 422/85, 422/86
• US Class Current: 436/518
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5308 for analytes not provided for elsewhere, e.g. nucleic acids, uric acid, worms, mites
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/805 Optical property
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/811 Test for named disease, body condition or organ function
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/815 Test for named compound or class of compounds
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/90 Breath testing

Abstract

A method for detecting compounds of interest in bodily fluids, including exhaled breath and blood. The present invention uses biosensors that mimic naturally occurring cellular mechanisms, including RNA oligonucleotide chains or “aptamers,” in combination with molecular beacons or nanotechnology to provide an effective and efficient method for diagnosing a condition and/or disease within a patient. The subject invention also provides a method for screening those analytes/biomarkers likely to be present in exhaled breath.

Claims

1. A method for detecting a target analyte/biomarker in exhaled breath comprising:

a.) exposing to the exhaled breath an aptamer that selectively binds to the target analyte/biomarker, wherein the aptamer is linked with a molecular beacon; and

b.) detecting a signal generated by the molecular beacon to indicate the presence of the target analyte/biomarker in the exhaled breath,

wherein the target analyte/biomarker is selected from the group consisting of acetaldehyde, acetone, ammonia, CO, chloroform, dichlorobenzene, diethylamine, hydrogen, isoprene, isoprostane, methanethiol, methylethylketone, O-toluidine, pentane sulfides and sulfides, H₂S, MES, and Me₂S.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the molecular beacon is an amplifying fluorescent polymer.