Bridged element for detection of a target substance
First Claim
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1. A device comprising:
- a template molecule linked between at least two contact points including a first contact point disposed on a first surface and a second contact point disposed on a second surface, wherein the first surface is independent of the second surface, and wherein the template molecule includes at least one recognition site for a target molecule; and
a detector coupled to the first contact point and the second contact point, the first contact point and the second contact point having a first physical parameter, the detector configured to generate an output signal based on a change in the first physical parameter indicative of electrical conduction through the template molecule, wherein the change in the first physical parameter corresponds to an association between the target molecule and the template molecule, wherein a single stranded conductive nucleic acid molecule is selected as the template molecule; and
wherein the template molecule, the first contact point, the detector and the second contact point form an electrical circuit, and further, wherein the detector comprises a driving circuit for providing a current or voltage through the electrical circuit for disassociating the template molecule from the target molecule.
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Abstract
Physical changes resulting from an association between a template molecule and a target molecule are detected by monitoring changes in the template molecule. Exemplary changes include a change in a physical dimension or stiffness of the template molecule, a change in electrical conductivity of the template molecule and a change in the energy required to dissociate the target molecule and the template molecule. The magnitude of the change is indicative of the specific identity of the target molecule.
19 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A device comprising:
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a template molecule linked between at least two contact points including a first contact point disposed on a first surface and a second contact point disposed on a second surface, wherein the first surface is independent of the second surface, and wherein the template molecule includes at least one recognition site for a target molecule; and a detector coupled to the first contact point and the second contact point, the first contact point and the second contact point having a first physical parameter, the detector configured to generate an output signal based on a change in the first physical parameter indicative of electrical conduction through the template molecule, wherein the change in the first physical parameter corresponds to an association between the target molecule and the template molecule, wherein a single stranded conductive nucleic acid molecule is selected as the template molecule; and wherein the template molecule, the first contact point, the detector and the second contact point form an electrical circuit, and further, wherein the detector comprises a driving circuit for providing a current or voltage through the electrical circuit for disassociating the template molecule from the target molecule. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 31, 36)
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20. A method comprising:
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exposing a target molecule to a template molecule to form a hybridized nucleic acid molecule, the template molecule linked between at least two contact points including a first contact point disposed on a first surface and a second contact point disposed on a second surface, wherein the template molecule includes at least one recognition site for a target molecule, wherein a single stranded conductive nucleic acid molecule is selected as the template molecule; generating an output signal as a function of a change in a first physical parameter indicative of electrical conduction through the template molecule and measured using the first contact point relative to a reference point, wherein the change in the first physical parameter corresponds to an association between the target molecule and the template molecule; and generating a current or voltage that passes through the first contact point, the template molecule and the second contact point to disassociate the hybridized nucleic acid molecule. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 37)
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24. A system comprising:
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a target molecule introduction port for receiving a sample; a sensor having a template molecule in communication with the target molecule introduction port, the template molecule linked between a first point on a first surface and a second point on a second surface, the first surface independent of the second surface and wherein the template molecule has at least one recognition site specific to a target molecule, wherein a single stranded conductive nucleic acid molecule is selected as the template molecule; a detector coupled to the first point and the second point and configured to generate an output signal based on a change in a measured parameter corresponding to an association between the template molecule with the target molecule, wherein the measured parameter is electrical conduction through the template molecule; and an output circuit to provide a result based on the output signal; and wherein the template molecule, the first contact point, the detector and the second contact point form an electrical circuit, and further, wherein the detector comprises a driving circuit for providing a current or voltage through the electrical circuit for disassociation of the template molecule from the target molecule. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 38)
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32. A device comprising:
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a template nucleic acid molecule linked between at least two contact points including a first contact point disposed on a first surface and a second contact point disposed on a second surface, wherein the first surface is independent of the second surface, and wherein the template nucleic acid molecule includes at least one recognition site for a target nucleic acid molecule and is selected as a conductive single stranded nucleic acid molecule; wherein the template nucleic acid molecule, the first contact point, the detector and the second contact point form an electrical circuit, and further, wherein the detector comprises a driving circuit for providing a current or voltage through the electrical circuit for disassociation of the template molecule from the target molecule; and a detector coupled to the first contact point and the second contact point, the first contact point and the second contact point having a first physical parameter indicative of electrical conduction though the template nucleic acid molecule, the detector configured to generate an output signal based on a change in electrical conduction through the template nucleic acid molecule associated with hybridization of a target nucleic acid molecule to the template nucleic acid molecule and with disassociation of the template nucleic acid molecule from the target nucleic acid molecule. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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34. A method comprising:
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a) exposing a target nucleic acid molecule to a template nucleic acid molecule to yield a hybridized nucleic acid molecule, the template molecule linked between at least two contact points including a first contact point disposed on a first surface and a second contact point disposed on a second surface, wherein the template nucleic acid molecule includes at least one recognition site for the target nucleic acid molecule and is selected as a single stranded conductive nucleic acid molecule; b) generating an output signal as a function of a change in a first physical parameter indicative of electrical conduction through the template molecule and measured using the first contact point relative to a reference point, wherein the change in the first physical parameter is associated with hybridization of the target nucleic acid molecule to the template nucleic acid molecule; and c) generating a current or voltage that passes through the first contact point, the template molecule and the second contact point to disassociate the hybridized nucleic acid molecule. - View Dependent Claims (35)
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Specification