Bridged element for detection of a target substance
First Claim
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1. A device, comprising:
- 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, the first contact point and the second contact point having a first physical parameter;
a template molecule linked between the at least two contact points, wherein the template molecule is a selected polypeptide molecule which 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 detector configured to generate an output signal based on a change in the first physical parameter indicative of electrical conduction through the template molecule, the detector further comprising a driving circuit,wherein the template molecule, the first contact point, the detector and the second contact point form an electrical circuit, and further, wherein the driving circuit is configured to provide a current through or voltage across the electrical circuit to disassociate 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.
42 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A device, comprising:
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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, the first contact point and the second contact point having a first physical parameter; a template molecule linked between the at least two contact points, wherein the template molecule is a selected polypeptide molecule which 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 detector configured to generate an output signal based on a change in the first physical parameter indicative of electrical conduction through the template molecule, the detector further comprising a driving circuit, wherein the template molecule, the first contact point, the detector and the second contact point form an electrical circuit, and further, wherein the driving circuit is configured to provide a current through or voltage across the electrical circuit to disassociate 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, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method comprising:
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exposing a target molecule to a template polypeptide 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 the target molecule; generating an output signal as a function of a change in a first physical parameter indicative of electrical conduction through the template molecule measured using the first contact point relative to a reference point, wherein the change in the first physical parameter corresponds to an association of the target molecule and the template molecule; and generating a current through or voltage across the first contact point, the template molecule and the second contact point to disassociate the target molecule from the template molecule. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A system comprising:
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a target molecule introduction port to receive 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 is a polypeptide and has at least one recognition site specific to a target molecule; a detector coupled to the first point and the second contact point and configured to generate an output signal based on a change in a measured parameter of the first point and corresponding to an association of the template molecule with the target molecule, wherein the measured parameter is based on electrical conduction through the template molecule; and an output circuit to provide a result based on the output signal, wherein the template molecule, the detector and the second contact point form an electrical circuit, and further wherein the detector further comprises a driving circuit configure to provide a current through or voltage across the electrical circuit to disassociate the template molecule from the target molecule. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification