Device and methods for liquid crystal-based bioagent detection
First Claim
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1. A method for detecting the presence of a bioagent in a sample, comprising:
- (a) forming a membrane containing a polymerized target for the bioagent at an interface between a liquid crystal and an aqueous phase, said polymerized target comprising the target for the bioagent covalently cross-linked to a polymer network;
(b) introducing the sample into the aqueous phase; and
(c) observing the orientational order of the liquid crystal, thereby detecting the presence of the bioagent in the sample, wherein interaction of the bioagent and said polymerized target leads to a change in the orientational order of the liquid crystal, said orientational change indicating the presence of the bioagent.
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Abstract
The present invention provides liquid crystal-based devices and methods for bioagent detection. In certain aspects, the present invention is directed to devices and methods utilizing liquid crystals and membranes containing polymerized targets that can report the presence of bioagents including, but not limited to, enzymes, antibodies, and toxins.
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8 Claims
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1. A method for detecting the presence of a bioagent in a sample, comprising:
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(a) forming a membrane containing a polymerized target for the bioagent at an interface between a liquid crystal and an aqueous phase, said polymerized target comprising the target for the bioagent covalently cross-linked to a polymer network; (b) introducing the sample into the aqueous phase; and (c) observing the orientational order of the liquid crystal, thereby detecting the presence of the bioagent in the sample, wherein interaction of the bioagent and said polymerized target leads to a change in the orientational order of the liquid crystal, said orientational change indicating the presence of the bioagent. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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