Biologic machines for the detection of biomolecules
Inventors
Albrecht, Jeff • Conrad, Andrew J.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12319953-B2
Publication Date
2025-06-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
Disclosed are methods, devices and systems for the isolation and detection of biomolecules from a sample. The embodiments, detection of such biomolecules provides for detection of microorganisms. For example, disclosed are methods, devices and systems that use bacteriophage-based amplification of the signal in detection of bacteria and other microorganisms. The devices, systems and methods of the invention may allow for the detection of certain biomolecules peptides and ions in real time using minute amounts of sample.
Core Innovation
The invention provides biologic machines for detection of a microorganism in a sample by bacteriophage-based amplification followed by rapid real-time detection from minute samples. A lytic bacteriophage infects the microorganism to generate progeny bacteriophage and a soluble enzyme released when the microorganism is lysed by the progeny bacteriophage. Detection is based on a detectable product of a reaction catalyzed by the released soluble enzyme found in solution in a detection chamber.
The biologic machines include a device architecture with a first chamber for containing the sample and the lytic bacteriophage and one or more filters located between a port for adding the lytic bacteriophage and an inlet for introducing the sample. The filters are used to separate components so that the detection chamber receives a reaction mixture in which the soluble enzyme in solution can catalyze formation of a detectable product. A detection chamber further comprises a detector configured to detect the detectable product, where detection of the detectable product indicates that the microorganism is present in the sample.
The invention further describes detection devices that can generate measurable physical or chemical changes, including luminescence/fluorescence and electrical signals, and can include computer-based systems for readout/quantification using baseline signal comparison. The disclosed system supports broad sample matrices, including food, water, clinical, and environmental samples, and provides kit components and device options for performing the bacteriophage amplification and detection workflow in a compact format with time-to-detection in minutes to about 2 hours or less.
Claims Coverage
The document contains one independent claim directed to a bacteriophage/soluble-enzyme detection system with a multi-chamber device and detector. The main inventive features described across the independent claim are lytic bacteriophage producing progeny bacteriophage and releasing a soluble enzyme upon lysis, and a device that uses a first chamber with filters and a detection chamber that detects a reaction product catalyzed by the soluble enzyme in solution.
Lytic bacteriophage infection with soluble enzyme release
A lytic bacteriophage capable of infecting the microorganism to generate progeny bacteriophage and a soluble enzyme released when the microorganism is lysed by the progeny bacteriophage.
First chamber with port, sample inlet, and filters between them
A first chamber configured for containing the sample and the lytic bacteriophage, wherein the first chamber comprises a port for adding the lytic bacteriophage, an inlet for introducing the sample, and one or more filters located between the port for adding lytic bacteriophage and the inlet for introducing the sample.
Detection chamber with detector for soluble-enzyme-catalyzed product
A detection chamber comprising a detector configured to detect a detectable product of a reaction catalyzed by the released soluble enzyme found in solution in the detection chamber, wherein detection of the detectable product indicates that the microorganism is present in the sample.
Overall, the claim coverage is anchored on using a lytic bacteriophage to lyse a microorganism and release a soluble enzyme, and then detecting a detectable product catalyzed by that soluble enzyme in solution in a separate detection chamber, with a first chamber that includes filters between the lytic bacteriophage port and the sample inlet.
Stated Advantages
Rapid detection using biologic machines with detection based on a soluble-enzyme-catalyzed detectable product, with time-to-detection in minutes to about 2 hours or less.
Documented Applications
Detection of a microorganism in a sample from broad sample matrices including food, water, clinical, and environmental samples.
Detection performed using biologic machines and device architectures with kit components for use with minute samples.
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