Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Assignees
MemberParagrafParagrafParagraf specializes in the development and manufacture of wafer-scale, silicon-compatible graphene electronic devices and sensors. Utilizing a proprietary process for direct, contamination-free graphene synthesis, the company delivers scalable solutions for magnetic field sensing, molecular and biosensing, and advanced electronics integration. These technologies address challenges in cryogenics, quantum computing, automotive, aerospace, environmental monitoring, and healthcare. With a focus on large-scale integration of 2D materials, Paragraf advances next-generation sensors and components for demanding and extreme environments.
Paragraf specializes in the development and manufacture of wafer-scale, silicon-compatible graphene electronic devices and sensors. Utilizing a proprietary process for direct, contamination-free graphene synthesis, the company delivers scalable solutions for magnetic field sensing, molecular and biosensing, and advanced electronics integration. These technologies address challenges in cryogenics, quantum computing, automotive, aerospace, environmental monitoring, and healthcare. With a focus on large-scale integration of 2D materials, Paragraf advances next-generation sensors and components for demanding and extreme environments.
Publication Number
US-9765395-B2
Publication Date
2017-09-19
Expiration Date
Abstract
A DNA sequencing and blood chemistry analysis device is provided including one or more sensor chips and one or more sample wells, wherein each sample well is configured to form a seal with one of the sensors. The one or more sensor chips may comprise Graphene transistors, and each transistor having an associated sequencing probe. The sensor chips interact with a biological sample introduced into the sample well, wherein changes in the current, transconductance, and resistance of the Graphene transistors are indicative of a DNA binding process. Based on the associated sequencing probes, the DNA sequence present in a biological sample can be identified.
Core Innovation
A DNA sequencing and blood chemistry analysis device is provided including one or more sensor chips and one or more sample wells, wherein each sample well is configured to form a seal with one of the sensors. The one or more sensor chips may comprise Graphene transistors, and each transistor having an associated sequencing probe. The sensor chips interact with a biological sample introduced into the sample well, wherein changes in the current, transconductance, and resistance of the Graphene transistors are indicative of a DNA binding process, and based on the associated sequencing probes, the DNA sequence present in a biological sample can be identified.
The present disclosure is directed towards DNA sequencing using a nanoelectronic circuit by disposing the electronic circuit in the testing device, exposing the testing device to a biological sample, and measuring changes in electrical properties of the electronic circuit system. The changes in electrical properties are analyzed to determine the presence of binding DNA subjugates based on the changes in pH associated with such binding process, and this technique can be extraordinarily sensitive and can be engineered to tailor the sensitivity of the electronic circuit system to obtain desired measurements.
Diagnostic technologies generally do not have the sensitivity to directly detect the presence of infectious agents such as a bacteria, virus, or diseased tissue before an immune response occurs and most diagnostic technologies detect such infections or ailments through detection of antibodies created by a patient's immune system. Current blood diagnostic systems rely on technologies including enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA), gel electrophoresis and blood culture which require significant time to run and require either significant expertise or very expensive automation equipment to run. DNA sequencing and blood chemistry analysis testing may be improved by increasing sensitivity, as well as reducing the high cost and high operator-dependence of current tests.
Claims Coverage
One independent claim is present and recites four main inventive features.
Biological sample sensor comprising plurality of transistors
A biological sample sensor comprising a plurality of transistors, wherein at least one transistor comprises a scattering site.
Graphene transistor scattering site covalently bonded to sequencing probe
At least one transistor comprises sp2 hybridized Carbon in the form of Graphene and each scattering site comprises sp3 hybridized Carbon, the sp3 hybridized Carbon being covalently bonded to a sequencing probe, such that if the sequencing probe detects a complimentary DNA sequence while voltage is applied to the transistor, the electrical properties of the transistor will change.
Sample well fluidically coupled to the biological sample sensor
A sample well having a bottom portion, wherein the sample well is in fluidic communication with the biological sample sensor.
Computing module identifying DNA sequence from electrical changes
A computing module, wherein the computing module is configured to identify the DNA sequence based on the change in electrical properties of the at least one transistor.
The independent claim combines a sensor array of transistors with Graphene-based scattering sites covalently bonded to sequencing probes, a sample well in fluidic communication with the sensor, and a computing module configured to identify DNA sequence from changes in electrical properties arising during DNA binding.
Stated Advantages
This technique can be extraordinarily sensitive.
The sensitivity of the electronic circuit system can be engineered or tailored to obtain desired measurements.
DNA sequencing and blood chemistry analysis testing may be improved by increasing sensitivity and by reducing the high cost and high operator-dependence of current tests.
Graphene does not oxidize in air, is extremely chemically inert, and thermally stable without the need for disposing protective layers on the Graphene, and accordingly less material is necessary to construct the Graphene chip, allowing the Graphene chip to be placed directly in contact with the sensing environment.
Documented Applications
DNA sequencing using a nanoelectronic circuit that measures changes in electrical properties caused by pH changes associated with DNA base binding.
Blood chemistry analysis and electronic biological sample analysis for detection of antibodies and biological markers.
Detection of viral or bacterial infections and other ailments by identifying antibodies generated by a patient's immune system, including earlier-stage detection where possible.
Detection and analysis of cancer markers and autoimmune disease markers as listed in the disclosure (e.g., prostate specific antigen, cancer antigens, alpha fetoprotein, beta-2-microglobulin, etc.).
Interested in licensing this patent?