Simple Biosensors Based on Electrical Percolation Biological Semiconductors

Description of Invention:
The invention offered for licensing is in the field of biosensors with application in diagnostics and in regulation of implantable biomedical devices. More specifically, it is related to biological semiconductors based on the electrical percolation of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The nanotubes are embedded with biological ligands (e.g., antibodies). The electrical resistance of a semiconducting SWNT is found to dramatically increase upon the actuation by a specific antigen. Measurement of the change in resistance correlates with the concentration of the specific antigen and thus provides for quantitative determination and diagnostics of biological samples. The simple printing fabrication of electrical percolation biological semiconductors (EPBSC) can facilitate assembly of numerous types of gates (e.g., antibodies, DNA, etc.) and print many of such gates on the same chip for the creation of biological CPUs for various biomedical applications, including direct biodetection and regulation of implantable biomedical devices.

Applications:
Applications:

• Miniaturized biosensors for various biomedical applications, including: i) direct biodetection of microbial pathogens and their toxins; ii) diagnostics and prognostics of human diseases (e.g., cancer, cardiovascular, or other biomarkers); iii) detection and analysis of nucleic acids (e.g., DNA, RNA); iv) detection and analysis of other analytes (carbohydrates, fatty acids, organic or inorganic compounds).
  • Point of Care (POC) diagnostics (e.g., Physician's office, home-use)
  • Military applications (e.g., remote sensing of biowarfare agents)
• Monitor food safety and detection of environmental pollution
• Regulation of implantable biomedical devices such as insulin pumps or artificial hearts
• New generation of personal detectors (e.g., food allergens, cardiovascular event, etc.)

Advantages:

• The electrical percolation biological semiconductors (EPBSC) are relatively simple to assemble, and do not require specialized fabrication facilities or experience which may broaden the use of EPBSC in a similar way that PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane) technology has broadened the use of lab-on-a-chip.
• Many EPBSC can be fabricated into the same chip enabling simultaneous detection of many analytes.
• Electronic based EPBS detection enable simple digital signal amplification and analysis.
• EPBSC can be relatively stable with respect to retention of biological viability and thus can be stored for long period of time before use.
• EPBSC enable devise miniaturization
• EPBSC are relatively simple to use and may not require special equipment or skilled operator. Thus, these biosensors can be utilized in Physician Office setting, for military applications and for possibly remote sensing for detections of biowarfare materials.
• EPBSC devices will offer speed of detection, ease of use, and it will be inexpensive to make.

Development Status:
Proof of concept was demonstrated. For example, using anti-Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB) IgG antibodies as a gate, and the SEB antigen as an actuator, the inventors could detect as little as 0.1 ng/mL of SEB.

Inventors:
Avraham Rasooly (NCI)


Patent Status:
HHS, Reference No. E-040-2009/0
PCT, Application No. PCT/US2009/064938 filed 18 Nov 2009


Licensing Status:
Available for licensing.

Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The National Cancer Institute, Cancer Diagnostic Program, and the Food and Drug Administration, the Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize Electrical Percolation Biological Semiconductors for biodetection. Please contact John D. Hewes, Ph.D. at 301-435-3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more information. Click here to view the NCI collaborative opportunity announcement.


Portfolios:
Devices/Instrumentation
Devices/Instrumentation - Diagnostics



For Additional Information Please Contact:
Michael Shmilovich Esq.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd. Suite 325,
Rockville, MD 20852
United States
Email: shmilovm@mail.nih.gov
Phone: 301-435-5019
Fax: 301-402-0220


Ref No: 1947

Updated: 04/2010