Patent-Organic Semiconductor Recognition Complex and System

Abstract

In a recognition complex system, nucleic acid ligands comprising random DNA sequences are operatively coupled to an organic semiconductor and distributed so as to form an array of recognition complexes. When an unknown chemical or biological analyte is applied to the array, the electrical and/or photochemical properties of one or more of the recognition complexes are altered upon binding of the nucleic acid ligand to the analyte. The degree to which the electrical and/or photochemical properties change is a function of the affinity of the nucleic acid ligand sequence for the analyte. The electrical and photochemical changes associated with the array, as a whole, can be used as a unique signature to identify the analyte. In certain embodiments, an iterative process of selection and amplification of nucleic acid ligands that bind to the analyte can be used to generate a new array with greater affinity and specificity for a target analyte, or to produce one or more nucleic acid ligands with high binding affinity for an analyte. The present invention also provides methods for preparing nucleic acid ligands that bind with high affinity to an analyte and using such nucleic acid ligands to neutralize the analyte. There are 65 Claims and 15 Drawings in the Awarded Patent.

Original Filing Date June 30, 2000.

Inventors: Johnathan Kiel, John Bruno, Jill Parker, John Alls, Charles Batishko, and Eric Holwitt. (Inventors bolded and italicized were CMI employees as of the date of filing.)

Eric Holwitt was employed by CMI from 13 May 1998 through 30 May 2003. Previous to 13 May 1998, Dr. Holwitt was Major in the Air Force; subsequent to 30 May 2003 Dr. Holwitt is employed as a government civilian working at Brooks City-Base TX thru early 2011 and currently at Wright-Patterson AFV, OH.

The Federal Government has rights to use the present invention pursuant to contract F41624-00-D-7000 awarded by the Department of the Air Force.

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