Selective Capture and Release of Analytes

Abstract

The described subject matter includes techniques and components for minimally invasive, selective capture and release of analytes. An aptamer is selected for its binding affinity with a particular analyte(s). The aptamer is functionalized on a solid phase, for example, microbeads, polymer monolith, microfabricated solid phase, etc. The analyte is allowed to bind to the aptamer, for example, in a microchamber. Once the analyte has been bound, a temperature control sets the temperature to an appropriate temperature at which the captured analyte is released.

1 . A system for capture and selective release of an analyte, comprising:
 a solid phase;   an aptamer functionalized on the solid phase, the aptamer adapted to bind the analyte; and   a temperature regulator thermally coupled to the aptamer for setting the temperature of the aptamer to a set point, the analyte released from the aptamer at the set point.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the analyte initially exists in an impure form and the impurities are removed with a washing solution after the analyte is bound to the aptamer. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the analyte includes an oligonucleotide. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the solid phase includes a microbead. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the analyte is in an aqueous solution. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a collector for collecting the released analyte; and   a detector for measuring the amount of analyte released.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the collector includes a spotting well. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the detector is a mass spectrometer. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a microchannel for receiving the released analyte and directing the released analyte through a hydrophobic valve.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is incorporated on a microfluidic chip platform. 
     
     
         11 . A method for capturing and selectively releasing an analyte, comprising:
 (a) binding the analyte to an aptamer, the aptamer functionalized on a solid phase; and   (b) setting the temperature of the aptamer such that the analyte is released from the aptamer.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 (c) introducing the analyte to the aptamer in an impure form;   (d) washing the bound aptamer analyte complex to remove impurities; and   (e) repeating (c), (a), and (d) such that the amount of bound analyte is increased.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 (f) collecting and detecting the analyte.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the detecting includes performing mass spectrometry on the released analyte. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the detecting includes detecting fluorescence intensity. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the solid phase includes a microbead. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the analyte includes an oligonucleotide. 
     
     
         18 . A method for selectively increasing the concentration of an analyte, comprising:
 (a) functionalizing a solid phase with an aptamer;   (b) introducing the analyte to the aptamer in an impure form;   (c) binding the analyte to the aptamer;   (d) washing the bound aptamer analyte complex to remove impurities;   (e) repeating (a)-(d) until a desired analyte concentration is reached; and   (f) setting the temperature of the aptamer such that the analyte is released from the aptamer.