Viral detection liposomes and method

Abstract

A method of generating pathogen detecting liposomes includes a step of providing molecular beacons with fluorescing components. The molecular beacons include either strands of RNA or DNA and the fluorescing components include an emitter and a quencher. The method further uses nanodroplet technology to encapsulate the molecular beacons within a lipid membrane. Subsequently, receptors are assembled in association with the membrane.

1 . A method of generating pathogen detecting vesicles comprising the steps of:
 providing a means of detecting genetic material;   encapsulating the means of detecting genetic material within a membrane; and   assembling receptors in association with the membrane.   
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the vesicle is a liposome and the membrane is a lipid membrane. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the means of detecting genetic material includes means for hybridizing one of RNA and DNA. 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the means for hybridizing one of DNA and RNA includes a structure with a fluorescent emitter and a quencher that are in close proximity in the absence of analyte. 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the structure includes one of molecular beacons, stem loops, and a sandwich structure. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the fluorescent emitter includes one of quantum dot emitters and organic dye emitters. 
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the quenchers further includes one of organic quenchers and inorganic quenchers. 
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 6  wherein each vesicle includes at least one molecular beacon having a quantum dot emitter and a gold nanoparticle quencher. 
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the means for detecting genetic material includes a fluorescent polymer that can form a complex with the genetic material. 
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the fluorescent polymer includes a polythiophene backbone. 
     
     
         11 . A method as claimed in  claim 2  wherein nanodroplet technology is utilized to encapsulate the means of detecting genetic material within the lipid membrane. 
     
     
         12 . A method as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the lipid membrane is asymmetric. 
     
     
         13 . A method as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the lipid membrane includes lipids and proteins. 
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the lipid membrane includes lipids and polymers. 
     
     
         15 . A method as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the lipid membrane is one of pH sensitive and temperature sensitive to enhance viral fusion. 
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the step of assembling receptors includes tailoring the receptors to detect conserved properties of virus. 
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the assembled receptors include transmembrane proteins. 
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the assembled receptors include ion channels. 
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the assembled receptors are surface receptors including one of carbohydrates, antibodies, and surface proteins. 
     
     
         20 . A method as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the assembled receptors are tailored to capture influenza virus by including sialic acid. 
     
     
         21 . A method as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the step of tailoring the receptors to detect influenza virus includes positioning the sialic acid on an outer surface of the membrane. 
     
     
         22 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the step of assembling receptors includes assembling cell surface receptors one of embedded in and attached to the membrane. 
     
     
         23 . A method as claimed in  claim 22  wherein the cell surface receptors include glycoproteins. 
     
     
         24 . A method of generating pathogen detecting liposomes comprising the steps of:
 providing a droplet generator with a carrier fluid inlet, a focusing fluid inlet, and an outlet for focusing fluid and droplets;   forming a carrier fluid including water and means for detecting genetic material and a focusing fluid including a solvent and lipids;   injecting the carrier fluid into the carrier fluid inlet and the focusing fluid into the focusing fluid inlet so as to form liposomes having means for detecting genetic material encapsulated within a lipid membrane; and   assembling receptors in association with the membrane.   
     
     
         25 . A method as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the liposomes are nanoparticles. 
     
     
         26 . A method as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the means of detecting genetic material includes means for hybridizing one of RNA and DNA. 
     
     
         27 . A method as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the means for hybridizing one of DNA and RNA includes a structure with a fluorescent emitter and a quencher that are in close proximity in the absence of analyte. 
     
     
         28 . A method as claimed in  claim 27  wherein the structure includes one of molecular beacons, stem loops, and a sandwich structure. 
     
     
         29 . A method as claimed in  claim 27  wherein the fluorescent emitter includes one of quantum dot emitters and organic dye emitters. 
     
     
         30 . A method as claimed in  claim 27  wherein the quencher further includes one of an organic quencher and an inorganic quencher. 
     
     
         31 . A method as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the means for detecting genetic material includes a fluorescent polymer that can form a complex with the genetic material. 
     
     
         32 . A method as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the step of assembling receptors includes tailoring the pathogen detecting liposome to detect influenza virus by including receptors containing sialic acid. 
     
     
         33 . A method as claimed in  claim 32  wherein the step of tailoring the pathogen detecting liposome to detect influenza virus includes positioning the sialic acid on an outer surface of the membrane. 
     
     
         34 . A method as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the step of assembling receptors includes assembling cell surface receptors one of embedded in and attached to the membrane. 
     
     
         35 . A method as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the cell surface receptors include glycoproteins. 
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . A method of collecting genetic material of pathogens comprising the steps of:
 providing a means of collecting genetic material;   encapsulating the means of collecting genetic material within a lipid membrane; and   assembling receptors in association with the membrane.   
     
     
         48 . A method of generating analyte detecting vesicles comprising the steps of:
 providing a means of detecting an analyte;   encapsulating the means of detecting the analyte within a membrane; and   assembling receptors in association with the membrane.   
     
     
         49 . The method as claimed in  claim 48  wherein the analyte includes one of DNA, RNA, peptides, proteins, antigens, toxins, small molecules. 
     
     
         50 . The method as claimed in  claim 48  wherein the means of detecting an analyte comprises generalized ligands which can bind the analyte to a fluorescent component for detection. 
     
     
         51 . The method as claimed in  claim 50  wherein the generalized ligands include antibodies.