Urine nutrient detection using bacterial periplasmic binding proteins
This innovative solution utilizes bacterial periplasmic binding proteins (PBPs) to detect nutrients like thiamine, riboflavin, and vitamin B12 in urine. It offers a cost-effective and scalable alternative to traditional antibody-based assays, enhancing specificity and affordability.
Overview
The proposed solution leverages the unique properties of bacterial periplasmic binding proteins (PBPs) to create a highly specific and cost-effective platform for detecting water-soluble nutrients in urine. This innovative approach capitalizes on the natural affinity of PBPs for essential vitamins and ions, offering a scalable alternative to traditional antibody-based assays. The technology promises to simplify and reduce the cost of nutrient detection, making it accessible for widespread clinical and personal health monitoring applications.
Technical specifications
The technology employs PBPs produced by gram-negative bacteria, which are highly specific to analytes such as thiamine, riboflavin, and vitamin B12. These PBPs are overexpressed in Escherichia coli and integrated into lateral flow assays (LFAs) for nutrient detection. The process involves creating a conjugate of the target vitamin, which is immobilized onto a signaling reagent or lateral flow membrane, ensuring recognition by the PBP. Initial testing in microplate formats helps screen for interferences in urine, optimizing the assay's performance in real-world conditions.
Technology readiness level
The current development stage of this technology is at TRL 4, indicating that the solution has been validated in the laboratory. The researchers have already achieved proof-of-concept for a thiamine lateral flow assay and plan to extend this technique to other nutrients. The next steps include further optimization and testing in urine samples, aiming for a complete development within one year for thiamine-specific assays and an additional six months for other nutrients.
About Binghamton University
Binghamton University is a large, comprehensive public research university in the State University of New York system. Industry collaborates on campus through an advanced technologies complex with shared labs and prototyping facilities, and a health sciences campus adjacent to regional hospital partners. A downtown incubator and maker spaces connect faculty and startups with suppliers and manufacturing in New York’s Southern Tier, while co-op and internship pathways build talent pipelines for corporate R&D. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NSF, NIH, DOE, and DoD, with additional state and industry sponsorship. A dedicated technology transfer office streamlines IP protection, licensing, and startup formation.
Inquire about this partnering listing
Industry applications
delivered to your inbox.