US 12,270,066 B2
Method to sense the presence and activity of microbes through the use of transient sensing materials
Madhur Atreya, Louisville, CO (US); Gabrielle Marinick, Phoenix, AZ (US); and Gregory Whiting, Boulder, CO (US)
Assigned to THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, A BODY CORPORATE, Denver, CO (US)
Appl. No. 18/040,418
Filed by THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, A BODY CORPORATE, Denver, CO (US)
PCT Filed Jul. 30, 2021, PCT No. PCT/US2021/044062
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Feb. 2, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/031558, PCT Pub. Date Feb. 10, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/060,463, filed on Aug. 3, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0212636 A1, Jul. 6, 2023
Int. Cl. C12Q 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC C12Q 1/001 (2013.01) 29 Claims
 
1. A sensor configured for measuring enzyme activity corresponding to true in situ enzyme activity levels, the sensor comprising:
a degradable conductive trace that includes
a first terminal end, a second terminal end, and an intermediate section disposed between the first and second terminal ends, the intermediate section including conductive particles disposed therein,
a biodegradable target configured to enable the conductive trace, in an initial state, to conduct electrical current between the first and second terminal ends via the conductive particles, and
wherein at least the intermediate section is configured to degrade over time as a result of in situ enzymatic activity of a target microorganism or group of microorganisms that degrades the biodegradable target when the sensor is placed in a measurement environment, the enzymatic activity thereby increasing resistance between the first and second terminal ends,
wherein at least the intermediate section omits overlying layers such that the biodegradable target is directly exposed to the target microorganism or group of microorganisms when placed in the measurement environment; and
a support upon which the conductive trace is disposed.