MINIATURIZED IN VITRO PROTEIN EXPRESSION ARRAY

摘要

Detection of inhibition of biological synthesis of pre-characterized proteins indicates presence of a toxic analyte. The sensor array comprises an array of units; each unit is for expression of one protein and thus functions as one sensor. The sensor array expresses a group of pre-characterized proteins in different expression system, thus the response pattern (or signature) of an analyte due to different inhibitory effects is registered and used as a tool for detection and identification. New agents are identified by comparing the response pattern with signatures of known agents in a pre-collected database. The protein synthesis array device also functions as surrogate cells, which can be used for systematic and quantitative studies of the interplay among a large number of the constituents in a biological cell, for studying molecular responses to toxins, and for search for the therapeutic targets.