Surface modification for direct immunoprobes

Stannous Chloride-Modified Glass Substrates for Biomolecule Immobilization: Development of Label-Free Interferometric Sensor Chips for Highly Sensitive Detection of Aflatoxin B1 in Corn

This study presents the development of stannous chloride (SnCl2)-modified glass substrates for biomolecule immobilization and their application in fabricating sensor chips for label-free interferometric biosensors. The glass modification process was optimized, identifying a 5% SnCl2 concentration, a 45 min reaction time, and a 150 °C drying temperature as conditions for efficient protein immobilization. Based on the SnCl2-modified glass substrates and label-free spectral-phase interferometry, a biosensor was developed for the detection of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-a highly toxic and carcinogenic contaminant in agricultural products. The biosensor realizes a competitive immunoassay of a remarkable detection limit as low as 26 pg/mL of AFB1, and a five-order dynamic range. The biosensor performance was validated using real corn flour samples contaminated with Aspergillus flavus. The proposed approach not only provides a powerful tool for AFB1 detection for food safety monitoring but also demonstrates the potential of SnCl2-modified substrates as a versatile platform for the development of next-generation biosensors.

Blocking Nonspecific Interactions Using Y-Shape Poly(ethylene glycol)

Nonspecific interactions play a significant role in physiological activities, surface chemical modification, and artificial adhesives. However, nonspecificity sometimes causes sticky problems, including surface fouling, decreased target specificity, and artifacts in single-molecule measurements. Adjusting the liquid pH, using protein-blocking additives, adding nonionic surfactants, or increasing the salt concentration are common methods to minimize nonspecific binding to achieve high-quality data. Here, we report that grafting heteromorphic polyethylene glycol (Y-shape PEG) with two inert terminates could noticeably decrease nonspecific binding. As a proof-of-concept, we performed single-molecule force spectroscopy and fluorescence staining imaging experiments to verify the feasibility of Y-shape PEG in blocking nonspecific interactions. Our results indicate that Y-shape PEG could serve as a prominent and efficient candidate to minimize nonspecificity for scientific and biomedical applications.

Immunoaffinity extraction followed by enzymatic digestion for the isolation and identification of proteins employing automated μSPE reactors and mass spectrometry

This work describes a novel automated and rapid method for bottom-up proteomics combining protein isolation with a micro-immobilised enzyme reactor (IMER). Crosslinking chemistry based on 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide/N-hydroxysuccinimide (EDC/NHS) coupling was exploited to immobilise trypsin and antibodies onto customisable silica particles coated with carboxymethylated dextran (CMD). This novel silica-CMD solid-phase extraction material was characterised using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), conductometric titrations and enzymatic colorimetric assays. Micro-solid-phase extraction (μSPE) cartridges equipped with the modified CMD material were employed and integrated into an automated and repeatable workflow using a sample preparation workstation to achieve rapid and repeatable protein isolation and pre-concentration, followed by tryptic digestion producing peptide fragments that were identified by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS).

Critical assessment of relevant methods in the field of biosensors with direct optical detection based on fibers and waveguides using plasmonic, resonance, and interference effects

Direct optical detection has proven to be a highly interesting tool in biomolecular interaction analysis to be used in drug discovery, ligand/receptor interactions, environmental analysis, clinical diagnostics, screening of large data volumes in immunology, cancer therapy, or personalized medicine. In this review, the fundamental optical principles and applications are reviewed. Devices are based on concepts such as refractometry, evanescent field, waveguides modes, reflectometry, resonance and/or interference. They are realized in ring resonators; prism couplers; surface plasmon resonance; resonant mirror; Bragg grating; grating couplers; photonic crystals, Mach-Zehnder, Young, Hartman interferometers; backscattering; ellipsometry; or reflectance interferometry. The physical theories of various optical principles have already been reviewed in detail elsewhere and are therefore only cited. This review provides an overall survey on the application of these methods in direct optical biosensing. The "historical" development of the main principles is given to understand the various, and sometimes only slightly modified variations published as "new" methods or the use of a new acronym and commercialization by different companies. Improvement of optics is only one way to increase the quality of biosensors. Additional essential aspects are the surface modification of transducers, immobilization strategies, selection of recognition elements, the influence of non-specific interaction, selectivity, and sensitivity. Furthermore, papers use for reporting minimal amounts of detectable analyte terms such as value of mass, moles, grams, or mol/L which are difficult to compare. Both these essential aspects (i.e., biochemistry and the presentation of LOD values) can be discussed only in brief (but references are provided) in order to prevent the paper from becoming too long. The review will concentrate on a comparison of the optical methods, their application, and the resulting bioanalytical quality.

Silanization of Sapphire Surfaces for Optical Sensing Applications

Well-characterized silane layers are essential for optimized attachment of (bio)molecules enabling reliable chem/biosensor performance. Herein, binding properties and orientation of 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane layers at crystalline sapphire (0001) surfaces were determined by water contact angle measurements, infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy measurements suggest an almost perpendicular arrangement of the MPTMS molecules to the substrate surface. Adhesion force studies between a silicon nitride AFM tip and modified sapphire, gold, and silicon dioxide substrates were investigated by peak force tapping atomic force microscopy and used to define the silane binding properties on these surfaces. As expected, the Al-O-Si bond was determined to be responsible for the layer formation at the sapphire substrate surface.

Aptamer-Based Technologies in Foodborne Pathogen Detection

Aptamers are single stranded DNA or RNA ligands, which can be selected by a method called systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX); and they can specifically recognize and bind to their targets. These unique characteristics of aptamers offer great potentials in applications such as pathogen detection and biomolecular screening. Pathogen detection is the critical means in detecting and identifying the problems related to public health and food safety; and only the rapid, sensitive and efficient detection technologies can enable the users to make the accurate assessments on the risks of infections (humans and animals) or contaminations (foods and other commodities) caused by various pathogens. This article reviews the development in the field of the aptamer-based approaches for pathogen detection, including whole-cell SELEX and Genomic SELEX. Nowadays, a variety of aptamer-based biosensors have been developed for pathogen detection. Thus, in this review, we also cover the development in aptamer-based biosensors including optical biosensors for multiple pathogen detection by multiple-labeling or label-free models such as fluorescence detection and surface plasmon resonance, electrochemical biosensors and lateral chromatography test strips, and their applications in pathogen detection and biomolecular screening. While notable progress has been made in the field in the last decade, challenges or drawbacks in their applications such as pathogen detection and biomolecular screening remain to be overcome.

Transducer-Based Approaches for Parallel Binding Assays in HTS

In this contribution, we report on first results from transducer-based approaches in drug screening. Microelectrodes were used for a competitive binding assay with a redox-labeled reference compound. Changes in the electrode current arise from the different mobility of bound and free reference compound. An electrode comb can be used to test a microtiter plate row by row. Detectable concentrations are below 1 μM. Quartz microbalances, surface plasmon resonance, and reflectometric interference spectroscopy were used in heterogeneous phase binding inhibition assays. The binding of target molecules to an immobilized reference structure is detected without use of a label. Specific binding and binding inhibition by a test substance can be detected at concentrations of 100 nM and below. The interaction of thrombin with a thrombin inhibitor was used as a model system. Parallel detection can be achieved by arraying individual electro-chemical and microbalance devices or by a spectroscopic imaging approach for the optical transducers. Sample throughput up to 106 samples per year is possible. The potential for further improvement of performances is discussed.

Evaluation of Solid Supports for Slide- and Well-Based Recombinant Antibody Microarrays

Antibody microarrays have emerged as an important tool within proteomics, enabling multiplexed protein expression profiling in both health and disease. The design and performance of antibody microarrays and how they are processed are dependent on several factors, of which the interplay between the antibodies and the solid surfaces plays a central role. In this study, we have taken on the first comprehensive view and evaluated the overall impact of solid surfaces on the recombinant antibody microarray design. The results clearly demonstrated the importance of the surface-antibody interaction and showed the effect of the solid supports on the printing process, the array format of planar arrays (slide- and well-based), the assay performance (spot features, reproducibility, specificity and sensitivity) and assay processing (degree of automation). In the end, two high-end recombinant antibody microarray technology platforms were designed, based on slide-based (black polymer) and well-based (clear polymer) arrays, paving the way for future large-scale protein expression profiling efforts.

Point-of-Need bioanalytics based on planar optical interferometry

This review brings about a comprehensive presentation of the research on interferometric transducers, which have emerged as extremely promising candidates for viable, truly-marketable solutions for PoN applications due to the attested performance that has reached down to 10(-8) in term of effective refractive index changes. The review explores the operation of the various interferometric architectures along with their design, fabrication, and analytical performance aspects. The issues of biosensor functionalization and immobilization of receptors are also addressed. As a conclusion, the comparison among them is attempted in order to delve into and acknowledge their current limitations, and define the future trends.

Ultrasensitive label-free immunoassay for optical determination of amitriptyline and related tricyclic antidepressants in human serum

The present work focuses on the development of a label-free and ultrasensitive immunoassay for the detection of the drug amitriptyline in human serum. Reflectometric interference spectroscopy is used as the detection method, providing a simple, but highly sensitive optical setup. Amitriptyline is a common antidepressant; however, it has a small therapeutic window and can cause severe side effects in case of wrong dosage. Therefore, it is highly recommended for therapeutic drug monitoring to control the drug level. The limit of detection for this optical immunosensor was determined in buffer (0.3 μg/L) and in human serum (0.5 μg/L). It has become evident that this assay can compete with HPLC measurements. For drug concentrations at a normal level or above, the sample can be diluted up to 1:100. Especially for limited sample volumes, this is a great advantage. The sensor surface shows very high stability, and together with the regeneration solution 80 measurement cycles can be performed on each transducer chip. Cross-reactivity experiments indicate that a sum determination of several tricyclic antidepressants is possible.

Size does matter! Label-free detection of small molecule-protein interaction

This review is focused on methods for detecting small molecules and, in particular, the characterisation of their interaction with natural proteins (e.g. receptors, ion channels). Because there are intrinsic advantages to using label-free methods over labelled methods (e.g. fluorescence, radioactivity), this review only covers label-free techniques. We briefly discuss available techniques and their advantages and disadvantages, especially as related to investigating the interaction between small molecules and proteins. The reviewed techniques include well-known and widely used standard analytical methods (e.g. HPLC-MS, NMR, calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction), newer and more specialised analytical methods (e.g. biosensors), biological systems (e.g. cell lines and animal models), and in-silico approaches.

A novel approach to prepare polymer mixed-brushes via single crystal surface patterning

Single crystals having matrix-dispersed surface morphologies were prepared and characterized.

Yeast surface display-based microfluidic immunoassay

In this paper, we present a new microfluidic immunoassay platform, which is based on the synergistic combination of the yeast surface display (YSD) technique and the microfluidic technology. Utilizing the YSD technique, antigens specific to the target antibody are displayed on the surface of engineered yeast cells with intracellular fluorescent proteins. The displayed antigens are then used for the detection of the target antibody, with the yeast cells as fluorescent labels. Multiplex immunoassay can be readily realized by using yeast cells expressing different intracellular fluorescent proteins to display different antigens. The implementation of this YSD-based immunoassay on the microfluidic platform eliminates the need for the bulky, complex and expensive flow cytometer. To improve the detection sensitivity and to eliminate the need for pumping, a functionalized micro pillar array (MPA) is incorporated in the microfluidic chip, resulting in a detection limit of 5 ng/mL (or 1 ng in terms of amount) and enhanced compatibility with practical applications such as clinical biopsy. This new platform has a high potential to be integrated into microfluidic detection systems to enable portable diagnostics in the future.

Polymeric dual-slab waveguide interferometer for biochemical sensing applications

A polymer based dual-slab waveguide Young's interferometer was demonstrated for biochemical sensing. Evanescent field is utilized for probing the binding events of biomolecules on the waveguide surface. Refractive index sensing in analyte and protein adsorption on the sensing surface were investigated with glucose de-ionized water solution and bovine serum albumin, immunoglobulin G solutions in phosphate buffered saline buffer. A detection limit of 10(-5) RIU and 4 pg/mm(2) was achieved for homogeneous and surface sensing, respectively. Also, the influence of water absorption inside the polymeric device on the measurement stability was evaluated. The results indicate that the waveguide polymer sensor fabricated with the spin coating technique can achieve a satisfactory sensitivity for homogeneous refractive index sensing and, as well, for monitoring molecular binding events on the surface.

A biomimetic sensor surface to detect anti-β2-glycoprotein-I antibodies as a marker for antiphospholipid syndrome

A biomimetic sensor has been developed, that allows for quantification of autoantibodies related to the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Autoantibodies directed against the β(2)-glycoprotein-I (β(2)GP-I) are known as the best markers for diagnosis of APS, however, detection of such antibodies is still a challenge. The epitopes of β(2)GP-I are exposed upon binding to negatively charged membranes. The surface of the sensor chips was therefore modified with such type of membranes, on which β(2)GP-I molecules were subsequently immobilized as recognition elements. Using the label-free method, reflectometric interference spectroscopy, it was possible to quantify anti-β(2)GP-I antibodies and to calibrate the sensor chip in buffer. A mild regeneration procedure allows for many consecutive measurements without stripping off the membrane in between.

Reflectometric interference spectroscopy (RIfS) as a new tool to measure in the complex matrix milk at low analyte concentration

Measurements in complex matrices like milk still present a challenge in biosensor development. This is especially important when using a label-free detection method or when measuring low analyte concentrations. The direct optical method reflectometric interference spectroscopy (RIfS) was used for investigating matrix effects in immunoassay development. Furthermore, approaches to reduce these effects have been established. As a model system, the hormone testosterone has been chosen because this immunoassay has been well characterized in buffer. In a first step, the immunoassay for the detection of testosterone in buffer was improved beyond former published results. Therefore, the sensor surface was optimized, resulting in a fivefold lower limit of detection (70.2 ng L(-1)) and limit of quantification (130.0 ng L(-1)). Additionally, the assay time could be reduced to 15 min. Consequently, we used this improved assay to investigate matrix effects of whole pasteurized bovine milk. To minimize these effects, the surface chemistry was adapted and a suitable evaluation method was established, reducing the effects of Tyndall scattering and nonspecific binding to the sensor surface. These improvements allow for very reliable quantitative measurements in milk. The assay developed required no sample pretreatment and allowed for the regeneration of the sensor surface so that calibration could be performed on one chip. The calibration in milk (3.5% fat) resulted in a limit of detection of 94.4 ng L(-1) and a limit of quantification of 229.3 ng L(-1). Furthermore, recovery rates between 70% and 120% could be obtained. Thus, for the first time, an analyte in the matrix milk was successfully quantified with RIfS at low concentrations.

A new assay design for clinical diagnostics based on alternative recognition elements

Herein, we present a new sandwich assay design containing a high affinity polypeptide scaffold as immobilized capture element and an antibody for detection. These polypeptide scaffolds provide a good affinity towards one antigen and can be linked to biosensor surfaces without affecting their binding capabilities. Furthermore, the small peptides are very stable, which allows for regenerating the surface several hundreds of times and thus for reuse of the biosensor. Moreover, these receptors can be synthesized with different affinities towards one antigen, which has been proven by characterizing them using a label-free detection method RIfS (reflectometric interference spectroscopy) for collecting kinetic data. Polypeptide scaffolds with different affinities have been chosen and characterized. Upon these results, sandwich-type assays have been set-up using a fluorescently labelled antibody as detection element. Thereby could be shown, that the working range of the assay can be shifted according to the affinity of the used capturing polypeptide scaffold. The scaffolds with a higher affinity towards the antigen can detect lower concentration, and in contrary, scaffolds with lower affinities can detect higher concentrations. In consequence, using this new sandwich-type assay, we avoid the complex procedure to immobilize antibodies in correct orientation, but simultaneously keep this well-known recognition element in the assay for detection. Furthermore, in addition to all the acknowledged properties of immunoassays, we add the possibility of tuning the working range of assays in distinct manner according to request.

Protein quantification in complex mixtures by solid phase single-molecule counting

Here we present a procedure for quantifying single protein molecules affixed to a surface by counting bound antibodies. We systematically investigate many of the parameters that have prevented the robust single-molecule detection of surface-immobilized proteins. We find that a chemically adsorbed bovine serum albumin surface facilitates the efficient detection of single target molecules with fluorescent antibodies, and we show that these antibodies bind for lengths of time sufficient for imaging billions of individual protein molecules. This surface displays a low level of nonspecific protein adsorption so that bound antibodies can be directly counted without employing two-color coincidence detection. We accurately quantify protein abundance by counting bound antibody molecules and perform this robustly in real-world serum samples. The number of antibody molecules we quantify relates linearly to the number of immobilized protein molecules (R(2) = 0.98), and our precision (1-5% CV) facilitates the reliable detection of small changes in abundance (7%). Thus, our procedure allows for single, surface-immobilized protein molecules to be detected with high sensitivity and accurately quantified by counting bound antibody molecules. Promisingly, we can probe flow cells multiple times with antibodies, suggesting that in the future it should be possible to perform multiplexed single-molecule immunoassays.

Affinity analysis for biomolecular interactions based on magneto-optical relaxation measurements

Magneto-optical relaxation measurements of magnetically labelled biomolecules are a promising tool for immunometric analyses. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and its polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies (anti-CEA) were utilized as a model system for affinity analysis of the interaction between antibody and antigen. For this purpose antibodies were coupled with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). Aggregation of these antibody sensors due to interactions with the CEA was observed subsequently by measuring the relaxation time of the birefringence of a transmitted laser beam that occurs in a pulsed magnetic field. A kinetic model of chain-like aggregation developed for these purposes enables the rapid and simple calculation of the kinetic parameters of the underlying protein interaction. From the known antigen concentration and the increase in particle size during the interaction we are able to estimate the unknown parameters with standard methods for the statistical description of stepwise polymerization. This novel affinity analysis was successfully applied for the antigen-antibody interaction described herein and can be applied to other biomolecular interactions. First efforts have been made to establish magneto-optical relaxation measurements in body fluids.

Characterisation of morphology of self-assembled PEG monolayers: a comparison of mixed and pure coatings optimised for biosensor applications

For detection of low concentrations of analytes in complex biological matrices using optical biosensors, a high surface loading with capture molecules and a low nonspecific binding of nonrelevant matrix molecules are essential. To tailor biosensor surfaces in such a manner, poly(ethylene glycols) (PEG) in varying lengths were immobilised covalently onto glass-type surfaces in different mixing ratios and concentrations, and were subsequently modified with three different kinds of receptors. The nonspecific binding of a model protein (ovalbumin, OVA) and the maximum loading of the respective analytes to these prepared surfaces were monitored using label-free and time-resolved reflectometric interference spectroscopy (RIfS). The three different analytes used varied in size: 150 kDa for the anti-atrazine antibody, 60 kDa for streptavidin and 5 kDa for the 15-bp oligonucleotide. We investigated if the mixing of PEG in different lengths could increase the surface loadings of analyte mimicking a three-dimensional matrix as was found using dextrans as sensor coatings. In addition, the effect on the surface loading was investigated with regard to the size of the analyte molecule using such mixed PEGs on the sensor surface. For further characterisation of the surface coatings, polarisation modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and ellipsometry were applied.

Porous silicon surfaces: a candidate substrate for reverse protein arrays in cancer biomarker detection

This paper introduces a new substrate for reverse-phase protein microarray applications based on macroporous silicon. A key feature of the microarray substrate is the vastly surface enlarging properties of the porous silicon, which simultaneously offers highly confined microarray spots. The proof of principle of the reverse array concept was demonstrated in the detection of different levels of cyclin E, a possible cancer biomarker candidate which regulates G1-S transition and correlates with poor prognosis in different types of human cancers. The substrate properties were studied performing analysis of total cyclin E expression in human colon cancer cell lines Hct116 and SW480. The absence of unspecific binding and good microarray quality was demonstrated. In order to verify the performance of the 3-D textured macroporous surface for complex biological samples, lysates of the human tissue spiked to different levels with cell extract overproducing cyclin E (Hct116) were arrayed on the chip surface. The samples were spotted in a noncontact mode in 100 pL droplets with spots sizes ranged between 50 and 70 mum and spot-to-spot center distances 100 mum, allowing microarray spot densities up to 14 000 spots per cm(2). The different sample types of increasing complexities did not have any impact on the spot intensities recorded and the protein spots showed good homogeneity and reproducibility over the recorded microarrays. The data demonstrate the potential use of macroporous silicon as a substrate for quantitative determination of a cancer biomarker cyclin E in tissue lysates.

Strategies for label-free optical detection

A large number of methods using direct detection with label-free systems are known. They compete with the well-introduced fluorescence-based methods. However, recent applications take advantage of label-free detection in protein-protein interactions, high-throughput screening, and high-content screening. These new applications require new strategies for biosensors. It becomes more and more obvious that neither the transduction principle nor the recognition elements for the biomolecular interaction process alone determine the quality of the biosensor. Accordingly, the biosensor system has to be considered as a whole. This chapter focuses on strategies to optimize the detection platform and the biomolecular recognition layer. It concentrates on direct detection methods, with special focus on optical transduction. Since even this restriction still leaves a large number of methods, only microrefractometric and microreflectometric methods using planar transducers have been selected for a detailed description and a listing of applications. However, since many review articles on the physical principles exist, the description is kept short. Other methods are just mentioned in brief and for comparison. The outlook and the applications demonstrate the future perspectives of direct optical detection in bioanalytics.

Poly(ethylene glycol) gradient for biochip development

A novel method of producing a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based gradient matrix that varies gradually in thickness from 0 to 500 A over a distance of 5-20 mm is presented. The gradient matrix is graft copolymerized from a mixture of PEG methacrylates onto organic thin films providing free radical polymerization sites initiated by UV irradiation at 254 nm. The films used as grafting platforms consist of either a spin-coated cycloolefin polymer or a self-assembled monolayer on planar gold. The thickness/irradiation gradient is realized by means of a moving shutter that slowly uncovers the modified gold substrate. The structural and functional characteristics of the gradient matrix are investigated with respect to thickness profile, degree of carboxylation, and subsequent immobilization of two model proteins of different sizes and shapes. These characteristics are studied with ellipsometry and infrared reflection-absorption microscopy using a grazing angle objective. It is revealed that the relatively small carboxylation agent used offers homogeneous activation throughout the gradient, even in the thick areas, whereas the diffusion/interpenetration and subsequent immobilization of large proteins is partially hindered. This is crucial information in biosensor design that can be easily obtained from a gradient experiment on a single sample. Moreover, the partially hindered protein interpenetration, the marginal swelling upon hydration, and the unspecific nature of the graft polymerization suggest a matrix growth mechanism that favors the formation of a bushlike polymer structure with a certain degree of cross linking.

Diet-derived polyphenol metabolite enterolactone is a tissue-specific estrogen receptor activator

Numerous dietary compounds can modify gene expression by binding to the members of the nuclear receptor superfamily of transcription factors. For example, dietary polyphenols, such as soy isoflavones genistein and daidzein, modulate the activity of the estrogen receptors (ERs)-alpha and ERbeta. An additional class of dietary polyphenols that modulate cellular signaling pathways are lignans, compounds that are common constituents of Western diets. In this study, we show that a metabolite of dietary lignans, enterolactone, at physiological concentrations, activates ER-mediated transcription in vitro with preference for ERalpha. The effects of enterolactone are mediated by the ER ligand binding domain and are susceptible to antiestrogen treatment. Furthermore, the affinity of enterolactone toward ERalpha, measured by a novel ligand binding assay, is augmented in cell culture conditions. Moreover, our results demonstrate for the first time that enterolactone has estrogenic activity in vivo. In transgenic estrogen-sensitive reporter mice, enterolactone induces tissue-specific estrogen-responsive reporter gene expression as well as promotes uterine stromal edema and expression of estrogen-responsive endogenous genes (CyclinD1 and Ki67). Taken together, our data show that enterolactone is a selective ER agonist inducing ER-mediated transcription both in vitro in different cell lines and in vivo in the mouse uterus.

Potential of label-free detection in high-content-screening applications

The classical approach of high-content screening (HCS) is based on multiplexed, functional cell-based screening and combines several analytical technologies that have been used before separately to achieve a better level of automation (scale-up) and higher throughput. New HCS methods will help to overcome the bottlenecks, e.g. in the present development chain for lead structures for the pharmaceutical industry or during the identification and validation process of new biomarkers. In addition, there is a strong need in analytical and bioanalytical chemistry for functional high-content assays which can be provided by different hyphenated techniques. This review discusses the potential of a label-free optical biosensor based on reflectometric interference spectroscopy (RIfS) as a bridging technology for different HCS approaches. Technical requirements of RIfS are critically assessed by means of selected applications and compared to the performance characteristics of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) which is currently the leading technology in the area of label-free optical biosensors.

The surface modification of stainless steel and the correlation between the surface properties and protein adsorption

Protein adsorption on a biomaterial surface is of great importance as it usually induces unfavorable biological cascades, with the result that much surface modification research has had to be performed in an effort to prevent this. In this study, we developed surface modification methods for stainless steel, which is a representative metal for biomedical device. The stainless steels were first smoothened to different extents by electropolishing, in order to obtain a rough or smooth surface. On these two kinds of substrates, we introduced epoxide groups to the metal surface by silanization with 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTS). Then, various polymers such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(tetrahydrofuran glycol) (PTG), poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) were grafted on the silanized stainless steels. Each surface modification step was confirmed by various analytical methods. Contact angle measurement revealed that the surface hydrophilicity was controllable by polymer grafting. Root-mean-square (RMS) data of atomic force microscopy showed that surface roughness was dramatically changed by electropolishing. Based on these results, the correlation between surface properties and protein adsorption was investigated. In the protein adsorption study, we observed that all of the polymer-grafted stainless steels exhibited lower protein adsorption, when compared with bare stainless steel. Moreover, a hydrophilic and smooth surface was found to be the best of choice for decreasing the protein adsorption.

Sweet brushes and dirty proteins

We studied the protein repellency of dextran brushes. Dextran was grafted to a polystyrene surface in a broad range of grafting densities using polystyrene-dextran block copolymers and the Langmuir-Blodgett deposition technique. Ellipsometry measurements confirmed a successful transfer of the dextran brush from the air-water interface to the polystyrene surface. Water contact-angle measurements validated the presence of the dextran layer at the surface. At grafting densities <0.20 nm, a heterogeneous dextran coating is detected with tapping mode AFM, consisting of aggregates of polystyrene-dextran and relatively large interstitial areas without dextran chains. This is probably due to surface micellization of the block copolymer in the Langmuir-Blodgett procedure. At grafting densities ≥0.20 nm, a homogeneous dextran brush is observed. Adsorption studies of BSA and trypsin, using optical reflectometry, showed that adsorbed amounts at the heterogeneous coating (<0.20 nm) is only slightly lower, if at all, than at the bare polystyrene surface. Beyond 0.20 nm, a drastic decrease in adsorbed amount was observed, due to excluded volume interactions between the protein and the homogeneous dextran brush. Almost complete protein repellency could be reached at high grafting densities. Comparison with adsorption studies of PEO brushes indicated that dextran brushes do not outperform PEO brushes in suppressing protein adsorption.

Reduction of the nonspecific binding of a target antibody and of its enzyme-labeled detection probe enabling electrochemical immunoassay of an antibody through the 7 pg/ml-100 ng/mL (40 fM-400 pM) range

We describe a simple, potentially low-cost, amperometric, enzyme-amplified, sandwich-type immunoassay, monitoring IgG at a concentration as low as approximately 7 pg/mL with a dynamic range of 10(4). The assay utilizes a screen-printed carbon electrode on which a redox hydrogel and avidin are co-electrodeposited. To neutralize nonspecifically binding positively charged microdomains of the avidin, two polyanions, poly(acrylic acid-co-maleic acid) and poly(acrylic acid), are applied. These polyanions bind to the film not only electrostatically but also by Michael addition reaction to cysteine, lysine, or arginine functions of the avidin. The electrode is then made specific for the analyte, for which rabbit IgG was chosen, by conjugating the film-bound avidin to biotin-labeled anti-rabbit IgG. After exposure to the tested solution and capture of rabbit IgG, the sandwich is completed by conjugation of horseradish-peroxidase (HRP)-labeled anti-rabbit IgG. Electrical contact between the HRP and the electrode-bound hydrogel results in the formation of an electrocatalyst for the electroreduction of H2O2 to water. The application of the poly(acrylic acid-co-maleic acid) and the poly(acrylic acid) reduces the nonspecific adsorption-associated noise, lowers the detection limit from 3 ng/mL (approximately 20 pM analyte antibody concentration) to approximately 7 pg/mL (approximately 40 fM analyte antibody concentration), and also expands the dynamic range to 10(4).

Porous silicon protein microarray technology and ultra-/superhydrophobic states for improved bioanalytical readout

One attractive method for monitoring biomolecular interactions in a highly parallel fashion is the use of microarrays. Protein microarray technology is an emerging and promising tool for protein analysis, which ultimately may have a large impact in clinical diagnostics, drug discovery studies and basic protein research. This chapter is based upon several original papers presenting our effort in the development of new protein microarray chip technology. The work describes a novel 3D surface/platform for protein characterization based on porous silicon. The simple adjustment of pore morphology and geometry offers a convenient way to control wetting behavior of the microarray substrates. In this chapter, an interesting insight into the surface role in bioassays performance is made. The up-scaled fabrication of the novel porous chips is demonstrated and stability of the developed supports as well as the fluorescent bioassay reproducibility and data quality issues are addressed. We also describe the efforts made by our group to link protein microarrays to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), suggesting porous silicon as a convenient platform for fast on-surface protein digestion protocols linked to MS-readout. The fabrication of ultra- and superhydrophobic states on porous silicon is also described and the utilization of these water-repellent properties for a new microscaled approach to superhydrophobic MALDI-TOF MS target anchor chip is covered.

Surface modification on microfluidic devices with 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymers for reducing unfavorable protein adsorption

Surface modification of polymer materials for preparing microfluidic devices including poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) was investigated with phospholipids polymers such as poly(2-methacryloyloxylethyl phosphorylcholine(MPC)-co-n-butyl methacrylate) (PMB) and poly(MPC-co-2-ethylhexyl methacrylate-co-2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PMED). The hydrophilicity of every surface on the polymer materials modified with these MPC polymers increased and the value of zeta-potential became close to zero. The protein adsorption on the polymer materials with and without the surface modification was evaluated using a protein mixture of human plasma fibrinogen and serum albumin. Amount of proteins adsorbed on these polymeric materials showed significant reduction by the surface modification with the MPC polymers compared to the uncoated surfaces ranging from 56 to 90%. Furthermore, we successfully prepared PDMS-based microchannel which was modified by simple coating with the PMB and PMED. The modified microchannel also revealed a significant reduction of adsorption of serum albumin. We conclude that the MPC polymers are useful for reducing unfavorable protein adsorption on microfluidic devices.