Immobilisation of proteins by atomic clusters on surfaces

Structural investigation of supported Cun clusters under vacuum and ambient air conditions using EXAFS spectroscopy

Structural analysis of deposited nanoclusters using extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy.

Enhanced immobilization of gold nanoclusters on graphite

The immobilization of individual biological molecules by metal nanoparticles requires that the particles themselves be immobilized. We introduce a new technique for immobilization of gold clusters based on their binding to small tunnels in a graphite support, themselves created by the implantation of small clusters. These tunnels are shown to perform as more effective cluster immobilization sites than point defects on the surface of graphite. The method is tested with atomic force microscopy (AFM) (both contact and noncontact mode) scanning. Size-selected clusters with 923, 561, 309, and 147 atoms have been immobilized and imaged with high-resolution, noncontact AFM.

Size-dependent propagation of Au nanoclusters through few-layer graphene

We report the size-dependent propagation of gold nanoclusters through few-layer graphene (FLG). We employ aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) to track the fate of Au55 and Au923 clusters that have been deposited, independently and isoenergetically, onto suspended FLG films using cluster beam deposition. We demonstrate that Au55 clusters penetrate through the FLG, whereas the monodisperse Au923 clusters reside at the surface. Our approach offers a route to the controlled incorporation of dopant nanoparticles and the generation of nanoscale defects in graphene.

Selective protein immobilization onto gold nanoparticles deposited under vacuum on a protein-repellent self-assembled monolayer

The immobilization of proteins on flat substrates plays an important role for a wide spectrum of applications in the fields of biology, medicine, and biochemistry, among others. An essential prerequisite for the use of proteins (e.g., in biosensors) is the conservation of their biological activity. Losses in activity upon protein immobilization can largely be attributed to a random attachment of the proteins to the surface. In this study, we present an approach for the immobilization of proteins onto a chemically heterogeneous surface, namely a surface consisting of protein-permissive and protein-repellent areas, which allows for significant reduction of random protein attachment. As protein-permissive, i.e., as protein-binding sites, ultra pure metallic nanoparticles are deposited under vacuum onto a protein-repellent PEG-silane polymer layer. Using complementary surface characterization techniques (atomic force microscopy, quartz crystal microbalance, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) we demonstrate that the Au nanoparticles remain accessible for protein attachment without compromising the protein-repellency of the PEG-silane background. Moreover, we show that the amount of immobilized protein can be controlled by tuning the Au nanoparticle coverage. This method shows potential for applications requiring the control of protein immobilization down to the single molecule level.

Silver cluster-biomolecule hybrids: from basics towards sensors

We focus on the functional role of small silver clusters in model hybrid systems involving peptides in the context of a new generation of nanostructured materials for biosensing. The optical properties of hybrids in the gas phase and at support will be addressed with the aim to bridge fundamental and application aspects. We show that extension and enhancement of absorption of peptides can be achieved by small silver clusters due to the interaction of intense intracluster excitations with the π-π* excitations of chromophoric aminoacids. Moreover, we demonstrate that the binding of a peptide to a supported silver cluster can be detected by the optical fingerprint. This illustrates that supported silver clusters can serve as building blocks for biosensing materials. Moreover, the clusters can be used simultaneously to immobilize biomolecules and to increase the sensitivity of detection, thus replacing the standard use of organic dyes and providing label-free detection. Complementary to that, we show that protected silver clusters containing a cluster core and a shell liganded by thiolates exhibit absorption properties with intense transitions in the visible regime which are also suitable for biosensing applications.

Detection of label-free cancer biomarkers using nickel nanoislands and quartz crystal microbalance

We present a technique for the label-free detection and recognition of cancer biomarkers using metal nanoislands intended to be integrated in a novel type of nanobiosensor. His-tagged (scFv)-F7N1N2 is the antibody fragment which is directly immobilized, by coordinative bonds, onto ~5 nm nickel islands, then deposited on the surface of a quartz crystal of a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) to validate the technique. Biomarker GTPase RhoA was investigated because it has been found to be overexpressed in various tumors and because we have recently isolated and characterized a new conformational scFv which selectively recognizes the active form of RhoA. We implemented a surface chemistry involving an antibiofouling coating of polyethylene glycol silane (PEG-silane) (<2 nm thick) and Ni nanoislands to reach a label-free detection of the active antigen conformation of RhoA, at various concentrations. The methodology proposed here proves the viability of the concept by using Ni nanoislands as an anchoring surface layer enabling the detection of a specific conformation of a protein, identified as a potential cancer biomarker. Hence, this novel methodology can be transferred to a nanobiosensor to detect, at lower time consumption and with high sensitivity, specific biomolecules.

Protein microarrays: effective tools for the study of inflammatory diseases

Inflammation is a defense reaction of an organism against harmful stimuli such as tissue injury or infectious agents. The relationship between the infecting microorganism and the immune, inflammatory, and coagulation responses of the host is intricately intertwined. Due to its complex nature, the molecular mechanisms of inflammation are not yet understood in detail and additional diagnostic tools are required to clarify further aspects. In recent years, protein microarray-based research has moved from being technology-based to application-oriented. Protein microarrays are perfect tools for studying inflammatory diseases. High-density protein arrays enable new classes of autoantibodies, which cause autoimmune diseases, to be discovered. Protein arrays consisting of miniaturized multiplexed sandwich immunoassays allow the simultaneous expression analysis of dozens of signaling molecules such as the cytokines and chemokines involved in the regulation of the immune system. The data enable statements to be made on the status of the disease and its progression as well as support for the clinicians in choosing patient-specific treatment. This chapter reviews the technology and the applications of protein microarrays in diagnosing and monitoring inflammatory diseases.

A high resolution water soluble fullerene molecular resist for electron beam lithography

Traditionally, many lithography resists have used hazardous, environmentally damaging or flammable chemicals as casting solvent and developer. There is now a strong drive towards processes that are safer and more environmentally friendly. We report nanometre-scale patterning of a fullerene molecular resist film with electron beam lithography, using water as casting solvent and developer. Negative tone behaviour is demonstrated after exposure and development. The sensitivity of this resist to 20 keV electrons is 1.5 × 10(-2) C cm(-2). Arrays of lines with a width of 30-35 nm and pitches of 200 and 400 nm, and arrays of dots with a diameter of 40 nm and a pitch of 200 nm have been patterned at 30 keV. The etch durability of this resist was found to be ∼2 times that of a standard novolac based resist. Initial results of the chemical amplification of this material for enhanced sensitivity are also presented.

Progress in miniaturization of protein arrays--a step closer to high-density nanoarrays

Protein microarrays is a technology with great promise for high-throughput proteomics. Designing high-performance protein microarrays for global proteome analysis has, however, turned out to be challenging. To this end, major efforts are under way to design novel array formats capable of harboring the tremendous range of probes required to target complex proteomes composed of more than 10000 analytes. By adopting nanotechnology, the first generation of miniaturized nanoarrays has recently emerged, which opens up new avenues for global proteome analysis and disease proteomics. This review describes the progress and key issues in designing miniaturized protein arrays.