Surface plasmon resonance-based immunosensor with oriented immobilized antibody fragments on a mixed self-assembled monolayer for the determination of staphylococcal enterotoxin B

An immunosensor based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) with a mixed self-assembled monolayer (SAM) was developed to determine staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). The SAM on a gold surface was fabricated by adsorbing a mixture of 16-mercapto-1-hexadecanoic acid (16-MHA) and hexanethiol at various molar ratios. Initially, full-length anti-SEB was randomly immobilized onto the SAM to form the immunosensing surface. Through optimization of surface functionalization and anti-SEB immobilization, the SPR sensors can be applied to the determination of SEB in a linear range of 0.01?~?1.0 μg.mL^?1. Furthermore, a smaller antibody fragment (F(ab)’) was generated and immobilized randomly (via amino groups) or in an oriented manner (via ?SH groups) to form the immunosensing surface. The oriented immobilization of F(ab)’ led to a 50% increase in the antigen binding efficiency compared to randomly immobilized covalent F(ab’) fragments. The resulting calibration curve showed higher sensitivity. In addition, the specificity and applicability of the proposed immunosensor to milk samples were also demonstrated. Furthermore, the sensor can be regenerated using 0.1 M HCl, and 70% of the initial response was maintained over 3 cycles.     

Biotin-streptavidin-induced aggregation of gold nanorods: tuning rod-rod orientation

We report herein biotin-streptavidin-mediated aggregation studies of long gold nanorods. We have previously demonstrated end-to-end linkages of gold nanorods driven by the biotin-streptavidin interaction (Caswell et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2003, 125, 13914). In that report, the specific binding of biotin disulfide to the gold nanorod edges was achieved due to the preferred binding of thiol molecules to the Au[111] surface (gold nanorod ends) as opposed to the gold nanorod side faces. This led to the end-end linkage of gold nanorods upon subsequent addition of streptavidin. In this report we demonstrate a simple procedure to biotinylate the entire gold nanorod surface and subsequently form a 3-D assembly by addition of streptavidin. Gold nanorods were synthesized by the three-step seeding protocol documented in our previous articles. The surface of gold nanorods was further modified by a layer of a weak polyelectrolyte, poly(acrylic acid), PAA. A biotin molecule which has an amine group at one end (biotin-PEO-amine) was anchored to the carboxylic acid group of the polyelectrolyte using the well-known carbodiimide chemistry. This process biotinylates the entire gold nanorod surface. Addition of streptavidin further leads to aggregation of gold nanorods. A closer look at the aggregates reveals a preferential side-to-side assembly of gold nanorods. The gold nanorods were characterized at each stage by UV-vis spectroscopy, light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements.     

Gold nanorods as nanoadmicelles: 1-naphthol partitioning into a nanorod-bound surfactant bilayer

As-prepared gold nanorods, stable in aqueous solution, bear a bilayer of the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). This bilayer provides a approximately 3 nm thick hydrophobic layer that could be used to sequester hydrophobic organic molecules from aqueous solution. We have investigated the uptake of 1-naphthol as a model hydrophobic compound by CTAB-coated gold nanorods using both ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. We find the adsorption isotherm of 1-naphthol partitioning into the CTAB bilayer on gold nanorods fits the Langmuir model. The maximum number of bound 1-naphthol molecules is 14.6 +/- 2.2 x 10(3) molecules per gold nanorod, with an equilibrium binding constant of 1.97 +/- 0.79 x 10(4) M(-1) at room temperature.     

DNA-modified electrodes; part 4: optimization of covalent immobilization of DNA on self-assembled monolayers

The covalent immobilization of DNA onto self-assembled monolayer (SAM) modified gold electrodes (SAM/Au) was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectrometry and electrochemical method so as to optimize its covalent immobilization on SAMs. Three types of SAMs with hydroxyl, amino, and carboxyl terminal groups, respectively, were examined. Results obtained by both X-ray photoelectron spectrometry and cyclic voltammetry show that the largest covalent immobilization amount of dsDNA could be gained on hydroxyl-terminated SAM/Au. The ratio of amount of dsDNA immobilized on hydroxyl-terminated SAMs to that on carboxyl-terminated SAMs and to that on amino-terminated SAMs is (3-3.5): (1-1.5): 1. The dsDNA immobilized covalently on hydroxyl-terminated SAMs accounts for 82.8-87.6% of its total surface amount (including small amount of dsDNA adsorbed). So the hydroxyl-terminated SAM is a good substrate for the covalent immobilization of dsDNA on gold surfaces.     

Precise placement of gold nanorods by capillary assembly

Capillary assembly was explored for the precise placement of 25 nm × 70 nm colloidal gold nanorods on prestructured poly(dimethylsiloxane) template surfaces. The concentration of nanorods and cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), the template wettability, and most critically the convective transport of the dispersed nanorods were tuned to study their effect on the resulting assembly yield. It is shown that gold nanorods can be placed into arrayed 120-nm diameter holes, achieving assembly yields as high as 95% when the local concentration of nanorods at the receding contact line is sufficiently high. Regular arrays of gold nanorods have several benefits over randomly deposited nanorod arrangements. Each assembled nanorod resides at a precisely defined location and can easily be found for subsequent characterization or direct utilization in a device. The former is illustrated by collecting scattering spectra from single nanorods and nanorod dimers, followed by subsequent SEM characterization without the need for intricate registration schemes.     

Single-molecule detection of DNA via sequence-specific links between F1-ATPase motors and gold nanorod sensors

We report the construction of a novel biosensing nanodevice to detect single, sequence-specific target DNA molecules. Nanodevice assembly occurs through the association of an immobilized F1-ATPase molecular motor and a functionalized gold nanorod via a single 3',5'-dibiotinylated DNA molecule. Target-dependent 3',5'-dibiotinylated DNA bridges form by combining ligation and exonucleation reactions (LXR), with a specificity capable of selecting against a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). Using dark field microscopy to detect gold nanorods, quantitation of assembled nanodevices is sufficient to distinguish the presence of as few as 1800 DNA bridges from nonspecifically bound nanorods. The rotary mechanism of F1-ATPase can drive gold nanorod rotation when the nanorod is attached via the DNA bridge. Therefore, rotation discriminates fully assembled devices from nonspecifically bound nanorods, resulting in a sensitivity limit of one zeptomole (600 molecules).     

Surface modification of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-capped gold nanorods to make molecular probes

A chemical procedure to replace the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) cap on gold nanorods (GNRs) fabricated through seed-mediated growth with organothiol compounds [3-animo-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole (AMTAZ) and 11-mercaptoundecaonic acid (MUDA)] was developed to reduce the cytotoxity of GNRs and facilitate further biofunctionalization. Compared to phosphatidylcholine (PC) modification, our procedure yields stable GNRs that are biocompatible and suitable for whole-cell studies. The PC-, AMTAZ-, and MUDA-activated GNRs all showed low cytotoxicity. By choosing different organothiols, net positive or negative charges could be created on the nanorod surface, for different applications. Gold nanorod molecular probes (GNrMPs) were fabricated by subsequent attachment of antibodies to the activated GNRs and were used to visualize and detect cell surface biomarkers in normal and transformed human breast epithelial cells, demonstrating the potential of developing novel biosensors using gold nanorods. The sensitivity of GNrMPs made from organothiol-activated GNRs is considerably higher than that of CTAB/PC-activated GNRs, demonstrating that the protocol reported here is favored in developing molecular probes using GNRs.     

Iron oxide coated gold nanorods: synthesis, characterization, and magnetic manipulation

We report a simple process to generate iron oxide coated gold nanorods. Gold nanorods, synthesized by our three-step seed mediated protocol, were coated with a layer of polymer, poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate). The negatively charged polymer on the nanorod surface electrostatically attracted a mixture of aqueous iron(II) and iron(III) ions. Base-mediated coprecipitation of iron salts was used to form uniform coatings of iron oxide nanoparticles onto the surface of gold nanorods. The magnetic properties were studied using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer, which indicated superparamagnetic behavior of the composites. These iron oxide coated gold nanorods were studied for macroscopic magnetic manipulation and were found to be weakly magnetic. For comparison, premade iron oxide nanoparticles, attached to gold nanorods by electrostatic interactions, were also studied. Although control over uniform coating of the nanorods was difficult to achieve, magnetic manipulation was improved in the latter case. The products of both synthetic methods were monitored by UV-vis spectroscopy, zeta potential measurements, and transmission electron microscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to determine the oxidation state of iron in the gold nanorod-iron oxide composites, which is consistent with Fe2O3 rather than Fe3O4. The simple method of iron oxide coating is general and applicable to different nanoparticles, and it enables magnetic field-assisted ordering of assemblies of nanoparticles for different applications.     

Self-assembled monolayers of a hydroquinone-terminated alkanethiol onto gold surface. Interfacial electrochemistry and Michael-addition reaction with glutathione

An electroactive self-assembled monolayer (SAM) was fabricated by covalent attachment of a novel hydroquinone-terminated dodecanethiol onto the gold surface and its electrochemical behavior was investigated using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The capability of the designed SAM in immobilization of organic molecules onto the gold surface was studied utilizing the Michael-addition as a model reaction. The results obtained from cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance and grazing incidence Fourier transform infrared (GI-FTIR) spectroscopy revealed that, upon applying an anodic potential to the Au-SAM electrode system in the presence of glutathione, the electrochemically generated p-quinone participated in a Michael-addition reaction with glutathione and the corresponding Michael adduct was formed at the solid–liquid interface. The kinetic parameters were then derived for this interfacial Michael-addition reaction.     

Controlling the cellular uptake of gold nanorods

Gold nanorods coated with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), a cationic micellar surfactant used in nanorod synthesis, were rapidly and irreversibly internalized by KB cells via a nonspecific uptake mechanism. Internalized nanorods near the cell surface were monitored by two-photon luminescence (TPL) microscopy and observed to migrate toward the nucleus with a quadratic rate of diffusion. The internalized nanorods were not excreted but formed permanent aggregates within the cells, which remained healthy and grew to confluence over a 5-day period. Nonspecific nanorod uptake could be greatly reduced by displacing the CTAB surfactant layer with chemisorptive surfactants, particularly by the conjugation of poly(ethylene glycol) chains onto nanorods using in situ dithiocarbamate formation.     

A rapid method for detection of genetically modified organisms based on magnetic separation and surface-enhanced Raman scattering

In this study, a new method combining magnetic separation (MS) and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) was developed to detect genetically modified organisms (GMOs). An oligonucleotide probe which is specific for 35 S DNA target was immobilized onto gold coated magnetic nanospheres to form oligonucleotide-coated nanoparticles. A self assembled monolayer was formed on gold nanorods using 5,5'-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) and the second probe of the 35 S DNA target was immobilized on the activated nanorod surfaces. Probes on the nanoparticles were hybridized with the target oligonucleotide. Optimization parameters for hybridization were investigated by high performance liquid chromatography. Optimum hybridization parameters were determined as: 4 μM probe concentration, 20 min immobilization time, 30 min hybridization time, 55 °C hybridization temperature, 750 mM buffer salt concentration and pH: 7.4. Quantification of the target concentration was performed via SERS spectra of DTNB on the nanorods. The correlation between the target concentration and the SERS signal was found to be linear within the range of 25-100 nM. The analyses were performed with only one hybridization step in 40 min. Real sample analysis was conducted using Bt-176 maize sample. The results showed that the developed MS-SERS assay is capable of detecting GMOs in a rapid and selective manner.     

Surfactant (bi)layers on gold nanorods

Gold nanorods in aqueous solution are generally surrounded by surfactants or capping agents. This is crucial for anisotropic growth during synthesis and for their final stability in solution. When CTAB is used, a bilayer has been evidenced from analytical methods even though no direct morphological characterization of the precise thickness and compactness has been reported. The type of surfactant layer is also relevant to understand the marked difference in further self-assembling properties of gold nanorods as experienced using 16-EO(1)-16 gemini surfactant instead of CTAB. To obtain a direct measure of the thickness of the surfactant layer on gold nanorods synthesized by the seeded growth method, we coupled TEM, SAXS, and SANS experiments for the two different cases, CTAB and gemini 16-EO(1)-16. Despite the strong residual signal from micelles in excess, it can be concluded that the thickness is imposed by the chain length of the surfactant and corresponds to a bilayer with partial interdigitation.     

Immobilization of liposomes onto quartz crystal microbalance to detect interaction between liposomes and proteins

To study the interaction between liposomes and proteins, intact liposomes were immobilized on a metal planar support by chemical binding and/or bioaffinity using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). A large decrease in the resonance frequency of quartz crystal was observed when the QCM, modified by a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of carboxythiol, was added to liposome solutions. The stable chemical immobilization of intact liposomes onto SAM was judged according to the degree with which adsorbed mass depended on the prepared size of liposomes, as well as on the activation time of SAMs when amino-coupling was introduced, where the liposome coverage of electrodes was 69+/-8% in optimal conditions. When avidin-biotin binding was used on amino-coupling liposome layers, liposome immobilization finally reached 168% coverage of the electrode surface. Denatured protein was also successfully detected according to the change in the frequency of the liposome-immobilized QCM. The adsorbed mass of denatured carbonic anhydrase from bovine onto immobilized liposomes showed a characteristic peak at a concentration of guanidine hydrochloride that corresponded to a molten globule-like state of the protein, although the mass adsorbed onto deactivated SAM increased monotonously.     

Short gold nanorod growth revisited: the critical role of the bromide counterion

A one-step, surfactant-assisted, seed-mediated method has been utilized for the growth of short gold nanorods with reasonable yield by modifying an established synthesis protocol. Among the various parameters that influence nanorod growth, the impact of the bromide counterion has been closely scrutinized. During this study it has been shown that, irrespective of its origin, the bromide counterion [cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) or NaBr] plays a crucial role in the formation of nanorods in the sense that there is a critical [Br(-)]/[Au(3+)] ratio (around 200) to achieve nanorods with a maximum aspect ratio. Beyond this value, bromide can be considered as a poisoning agent unless shorter nanorods are required. The use of AgNO(3) helps in symmetry breaking for gold nanorod growth, whereas the bromide counterion controls the growth kinetics by selective adsorption on the facets of the growth direction. Thus, a proper balance between bromide ions and gold cations is also one of the necessary parameters for controlling the size of the gold nanorods; this has been discussed thoroughly. The results have been discussed based on their absorption spectra and finally shape evolution has been confirmed by TEM. Due to their efficient absorption in the near-IR region, these short nanorods were used in photothermal imaging of living COS-7 cells with improved signal-to-background ratios.     

The importance of the CTAB surfactant on the colloidal seed-mediated synthesis of gold nanorods

Gold nanorods were synthesized by the colloidal seed-mediated, surfactant-assisted approach [Gou et al., Chem. Mater. 2005, 17, 3668-3672] using CTAB (hexadecylcetyltrimethylammonium bromide) obtained from ten different suppliers. The yield of gold nanorods depended strongly on the CTAB used: with the same recipe, three of the CTABs did not yield nanorods and produced only spherical gold particles, whereas the other CTABs yielded nanorods with nearly 100% yield. These results suggest that an impurity in the CTAB is very important for nanorod formation.     

Reactive landing of peptide ions on self-assembled monolayer surfaces: an alternative approach for covalent immobilization of peptides on surfaces

Soft landing of mass-selected peptide ions onto reactive self-assembled monolayer surfaces (SAMs) was performed using a newly constructed ion deposition apparatus. SAM surfaces before and after soft landing were characterized ex situ using time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) and infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS). We demonstrate that reactive landing (RL) results in efficient covalent linking of lysine-containing peptides onto the SAM of N-hydroxysuccinimidyl ester-terminated alkylthiol on gold (NHS-SAM). Systematic studies of the factors that affect the efficiency of RL revealed that the reaction takes place upon collision and is promoted by the kinetic energy of the ion. The efficiency of RL is maximized at ca. 40 eV collision energy. At high collision energies the RL efficiency decreases because of the competition with scattering of ions off the surface. The reaction yield is independent of the charge state of the projectile ions, suggesting that peptide ions undergo efficient neutralization upon collision. Chemical and physical properties of the SAM surface are also important factors that affect the outcome of RL. The presence of chemically reactive functional groups on the SAM surface significantly improves the reaction efficiency. RL of mass- and energy-selected peptide ions on surfaces provides a highly specific approach for covalent immobilization of biological molecules onto SAM surfaces.     

Organo-soluble porphyrin mixed monolayer-protected gold nanorods with intercalated fullerenes

Organo-soluble porphyrin mixed monolayer-protected gold nanorods were synthesized and characterized. The resulting gold nanorods encapsulated by both porphyrin thiol and alkyl thiol on their entire surface with strong covalent Au-S linkages were very stable in organic solvents without aggregation or decomposition and exhibited unique optical properties different from their corresponding spherical ones. Alkyl thiol acts as a stabilizer not only to fill up the potential space on gold nanorod surface between bulky porphyrin molecules but also to provide space for further insertion of C(60) molecules forming a stable C(60)-porphyrin-gold nanorod hybrid nanostructure.     

Immobilization of the nanoparticle monolayer onto self-assembled monolayers by combined sterically enhanced hydrophobic and electrophoretic forces

The immobilization of surface-derivatized gold nanoparticles onto methyl-terminated self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold surface was achieved by the cooperation of hydrophobic and electrophoretic forces. Electrochemical and scanning probe microscopy techniques were utilized to explore the influence of the SAM's structure and properties of the nanoparticle/SAM/gold system. SAMs prepared from 1-decanethiol (DT) and 2-mercapto-3-n-octylthiophene (MOT) were used as hydrophobic substrates. The DT SAM is a closely packed and organized monolayer, which can effectively block the underlying gold and inhibit a variety of solution species including organic and inorganic molecules from penetrating, whereas the MOT monolayer is poorly packed or disorganized (because of a large difference in dimension between the thiophene head and the alkylchain tail) and permeable to many organic probes in aqueous solution but not to inorganic probes. Thus, the MOT monolayer provides a more energetically favorable hydrophobic surface for the penetration and adsorption of organic species than the DT monolayer. This hypothesis is supported by experiments in which the density of hydrophobically immobilized nanoparticles on the MOT SAM is much larger than that on the DT SAM. The results also suggest new approaches for modification of macroscopic surfaces with nanoscopic particles.     

Surface characterization of 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane films on silicon-based substrates

Silane coupling agents are commonly used to activate surfaces for subsequent immobilization of biomolecules. The homogeneity and surface morphology of silane films is important for controlling the structural order of immobilized single-stranded DNA probes based on oligonucleotides. The surfaces of silicon wafers and glass slides with covalently attached 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GOPS) have been characterized by using angularly dependent X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (ToF–SIMS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and monochromatic and spectroscopic ellipsometry. XPS and ToF–SIMS data provided evidence of complete surface coverage by GOPS. Data from angularly resolved XPS and ellipsometry methods suggested that the GOPS films were of monolayer thickness. AFM and SEM data indicated the presence of films that consisted of nodules approximately 50–100 nm in diameter. Modeling suggested that the nodules may lead to a nanoscale structural morphology that might influence the hybridization kinetics and thermodynamics of immobilized oligonucleotides.     

Electrostatic attachment of gold and poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles onto omega-aminoalkanoic acid self-assembled monolayers on 316L stainless steel

The assembly of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanoparticles on a 12-aminodecanoic acid (ADA) self-assembled monolayer (SAM) is described. Assembly is accomplished through electrostatic interactions between the positively charged SAM and the negatively charged PLA nanoparticles. The strategy used involves two steps in which a preliminary electrochemical coating of the ADA SAM is followed by a second step that involves immersing the SAM in a solution containing gold or PLA nanoparticles. The SAM was characterized by using cyclic voltammetry (CV), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), FTIR spectroscopy, and contact angle measurements, whereas scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to image the nanoparticles after electrostatic attachment was achieved. We found that the surface coverage of the nanoparticles could be controlled by modulating the electrostatic interactions between the negatively charged particles and the positively charged SAM surface by varying the pH of the nanoparticle solution, the immersion time, and the number of cyclic voltammetry scans under which the SAM was formed.