Acetal-functionalized polymer particles useful for immunoassays

The synthesis of core-shell type polystyrene monodisperse particles with surface acetal groups was carried out by a two-step emulsion polymerization process. In a first step, the core was synthesized by batch emulsion polymerization of styrene (St), and in the second step, the shell was polymerized by batch emulsion terpolymerization of styrene, methacrylic acid (MAA), and methacrylamidoacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal (MAAMA), using the seed obtained previously. With the aim of analyzing the effect of the thickness of the shell, the pH of the reaction medium and the weight ratio of the termonomers to prepare the shell, on the amount of the functionalized groups, several core-shell type latex particles were synthesized by two-step emulsion polymerization in a batch reactor. The latexes were characterized by TEM and conductimetric titration to obtain the particle size distribution and the amount of carboxyl and acetal groups on the surface, respectively. Looking for the applicability of the synthesized latexes in immunoassays, IgG a-CRP rabbit antibody was covalently bonded to the surface of the particles synthesized in neutral medium. The complex latex-protein was immunologically active against the CRP antigen. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35 : 1605–1610, 1997     

Monolithic valves for microfluidic chips based on thermoresponsive polymer gels

The direct preparation of thermoresponsive monolithic copolymers by photopatterning of a liquid phase consisting of an aqueous solution of N-isopropylacrylamide, N-ethylacrylamide, N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide, and 4,4'-azobis(4-cyanovaleric acid) has been studied and the products used as valves within the channels of microfluidic devices. The volume change associated with the polymer phase transition at its lower critical solution temperature (LCST) leads to the rapid swelling and the deswelling of the 2.5% cross-linked monolithic gel thus enabling the polymer to close or open the channel and to function as a nonmechanically actuated valve. The LCST at which the valve switches was easily adjusted within a range of 35 degrees C-74 degrees C by varying the proportions of the monovinyl monomers in the polymerization mixture. The closed valve holds pressures of up to 18 MPa without noticeable dislocation, structural damage, or leakage. In contrast, following deswelling by raising the temperature above LCST the valve offers no appreciable flow resistance since its large, micrometer-size pores are open. Laser-triggered photobleaching of a fluorescent dye contained in the liquid phase enabled monitoring of flow through the device and determination of the times required to open and close the valve. The valves are characterized by very fast actuation times in a range of 1-4 s depending on the type of device. No changes in performance were observed even after repeated open-close cycling of the valves.     

Supramolecular polymer chemistry

Supramolecular chemistry aims at constructing highly complex chemical systems and advanced materials by designing arrays of components held together by intermolecular forces. The implementation of molecular recognition and information offers means for controlling the evolution and the architecture of supramolecular entities and of organised phases as they spontaneously build up from their components through self‐organisation.     

Uniform polymer in synthetic polymer chemistry

The preparation of uniform polymers and their use in fundamental polymer chemistry are reviewed. A typical method of preparation is a combination of living polymerization and supercritical fluid chromatography separation. Synthetic uniform polymers allow us to solve ambiguous problems in polymer chemistry due to molecular weight distribution and are of significant importance for studies on structure–property relationships. A close inspection of an isotactic uniform chloral oligomer with a symmetrical chemical structure reveals that oligomers are the first examples of stable atropisomers of aldehyde oligomers and that their chiroptical properties are due only to their helical geometries. A molecular-level understanding of the mechanism and stoichiometry of the association process of polymer molecules is possible only with uniform polymers, and stereocomplex formation between isotactic and syndiotactic poly(methyl methacrylate)s in acetone has vigorously been studied by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and NMR. End-functionalized uniform polymers have enabled us to prepare uniform polymer architectures, such as block, graft, comb, and star polymers. A uniform stereoblock poly(methyl methacrylate) with an isotactic (methyl methacrylate)₄₆-syndiotactic (methyl methacrylate)₄₆ structure shows a single SEC peak in chloroform but three peaks in acetone, which are ascribable to intermolecularly and intramolecularly associated complexes and nonassociated molecules. A three-arm star polymer with one isotactic chain and two syndiotactic chains shows a peculiar SEC behavior in acetone due to a braid type of intramolecular stereocomplex formation. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 416–431, 2004     

A fluorescent polymer dots positive readout fluorescent quenching lateral flow sensor for ractopamine rapid detection

A fluorescent polymer dots positive readout and sensitive lateral flow assay (LFA) based on fluorescent quenching has been developed to detect ractopamine (Rac), a chemical residue in food, harmful to human health. Compared with traditional LFA strips, these fluorescent quenching LFA (FQLFA) strips provide a positive correlation method that allows users to obtain results from a weak fluorescent signal. The immunoassay strip scheme is based on the fact that fluorescent polymer dots (FPDs) in close proximity to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) represent a strong fluorescent quenching. We show that the FQLFA strips can be used as a source to quantitatively analyze Rac in phosphate buffers (PB), swine urine and muscle tissue samples. The lowest detection limitation of the FQLFA was 0.16 ng mL⁻¹. Our results indicated that this novel scheme was more suitable for rapid detection of small molecules.     

中空高分子荧光微球的制备及其免疫层析检测应用

以过硫酸钾(KPS)为引发剂,甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯(GMA)和苯乙烯(St)为单体,采用无皂乳液聚合法制备了表面官能团化的高分子微球。研究发现添加微量NaCl制备得到的高分子微球,经四氢呋喃(THF)溶胀处理后,能够得到单分散且表面完整的中空P(St-co-GMA)微球。随后使用有机溶胀的方式将Eu配合物染料负载于微球壳层中,实现了α1微球蛋白(α1-MG)和β2微球蛋白(β2-MG)的免疫层析检测。     

中空高分子荧光微球的制备及其免疫层析检测应用

以过硫酸钾（KPS）为引发剂,甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯（GMA）和苯乙烯（St）为单体,采用无皂乳液聚合法制备了表面官能团化的高分子微球。研究发现添加微量NaCl制备得到的高分子微球,经四氢呋喃（THF）溶胀处理后,能够得到单分散且表面完整的中空P （St-co-GMA）微球。随后使用有机溶胀的方式将Eu(Ⅲ)配合物染料负载于微球壳层中,实现了α1微球蛋白（α1-MG）和β2微球蛋白（β2-MG）的免疫层析检测。     

A spectroelectrochemical study on perylene cation radical in polymer microchannel-microelectrode chips

Polymer microchannel chips (depth 20 microm and width 100 microm) integrated with band electrodes were fabricated by photolithography and imprinting methods, and applied to a spectroelectrochemical study on the cation radical of perylene (Pe). A propylene carbonate solution of Pe was brought into the channel chip by pressure driven flow and Pe was oxidized at the working band electrode (WE) in the channel. Simultaneously, absorption measurements of the solution phase in the downstream side of the electrode (30 microm from WE) were conducted on the basis of space resolved spectroscopy. The decrease in the absorbance of Pe at 438 nm upon electrolysis accompanied an appearance of the absorption band around 538 nm, which was assigned to that of the Pe cation radical. When the perylene solution was introduced to the microchip at a slow flow velocity, the dimer cation radical of Pe was shown to be produced in the channel chip. The formation and disappearance processes of the monomer and dimer cation radicals of Pe in the channel were followed by flow velocity and position dependencies of the absorption spectra.     

Complexation chemistry for tuning release from polymer coatings

The strategy of metal ion complexation is employed to design a delivery system for an antifouling agent (AFA) in marine paints. A poly(1-vinylimidazole-co-methyl methacrylate) copolymer (PVM), together with Cu2+ or Zn2+ formed a PVM-M2+ complex. The AFA, Medetomidine, was then coordinated into the complex. The coordination strength was investigated in solution by 1H NMR and on solid surfaces by using the Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation monitoring technique (QCM-D) and Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR). From the 1H NMR experiments strong interactions were observed between Cu2+ and the PVM-polymer and between Medetomidine and the PVM-Cu2+ complex. From the QCM-D and SPR measurements it was shown that Cu2+, compared to Zn2+, exhibited a larger affinity for the PVM-copolymer surface that resulted in higher degree of swelling of the polymer film. Large amounts of Medetomidine were adsorbed to the PVM-Cu2+ complex resulting in low desorption rates. However, the adsorbed amount of Medetomidine was lower to the Zn2+ doped polymer and a higher desorption rate was observed. These results indicate the possibility of tuning the release of Medetomidine by altering the coordinating metal ion, which may prove to be favorable in a paint formulation.     

Bead-based immunoassays using a micro-chip flow cytometer

A microfabricated flow cytometer has been developed for the analysis of micron-sized polymer beads onto which fluorescently labelled proteins have been immobilised. Fluorescence measurements were made on the beads as they flowed through the chip. Binding of antibodies to surface-immobilised antigens was quantitatively assayed using the device. Particles were focused through a detection zone in the centre of the flow channel using negative dielectrophoresis. Impedance measurements of the particles (at 703 kHz) were used to determine particle size and to trigger capture of the fluorescence signal. Antibody binding was measured by fluorescence at single and dual excitation wavelengths (532 nm and 633 nm). Fluorescence compensation techniques were implemented to correct for spectral overspill between optical detection channels. The data from the microfabricated flow cytometer was shown to be comparable to that of a commercial flow cytometer (BD-FACSAria).     

New family of fluorinated polymer chips for droplet and organic solvent microfluidics

We present a new family of microfluidic chips hot embossed from a commercial fluorinated thermoplastic polymer (Dyneon THV). This material shares most of the properties of fluoro polymers (very low surface energy and resistance to chemicals), but is easier to process due to its relatively low melting point. Finally, as an elastic material it also allows easy world to chip connections. Fluoropolymer films can be imprinted by hot embossing from PDMS molds prepared by soft lithography. Chips are then sealed by an original technique (termed Monolithic-Adhesive-Bonding), using two different grades of fluoropolymer to obtain uniform mechanical, chemical and surface properties. This fabrication process is well adapted to rapid prototyping, but it also has potential for low cost industrial production, since it does not require any curing or etching step. We prepared microfluidic devices with micrometre resolution features, that are optically transparent, and that provide good resistance to pressure (up to 50 kPa). We demonstrated the transport of water droplets in fluorinated oil, and fluorescence detection of DNA within the droplets. No measurable interaction of the droplets with the channels wall was observed, alleviating the need for surface treatment previously necessary for droplet applications in microfluidic chips. These chips can also handle harsh organic solvents. For instance, we demonstrated the formation of chloroform droplets in fluorinated oil, expanding the potential for on chip microchemistry.     

Diffusion driven optofluidic dye lasers encapsulated into polymer chips

Lab-on-a-chip systems made of polymers are promising for the integration of active optical elements, enabling e.g. on-chip excitation of fluorescent markers or spectroscopy. In this work we present diffusion operation of tunable optofluidic dye lasers in a polymer foil. We demonstrate that these first order distributed feedback lasers can be operated for more than 90 min at a pulse repetition rate of 2 Hz without fluidic pumping. Ultra-high output pulse energies of more than 10 μJ and laser thresholds of 2 μJ are achieved for resonator lengths of 3 mm. By introducing comparatively large on-chip dye solution reservoirs, the required exchange of dye molecules is accomplished solely by diffusion. Polymer chips the size of a microscope cover slip (18 × 18 mm(2)) were fabricated in batches on a wafer using a commercially available polymer (TOPAS(?) Cyclic Olefin Copolymer). Thermal imprinting of micro- and nanoscale structures into 100 μm foils simultaneously defines photonic resonators, liquid-core waveguides, and fluidic reservoirs. Subsequently, the fluidic structures are sealed with another 220 μm foil by thermal bonding. Tunability of laser output wavelengths over a spectral range of 24 nm on a single chip is accomplished by varying the laser grating period in steps of 2 nm. Low-cost manufacturing suitable for mass production, wide laser tunability, ultra-high output pulse energies, and long operation times without external fluidic pumping make these on-chip lasers suitable for a wide range of lab-on-a-chip applications, e.g. on-chip spectroscopy, biosensing, excitation of fluorescent markers, or surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).     

EIS microfluidic chips for flow immunoassay and ultrasensitive cholera toxin detection

A flow-injection impedimetric immunosensor for the sensitive, direct and label-free detection of cholera toxin is reported. A limit of detection smaller than 10 pM was achieved, a value thousands of times lower than the lethal dose. The developed chips fulfil the requirement of low cost and quick reply of the assay and are expected to enable field screening, prompt diagnosis and medical intervention without the need of specialized personnel and expensive equipment, a perspective of special relevance for use in developing countries. Since the chip layout includes two sensing areas each one with a 2 × 2 sensor array, our biochips can allow statistical or (alternatively) multiplex analysis of biorecognition events between antibodies immobilized on each working electrode and different antigens flowing into the chamber.     

Topological polymer chemistry by programmed self-assembly and effective linking chemistry

Ongoing challenges in topological polymer chemistry are reviewed. In particular, we focus on recent developments in an “electrostatic self-assembly and covalent fixation (ESA–CF)” process in conjunction with effective linking/cleaving chemistry including a metathesis process and an alkyne–azide click reaction. A variety of novel cyclic polymers having specific functional groups and unprecedented multicyclic macromolecular topologies have been realized by combining intriguing synthetic protocols.     

A paper-based lateral flow assay for morphine

Morphine was used as a model analyte to examine the possibility of using cellulose, physically modified by papermaking and converting techniques, as a capillary matrix in a lateral flow type of diagnostic assay. This research was directed toward low-cost, disposable, and portable paper-based diagnostics, with the aim of addressing the analytical performance of paper as a substrate in the analysis for drugs of abuse. Antibody Fab fragments were used as sensing molecules, and gold nanoparticle detection was employed. Inkjet printing was used to pattern sensing biomolecules as detection zones on paper. To validate the usefulness of paper as a diagnostic platform, the principle of a direct sandwich assay, based on immunocomplex formation between morphine and the anti-morphine Fab fragment and detection of the formed immunocomplex by another Fab fragment, was implemented. Results were compared with that achieved by using nitrocellulose as a reference material. Possible interfering from the sample matrix on assay quality was investigated with spiked oral fluid samples. Under optimized conditions, a visually assessed limit of detection for the sandwich assay was 1 ng/mL, indicating that the paper-based test devices developed in this work can perform screening for drugs of abuse and can fulfill the requirement for a sensitive assay in diagnostically relevant ranges. Fig

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Physical chemistry of supramolecular polymer networks

Supramolecular polymer networks are three-dimensional structures of crosslinked macromolecules connected by transient, non-covalent bonds; they are a fascinating class of soft materials, exhibiting properties such as stimuli-responsiveness, self-healing, and shape-memory. This critical review summarizes the current state of the art in the physical-chemical characterization of supramolecular networks and relates this knowledge to that about classical, covalently jointed and crosslinked networks. We present a separate focus on the formation, the structure, the dynamics, and the mechanics of both permanent chemical and transient supramolecular networks. Particular emphasis is placed on features such as the formation and the effect of network inhomogeneities, the manifestation of the crosslink relaxation dynamics in the macroscopic sample behavior, and the applicability of concepts developed for classical polymer melts, solutions, and networks such as the reptation model and the principle of time-temperature superposition (263 references).     

Lens epithelial cell response to polymer stiffness and polymer chemistry

Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) is the most common complication of cataract surgery, and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation is the standard of care for cataract patients. Induction of postoperative epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in residual lens epithelial cells (LEC) is the main mechanism by which PCO forms. Previous studies have shown that IOLs made with different materials have varying incidence of PCO. The aim of this paper was to study the interactions between human (h)LEC and polymer substrates. Polymers and copolymers of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and 3-methacryloxypropyl tris(trimethylsiloxy)silane (TRIS) were synthesized and evaluated due to the clinical use of these materials as ocular biomaterials and implants. The chemical properties of the polymer surfaces were evaluated by contact angle, and polymer stiffness and roughness were measured using atomic force microscopy. In vitro studies showed the effect of polymer mechanical properties on the behavior of hLECs. Stiffer polymers increased α-smooth muscle actin expression and induced cell elongation. Hydrophobic and rough polymer surfaces increased cell attachment. These results demonstrate that attachment of hLECs on different surfaces is affected by surface properties in vitro, and evaluating these properties may be useful for investigating prevention of PCO.     

Topological polymer chemistry by dynamic selection from electrostatic polymer self-assembly

A collection of recent developments in topological polymer chemistry is presented. First, topological isomerism occurring on randomly coiled, flexible polymer molecules having cyclic and linear structures is discussed. Second, an electrostatic self-assembly and covalent fixation strategy has been developed for the synthesis of polymeric topological isomers. These isomers have double cyclic, manacle-, and theta-shaped constructions, and are prepared by using either linear or star telechelic polymer precursors having moderately strained cyclic ammonium salt groups, which carry multifunctional carboxylate counteranions. A technique of reversed-phase chromatography (RPC) is demonstrated as an effective means to separate polymers with different topologies, especially polymeric topological isomers. A further extension of topological polymer chemistry has been observed by dynamic selection from electrostatic polymer self-assembly to enable the effective formation of tadpole-shaped, cyclic-linear hybrid topologies.