Biosensors based on immobilization of biomolecules by electrogenerated polymer films

The concept and potentialities of electrochemical procedures of biomolecule immobilization are described. The entrapment of biomolecules within electropolymerized films consists of the application of an appropriate potential to an electrode soaked in an aqueous solution containing monomer and biomolecules. This method of biosensor construction is compared with a two-step procedure based on the adsorption of an aqueous amphiphilic pyrrole monomer-biomolecule mixture on an electrode followed by the electropolymerization of the adsorbed monomers. Another approach is based on the electrogeneration of polymer films functionalized by specific groups allowing subsequently the attachment of biomolecules. The immobilization of biomolecules on these films by covalent binding or noncovalent interactions is described.     

Exploring isonitrile-based click chemistry for ligation with biomolecules

We show here that isonitriles can perform click reactions with tetrazines in aqueous media, making them promising candidates for ligation reactions in chemical biology and polymer chemistry. This is the first time that a [4+1] cycloaddition has been used as a biocompatible ligation reaction.     

Surface modification of carbon black by thiol-ene click reaction for improving dispersibility in aqueous phase

Carbon black (CB) particles were firstly encapsulated by γ-Methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MEMO) using a sol-gel method and then grafted with sodium 3-Mercapto-1-propanesulfonate (MPS) via thiol-ene click reaction. Morphology characterization reveals that modified CB particles have a core-shell structure. Element composition and chemical status derived from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results prove the grafting of MPS molecules. Moreover, the crystal structure and thermal behavior of modified CB particles were characterized by Raman spectra and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) curves, respectively. The modified CB particles exhibit excellent self-dispersing ability in aqueous media and the dispersion has high thermal and centrifugal stability. This research provides a new insight into the preparation of inkjet printing ink with excellent stability.     

Strategies for immobilization of biomolecules in a microarray

Recent advances in the generation of peptide and protein microarrays are reviewed, with special focuses on different strategies available for site-specific immobilization of proteins and peptides.     

Chemoselective derivatization of a bionanoparticle by click reaction and ATRP reaction

Horse spleen apoferritin, the hollow protein shell derived from ferritin, a special biological nanoparticle, can be chemoselectively modified at the lysine residues, which affords a robust scaffold for further chemical reactions including Cu(i)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction and atom transfer radical polymerization reaction.     

Membrane labeling and immobilization via copper-free click chemistry

Copper-free click chemistry was employed to derivatize membrane bilayers. This approach uses an azido-lipid conjugate presented on liposomes, which can be labeled in bioorthogonal fashion via cyclooctyne-tagged reagents. An immobilization-based approach using streptavidin-coated microplates was exploited to evaluate membrane derivatization.     

Patterned immobilization of biomolecules by using ion irradiation‐induced graft polymerization

A new method for biomolecular patterning based on ion irradiation‐induced graft polymerization was demonstrated in this study. Ion irradiation on a polymer surface resulted in the formation of active species, which was further used for surface‐initiated graft polymerization of acrylic acid. The results of the grafting study revealed that the surface graft polymerization using 20 vol % of acrylic acid on the poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) film irradiated at the fluence of 1 × 10¹⁵ ions/cm² for 12 h was the optimum graft polymerization condition to achieve the maximum grafting degree. The results of the fluorescence microscopy also revealed that the optimum fluence to achieve the maximum fluorescence intensity was 1 × 10¹⁵ ions/cm². The grafting of acrylic acid on the PTFE surfaces was confirmed by a fluorescence labeling method. The grafted PTFE films were used for the immobilization of amine‐functionalized p‐DNA, followed by hybridization with fluorescently tagged c‐DNA. Biotin‐amine was also immobilized on the acrylic acid grafted PTFE surfaces. Successful biotin‐specific binding of streptavidin further confirmed the potential of this strategy for patterning of various biomolecules. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6124–6134, 2009     

Isonitrile derivatives of polyacrylamide as supports for the immobilization of biomolecules

Isonitrile derivatives of crosslinked polyacrylamide beads (Biogell P-100) were prepared by a two-step procedure: a. N-hydroxymethylation (methylolation) of amide groups on the polymer by treatment with formaldehyde; and b. Attachment of side chains, containing isonitrile functional groups by a displacement reaction involving 1-tosyloxy-3-isocyanopropane (p-CH₃-C₆H₄·SO₂·O·(CH₂)₃ NC) and alkoxide ions generated on methylolated polyacrylamide by treatment with a strong base in a polar aprotic solvent. The modified polyacrylamide beads were tested as support for the immobilization of proteins, and low mol wt ligands by four component condensation (4CC) reactions. Trypsin-polyacrylamide acting on N-benzoyl-L-arginine ethylester exhibited nonlinear Michaelis Menten kinetics and distorted pH activity profiles. The kinetic anomalies could be reduced by increasing the concentration of buffer. The data were consistent with a model assuming “buffer facilitated proton transport” in a diffusionally constrained system.     

Facile immobilization of biomolecules onto various surfaces using epoxide-containing antibiofouling polymers

The surface modifications of plastic or glass substrate and the subsequent immobilization of biomolecules onto the surfaces has been a central feature of the fabrication of biochips. To this end, we designed and synthesized new epoxide-containing random copolymers that form stable polymer adlayers on plastic or glass surface and subsequently react with amine or sulfhydryl functional groups of biomolecules under aqueous conditions. Epoxide-containing random copolymers were synthesized by radical polymerization of three functional monomers: a monomer acting as an anchor to the surfaces, a PEG group for preventing nonspecific protein adsorption, and an epoxide group for conjugating to biomolecules. Polymer coating layers were facilely formed on cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) or glass substrate by simply dipping each substrate into a solution of each copolymer. The polymer-coated surfaces characterized by a contact angle analyzer and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed very low levels of nonspecific immunoglobulin G (IgG) adsorption compared to the uncoated bare surface (control). Using a microcontact printing (μCP) method, antibodies as representative biomolecules could be selectively attached onto the copolymers-coated glass or COC surface with high signal-to-noise ratios.     

Designer peptide dendrimers using click reaction

We designed and synthesized various peptide dendrimers using a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (Click) reaction. The dendritic structures reported here include symmetrical, asymmetrical, and cationic dendrimers with triazole, cystine, aromatic, aliphatic, and Lys-Asp dipeptide cores. The high chemoselectivity of the click reaction allowed us to synthesize good yields of high-purity protected and unprotected dendritic structures. Triazole is an excellent peptide bond mimic, which remains hydrolytically stable. Dendrimer 15a and the core unit 21 gelate in a mixture of organic solvents. We also demonstrated the versatility of the design by synthesizing various carbohydrate-based dendrimers.     

Surface patterning using scanning electrochemical microscopy to locally trigger a “click” chemistry reaction

We report on the surface micropatterning of conductive surfaces via the electrochemical triggering of a click reaction, the copper(I) catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition reaction (CuAAC) by SECM via a two-step approach: (i) functionalization on the entire surface with azido-aryl groups by using the diazonium approach followed by (ii) the covalent linkage of alkyne-bearing ferrocene by CuAAC within a local area by SECM. More precisely, the click reaction was triggered by Cu(I) catalyst generation for 30 min at the SECM tip positioned ≈ 10 μm above the azido-aryl modified surface. The dimension of the spot obtained under these conditions was ≈ 75 μm. The electrochemical imaging by SECM of the ultra thin area locally clicked with ferrocene moieties was made thanks to the electrocatalytic properties of the ferrocene modified surface towards ferrocyanide electrooxidation. This local clicking procedure opens the gate to further controlled functionalization of restricted small substrates.     

Fast surface immobilization of native proteins through catalyst-free amino-yne click bioconjugation

Surface immobilization provides a useful platform for biosensing, drug screening, tissue engineering and other chemical and biological applications. However, some of the used reactions are inefficient and/or complicated, limiting their applications in immobilization. Herein, we use a spontaneous and catalyst-free amino-yne click bioconjugation to generate activated ethynyl group functionalized surfaces for fast immobilization of native proteins and cells. Biomolecules, such as bovine serum albumin (BSA), human IgG and a peptide of C(RGDfK), could be covalently immobilized on the surfaces in as short as 30 min. Notably, the bioactivity of the anchored biomolecules remains intact, which is verified by efficiently capturing target antibodies and cells from the bulk solutions. This strategy represents an alternative for highly efficient surface biofunctionalization.

Fast surface immobilization of native bioconjugates through a spontaneous amino-yne click reaction is realized.     

Molecular-shape imprinting and immobilization of biomolecules on a polymer containing azo dye

We demonstrate a novel technique for molecular imprinting and immobilization on a surface of a polymer containing azo dyes (azopolymer). The azopolymer was found to be capable of immobilizing micrometer- and nanometer-scale macromolecules (e.g., lambda-DNA, immunoglobulin G (IgG), bacterial protease, and 1-mum polystyrene particles) through photoirradiation with blue-wavelength light. Fluorescence and atomic force microscopy studies revealed that the azopolymer surface deformed along with the shape of the macromolecules, holding them in place after photoirradiation. The desorption of the immobilized macromolecules from the azopolymer surface in an aqueous medium was observed to be very slow, on the time scale of 10 min to weeks, depending on the photoirradiation time. Immunological and enzymatic studies showed that IgG and bacterial protease immobilized on the azopolymer surface retained their original functionality. These results suggest that the azopolymer physically, not chemically, binds the macromolecules because of the increase in contact area between the macromolecules and the azopolymer surface after photoirradiation.     

Chemoselective immobilization of biomolecules through aqueous Diels-Alder and PEG chemistry

Aqueous Diels-Alder chemistry combined with a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) spacer was used to immobilize a diverse group of biomolecules onto a solid surface. Briefly, α, ω linear PEG conjugates were synthesized containing cyclopentadiene in the α position and either biotin, lactose, or protein A in the ω position. Linkers were coupled to N-maleimide (EMC)-functionalized glass substrates, and surface immobilization of biomolecules was confirmed by confocal fluorescence imaging.     

Fabrication of thermoresponsive micelles by functionalizing hydroxypropyl cellulose via azide-alkyne click reaction

In this work, we functionalized hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) by attaching tetraphenylethylene (TPE) via copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). The obtained HPC-TPE samples displayed water-solubility, biocompatibility, fluorescence and thermoresponsive properties. The degree of substitution (DS_TPE) of HPC-TPE1 ~ 4 was determined to be 0.002, 0.006, 0.025, and 0.053, respectively. HPC-TPE could self-assemble into micelles in water with the hydrodynamic radius (R_h) ranging from 164 to 190 nm. Under different DS_TPE, HPC-TPE samples showed different lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behaviors in light transmittance, R_h and fluorescence. The critical transition temperatures in light transmittance for HPC-TPE1 ~ 4 solutions were 55–49 °C during the heating process, and were 44–40 °C during the cooling process, respectively. Moreover, HPC-TPE demonstrated a rapid and sensitive response to Fe³⁺ with ignoring interferences in the presence of other common metal ions, and could also be used to image 4T1 cells. Therefore, this work offered a general approach for the synthesis of functionalized polymers with promising applications in sensing and bioimaging.     

Surface modification of calcium sulfate whisker using thiol-ene click reaction and its application in reinforced silicone rubber

The hemihydrate calcium sulfate whisker (HCSW) was modified by γ-(methacryloxy)propyl trimethoxy silane (KH570) and trimethylolpropane tris(3-mercaptopropionate) via wet modification and thiol-ene click reaction, and then the unmodified and modified HCSW were added into α, ω-dihydroxy polysiloxane (DPS) matrix to prepare silicon rubber composites. After the dual-surface modification, the surface of HCSW was transformed to hydrophobic, the hydration of whisker was obviously improved, and the whisker dispersed more evenly in the polymer. The mechanical properties, dynamic mechanical properties, and the medium resistance of the silicone rubber composite were compared. The tensile test shows that the silicone rubber shows better mechanical properties after adding the modified whiskers, among which HCSW-KH570-SH has the most significant reinforcement effect. Moreover, DPS/HCSW-KH570-SH shows the best medium resistance in toluene, gasoline, and water. The addition of modified whiskers can improve the storage modulus of silicone rubber significantly, while DMA and DSC show that the addition of modified whiskers can reduce the glass transition temperature of silicone rubber. The bound rubber indicates that the interface interaction between HCSW-KH570-SH and silicone rubber is the best.     

Covalent immobilization of horseradish peroxidase via click chemistry and its direct electrochemistry

A simple and versatile approach for covalent immobilization of redox protein on solid surface via self-assembled technique and click chemistry is reported. The alkynyl-terminated monolayers are obtained by self-assembled technique, then, azido-horseradish peroxidase (azido-HRP) was covalent immobilized onto the formed monolayers by click reaction. The modified process is characterized by reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIR), surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy (SERS) and electrochemical methods. All the experimental results suggest that HRP is immobilized onto the electrode surface successfully without denaturation. Furthermore, the immobilized HRP shows electrocatalytic reduction for H₂O₂, and the linear range is from 5.0 to 700 μM. The heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant k_s is 1.11 s⁻¹ and the apparent Michaelis-Menten constant is calculated to be 0.196 mM.