Protein immobilization on surface modified latices bearing aldehyde groups

A new method for providing polymeric microspheres with aldehyde functional groups capable of covalent reaction with proteins is described. Benzyl halide groups on small molecules, polymeric resins, and the surfaces of surfactant-free poly(styrene-co-chloromethylstyrene) were converted to benzaldehyde groups by oxidation with 2-nitropropane in aqueous sodium methoxide. The modified microspheres containing aldehyde groups can be reacted with protein under milder conditions than the parent microspheres. The activity of a monoclonal antibody, Phe 1.9, was higher when it was immobilized on the aldehyde-containing beads than following immobilization on the parent beads.