Functionalized hydrogel surfaces for the patterning of multiple biomolecules.

Patterning of multiple proteins and enzymes onto biocompatible surfaces can provide multiple signals to control cell attachment and growth. Acrylamide-based hydrogels were photo-polymerized in the presence of streptavidin-acrylamide, resulting in planar gel surfaces functionalized with the streptavidin protein. This surface was capable of binding biotin-labeled biomolecules.

Biological functionalization and surface micropatterning of polyacrylamide hydrogels.

Hydrogels are useful for linking proteins to solid surfaces because their hydrophilic nature and porous structure help them to maintain these labile molecules in the native functional state. We have developed a method for creating surface-patterned, biofunctionalized hydrogels on glass or silicon, using polyacrylamide and the disulfide-containing polyacrylamide crosslinker, bis(acryloyl)cystamine. Treatment with a reducing agent created reactive sulfhydryl (-SH) groups throughout these hydrogels that were readily conjugated to iodoacetyl biotin and streptavidin (SA).