Multi-layered plasma-polymerized chips for SPR-based detection.

The surface functionalization of a noble metal is crucial in a surface plasmon resonance-based biomolecular detection system because the interfacial coating must retain the activity of immobilized biomolecules while enhancing the optimal loading. We present here a one-step, room-temperature, high-speed, gas-phase plasma polymerization process for functionalizing gold substrates using siloxane as an adhesion layer and acrylic acid as a functional layer. Siloxane- and thiol-based coatings were compared for their performance as adhesion and the interfacial layer for subsequent functionalization.

Plasma functionalization of AFM tips for measurement of chemical interactions.

In this paper, a new, fast, reproducible technique for atomic force microscopy (AFM) tips functionalization used for chemical interaction measurements is described. Precisely, the deposition of an aminated precursor is performed through plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) in order to create amine functional groups on the AFM tip and cantilever. The advantages of the precursor, aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), were recently demonstrated for amine layer formation through PECVD deposition on polymeric surfaces.

Deposition of chemically reactive and repellent sites on biosensor chips for reduced non-specific binding.

The performances of new polymeric materials with excellent optical properties and good machinability have led the biomedical diagnostics industry to develop cheap disposable biosensor platforms appropriate for point of care applications. Zeonor, a type of cycloolefin polymer (COP), is one such polymer that presents an excellent platform for biosensor chips. These polymer substrates have to be modified to have suitable physico-chemical properties for immobilizing proteins.

Functionalization of cycloolefin polymer surfaces by plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition: comprehensive characterization and analysis of the contact surface and the bulk of aminosiloxane coatings.

The surface science of bioassay devices is of great importance in the development of modern diagnostic platforms. The quality of surface is one of the most important elements of the device, often governing the background response, hence controlling the sensitivity of an assay. Detailed surface characterization and analysis are imperative for the preparation of reproducible coatings with desired properties.

Reactive amine surfaces for biosensor applications, prepared by plasma-enhanced chemical vapour modification of polyolefin materials.

Here we have demonstrated a solventless plasma-based process that integrates low-cost, high throughput, high reproducibility and ecofriendly process for the functionalization of the next-generation point-of-care device platforms. Amine functionalities were deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) using a new precursor. The influence of the plasma RF power and the deposition time on surfacial properties, as well as their effect on the reactivity and content of amino groups was investigated.

Protein pattern transfer for biosensor applications.

This paper presents a very simple, industrially scalable method for transferring a high-resolution, biologically active protein pattern from one substrate to another. We demonstrate the transfer of a protein pattern formed initially by microcontact printing from a silicon surface (to which this form of printing is applicable) onto a glass or polymer substrate, almost independently of the surface/bulk properties of the second substrate. A very thin, spin-coated layer of a sugar is used to preserve the structure and organization of proteins during the subsequent plasma deposition of a siloxane polymer, after which the protein pattern could simply be peeled off the silicon substrate and glued onto any other desired substrate.

Plasma surface modification of cyclo-olefin polymers and its application to lateral flow bioassays.

The modification of cyclo-olefin polymer Zeonor by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition to form a silica-like surface and evaluation of its application for lateral flow bioassays applications are discussed in this study. The SiOx layer was extensively characterized using contact angle measurements, atomic force microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total internal reflectance mode where the presence of a uniform SiOx film was clearly identified. The SiOx modification resulted in a surface with enhanced wettability and excellent fluidic properties when combined with a hot-embossed micropillar capillary fill-based substrate.

Titanium modified with layer-by-layer sol-gel tantalum oxide and an organodiphosphonic acid: a coating for hydroxyapatite growth.

Titanium and its alloys are widely used in surgical implants due to their appropriate properties like corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, and load bearing. Unfortunately when metals are used for orthopedic and dental implants there is the possibility of loosening over a long period of time. Surface modification is a good way to counter this problem.

Surface immobilisation of antibody on cyclic olefin copolymer for sandwich immunoassay.

In this work, the surface functionalisation of the commercially available cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) materials, Zeonor and Zeonex, has been studied. The methodology employed involved oxidation in oxygen plasma, functionalisation of the oxidized surface with aminopropyl triethoxy silane and, finally, attachment of antibody using covalent linker molecules. 1,4-Phenylene diisothiocyanate was selected as the most suitable cross-linker for the attachment of protein, as assessed by fluorescent intensity measurements on immobilised FITC-labelled IgG antibody.

Morphology of polystyrene films deposited by RF plasma.

A new plasma reactor, set up with a large planar inductively coupled source, is used for the first time to deposit a polymer coating (pPS) from a styrene monomer. This work is devoted to the relationship between external plasma parameters and substrate topography, and pPS coating morphology, which is investigated by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Stainless steel, gold and glass surfaces are used as substrates.

Adsorption properties of the penicillin derivative DTPA on gold substrates.

Despite the large number of articles and patents dealing with penicillin and other beta-lactam antibiotics, there have been no reports about the self-assembly of such substances as monolayers on gold surfaces. The main reason stems from the high reactivity of the beta-lactam ring, which hinders the development of molecules possessing this entity together with a metal-anchoring function. Herein, we present the synthesis of a novel molecule, 6-[(R,S)-5-(1,2-dithiolan-3-yl)pentanoyl-amino]-penicillanic acid, which combines the beta-lactam ring and a metal-anchoring group.

Influence of DNA condensation state on transfection efficiency in DNA/polymer complexes: an AFM and DLS comparative study.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is used to describe the formation process of polymer/DNA complexes. Two main objectives of this research are presented. The first one is to apply AFM as an effective tool to analyse DNA molecules and different polycation/DNA complexes in order to evaluate their degree of condensation (size and shape).

Use of specific functionalised tips with STM: a new identification method of ester groups and their molecular structure in self-assembled overlayers.

The influence of chemical modification of scanning tunnelling microscopy tips on image contrast is studied. This technique is applied to the identification of an ester functional group, hardly visible otherwise. Self-assembled overlayers of wax esters [CH3-(CH2)14-CO-O-(CH2)15-CH3], adsorbed at the interface between highly oriented pyrolitic graphite and a solution of phenyloctane, are imaged.

Electronic and molecular properties of an adsorbed protein monolayer probed by two-color sum-frequency generation spectroscopy.

Two-color sum-frequency generation spectroscopy (2C-SFG) is used to probe the molecular and electronic properties of an adsorbed layer of the green fluorescent protein mutant 2 (GFPmut2) on a platinum (111) substrate. First, the spectroscopic measurements, performed under different polarization combinations, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) show that the GFPmut2 proteins form a fairly ordered monolayer on the platinum surface. Next, the nonlinear spectroscopic data provide evidence of particular coupling phenomena between the GFPmut2 vibrational and electronic properties.