Development of a novel optical bionanosensor

We have developed a novel optical bionanosensor platform using a supported bilayer lipid membrane (SBLM), which has generic multi-analyte sensing capabilities. The SBLM is produced using a novel combination of ordered nanostructured thin film i.e. Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) and self-assembly deposition methodologies. A heptamer linear RGD (arginine-glycine-aspartate) containing peptide was covalently attached to a BODIPY (donor) lipid dye and utilised as an optical biosensor for integrin alpha(v)beta(3) loaded HUVEC's (sensitivity = 1000 cells ml(-1)). A second BODIPY (acceptor) lipid dye was integrated into the SBLM thus enabling signal amplification via a Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) mechanism. The fluidity of the bilayer was confirmed via fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) techniques and was performed without the need for fusogens.