Biocompatible polymers for antibody support on gold surfaces

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Surface Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Non-specific protein adsorption from serum interferes with Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) sensor accuracy.
• Minimizing this adsorption is crucial for reliable in vitro and in vivo biological analysis.
• Current coatings like carboxymethylated-dextran (CM-dextran) have limitations in stability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and evaluate biocompatible polymers as alternatives to CM-dextran for SPR sensors.
• To minimize non-specific protein adsorption from serum while maintaining or improving analyte signal.
• To assess the stability and performance of these polymers as antibody immobilization matrices.

Main Methods:

• A survey of eight biocompatible polymers and ten molecular weights of CM-dextran was conducted.
• Non-specific protein adsorption was measured over 14 days at 0°C for each polymer.
• Calibration curves were constructed to evaluate performance and detection limits.

Main Results:

• Up to 73% reduction in non-specific protein adsorption from serum was achieved compared to CM-dextran.
• Biocompatible polymers demonstrated greater stability against non-specific binding in serum.
• CM-dextran provided the largest signal for antigen detection, but with less stability.

Conclusions:

• Biocompatible polymers offer effective alternatives to CM-dextran for SPR sensors.
• These polymers enhance sensor stability by minimizing non-specific protein adsorption.
• The study introduces novel antibody supports for optical and surface active sensors.