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Evaluation of different nonspecific binding blocking agents deposited inside poly(methyl methacrylate) microfluidic
Nam Cao Hoai Le1, Vladimir Gubala, Ram P Gandhiraman
1Biomedical Diagnostics Institute (BDI), Dublin City University, Dublin, Republic of Ireland. nam.le@csiro.au
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|June 9, 2011
Summary
Diethylene glycol dimethyl ether (DEGDME) coating offers excellent blocking and stability for poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microfluidic biosensors, outperforming other agents like BSA and DOTAP:DOPE for reliable assays.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is widely used in microfluidic devices.
- Nonspecific protein adsorption is a major challenge in biosensor development.
- Effective blocking agents are crucial for reliable microfluidic immunosensor and biosensor performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate different blocking agents for PMMA microfluidic flow-cells.
- To assess both blocking efficiency and stability of agents like BSA, DOTAP:DOPE, and DEGDME.
- To determine the optimal blocking strategy for PMMA-based biosensor applications.
Main Methods:
- Surface characterization using water contact angle (WCA) and atomic force microscopy (AFM).
- Fluorescent intensity measurements to quantify nonspecific protein adsorption (Cy5-labeled anti-IgG).
- Label-free total internal reflection ellipsometry (TIRE) to assess blocking agent stability and protein binding kinetics.
Main Results:
- DOTAP:DOPE showed superior initial blocking but poor stability, detaching and interfering with subsequent assays.
- DEGDME coating via plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) demonstrated excellent nonspecific binding blocking.
- DEGDME exhibited high stability on PMMA surfaces, making it suitable for microfluidic biosensor applications.
Conclusions:
- DEGDME is a highly effective and stable blocking agent for PMMA microfluidic devices.
- The choice of blocking agent significantly impacts biosensor performance and reliability.
- This study provides valuable insights for selecting blocking agents in PMMA-based microfluidic immunosensors and biosensors.
