Surface-Anchored Thiol-Reactive Soft Interfaces: Engineering Effective Platforms for Biomolecular Immobilization and...

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Surface Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Biofouling presents challenges in biomolecular immobilization and sensing.
• Developing reactive surfaces for controlled biomolecule attachment is crucial for biotechnological applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based copolymers for creating reactive polymeric coatings.
• To establish facile and tunable surface functionalization strategies for biomolecular immobilization and sensing.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of PEG-based copolymers with alkoxysilyl and furan-protected maleimide groups.
• Surface coating onto Si/SiO2 or glass, followed by thermal activation of maleimide groups.
• Surface characterization using FTIR, contact angle goniometry, ellipsometry, and XPS.
• Functionalization via thiol-maleimide conjugation with fluorescent dyes and biotin.
• Spatially controlled modification using microcontact printing.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of copolymers and fabrication of reactive surfaces.
• Demonstrated facile surface modification and tunable immobilization of a fluorescent dye (BODIPY-SH) and biotin.
• Achieved spatially localized surface modification via microcontact printing.
• Eliminated nonspecific protein binding by neutralizing residual reactive groups.
• Quantified protein immobilization (Streptavidin) and showed tunability based on surface composition.

Conclusions:

• Developed versatile, reactive polymeric coatings with tunable functionalization capabilities.
• Demonstrated the potential for controlled biomolecular immobilization and sensing using these surfaces.
• Highlighted the utility of these platforms for various biotechnological applications requiring precise surface engineering.