Hierarchically patterned striped phases of polymerized lipids: toward controlled carbohydrate presentation at...

Area of Science:

• Surface science
• Materials science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Complex biomolecules, such as carbohydrates, possess large molecular footprints unsuitable for standard alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers.
• Ordered monolayer lattices are crucial for structured orientation and clustering of these biomolecules.
• Striped phase monolayers offer larger, more complex lattices with anisotropic interfacial patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the use of microcontact printing for generating well-defined microscopic areas of striped phase monolayers.
• To demonstrate the controlled clustering of complex functional groups, including carbohydrates, on these patterned surfaces.
• To prototype a strategy for applications in glycobiology.

Main Methods:

• Utilized microcontact printing with modified amphiphiles (single-chain and dual-chain phospholipids) to create striped phase monolayers.
• Incorporated functional alkanes with internal diyne for photopolymerization to enhance monolayer robustness.
• Generated hierarchical molecular-scale and microscale interfacial clustering of functional ligands.

Main Results:

• Successfully generated well-defined microscopic areas of striped phases using microcontact printing.
• Demonstrated the ability to pattern amphiphiles, including a phosphoinositol with a carbohydrate headgroup.
• Achieved hierarchical clustering of functional ligands at both molecular and microscale levels.

Conclusions:

• Microcontact printing is effective for creating patterned striped phase monolayers for complex biomolecules.
• This approach enables controlled clustering of functional groups, relevant for advancing glycobiology research.
• The photopolymerization of diyne-containing monolayers enhances their stability and utility.