Mannose-Decorated Stimuli-Responsive Fluorescent Poly(aminoamide) Microgels for Lectin Binding and Sensing

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Developing carbohydrate-decorated, biocompatible, and stimuli-responsive fluorescent microgels for selective protein detection is crucial.
• Lectins, like concanavalin A (Con A), are important targets for protein detection due to their roles in biological processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop mannose-decorated, dual-stimuli (temperature and pH)-responsive fluorescent poly(aminoamide) microgels.
• To demonstrate the selective binding and detection of concanavalin A (Con A) using these microgels.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of mannose-decorated poly(aminoamide) microgels.
• Characterization of microgel stimuli-responsiveness (temperature and pH).
• Fluorescence quenching assays to study Con A binding kinetics and affinity.

Main Results:

• The microgels exhibited a lower critical solution temperature (VPTT) of 37.4 °C and broad pH responsiveness.
• Robust multivalent interactions were observed between the microgels and Con A.
• Rapid Con A detection within 8 minutes, with a low detection limit of 15 nM and a binding constant (Kd) of 3.77 × 10^6 M^-1.

Conclusions:

• The developed microgels are effective tools for the selective and sensitive detection of concanavalin A.
• The dual-stimuli responsiveness and rapid detection capabilities make these microgels promising for biosensing applications.