Abstract

The Simultaneous Determination of Biomolecules Binding Affinities On Multiple Varied Immobilization Surfaces

Claude Dufresne, CEO, axiVEND LLC

In many microfluidics devices, biomolecules are captured by pre-deposited proteins in channels, reaction chambers, or on microarrays. The correct immobilization of these proteins is critical to obtain the best device performance.  While many polymeric materials exist for protein immobilization, it is often quite tedious to go through a selection process.  Beyond binding capacity as a classic factor, often the orientation and functional ligand activity are more important.

This talk will present a method by which multiple polymers can be evaluated in parallel, in the same experiment.  Dozens of candidate surface binding polymeric materials are spotted on a Si/SiO2 chip, followed by spot-on-spot protein functionalization.  Target protein capture is then observed by interferometric reflectance. This allows for binding curves to be generated for each protein/surface polymer pair, in parallel, and under the same conditions.  The results are invaluable in assessing various polymeric formulations for optimal presentation of the capture molecule and its ensuing target molecule binding properties.

Since the underlying device material is covered with the binding polymer, the method described is applicable to a wide range of applications.