Abstract
An oblique-incidence reflectivity difference (OI-RD) scanning microscope was developed for label-free detection of the formation and disintegration of micelles upon solid substrates. Micelles are made of polymers with hydrophilic heads in contact with the surrounding solvent and hydrophobic tails in the micelle center. This characteristic makes them very efficient drug carriers. Streptavidin molecules were first printed on glass slides for capturing biotinylated polymers. Micelles were formed when the concentration of polymers was higher than a critical value. The formation of micelles resulted in an increase in the oblique-incidence reflectivity difference signals. As the concentration of polymers decreased below the critical value, micelles were disintegrated, and a corresponding decrease in the oblique-incidence reflectivity difference signals was observed. This microscope was employed for the real-time monitoring of the formation and disintegration of two different micelles. The critical concentration above which micelles were formed was determined to be around 0.0006 mg/mL for micelles made of PEG5KCA8 polymers. The results suggest that this microscope would have practical application in testing the efficiency and durability of micellar drug carriers.
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