Abstract
We explored the potentials of microarray printing using quill-like microcantilevers onto solid supports that are typically used in microspot printing, including paper, polymeric nitrocellulose and nylon membranes. We compared these membranes with a novel porous poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) support (HEMA) with narrow pore size distribution in the 150 nm range, which demonstrated advantages in pattern definition, spot homogeneity, and consistent spot delivery of different dyes (phloxine B and bromophenol blue) with diameters of several micrometres. The bromophenol blue arrays on HEMA support were used to detect the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA). In the presence of BSA, the fluorescence spectrum observed from the bromophenol blue microarray exhibited a significant red shift of the maximum emission wavelength. Our results show that the porous HEMA substrates can improve the fidelity and quality of microarrays prepared by using the quill-like microcantilevers. The presented method sets the stage for further studies using chemical and biochemical recognition elements, along with colorimetric and fluorometric sensors that can be spotted by this method onto flat porous polymer substrates.
Highlights
Microarrays are of immense importance in many fields of biological research and medical applications in diagnostics such as the detection of pathogens or antibodies
The microarrays were fabricated by spotting the dye solution with quill-like microchannel cantilevers, called surface patterning tools (SPTs) [9], attached to a dip-pen nanolithography (DPN) platform (NLP 2000, NanoInk, USA) for precise control in x- y- and z-direction (Figure 1)
After filling of the reservoir on the SPT with the dye solution, it is brought into contact with the substrate surface for a defined dwell time to allow a flow to the substrate by capillary forces
Summary
Microarrays are of immense importance in many fields of biological research (e.g., genomics, proteomics, and cell analysis) and medical applications in diagnostics such as the detection of pathogens or antibodies. When downsizing microarrays to the lower micrometer range with spot features in the range of a few tens of micrometres, the intrinsic granularity and broad pore size distribution of these substrates impairs pattern fidelity, quality and reproducibility.
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