Abstract
We propose surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonators as a complementary tool for conditioning film monitoring. Conditioning films are formed by adsorption of inorganic and organic substances on a substrate the moment this substrate comes into contact with a liquid phase. In the case of implant insertion, for instance, initial protein adsorption is required to start wound healing, but it will also trigger immune reactions leading to inflammatory responses. The control of the initial protein adsorption would allow to promote the healing process and to suppress adverse immune reactions. Methods to investigate these adsorption processes are available, but it remains difficult to translate measurement results into actual protein binding events. Biosensor transducers allow user-friendly investigation of protein adsorption on different surfaces. The combination of several transduction principles leads to complementary results, allowing a more comprehensive characterization of the adsorbing layer. We introduce SAW resonators as a novel complementary tool for time-resolved conditioning film monitoring. SAW resonators were coated with polymers. The adsorption of the plasma proteins human serum albumin (HSA) and fibrinogen onto the polymer-coated surfaces were monitored. Frequency results were compared with quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor measurements, which confirmed the suitability of the SAW resonators for this application.
Highlights
Biofilms are aggregates of microorganisms that can be found ubiquitously at interfaces as long a sufficient amount of humidity is provided
The adsorption of the plasma proteins human serum albumin (HSA) and fibrinogen on parylene C was monitored with parylene C coated surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator sensors (Figure 6) as well as with parylene C coated quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensors (Figure 7)
The SAW resonators and the QCM sensors showed opposite frequency signal responses resulting from protein adsorbing on the sensor surface
Summary
Biofilms are aggregates of microorganisms that can be found ubiquitously at interfaces as long a sufficient amount of humidity is provided. As different sensors respond to different effects, a combination of several transduction principles should result in complementary information, allowing a more comprehensive characterization of the adsorbing protein layer This has been shown, for instance, by combining QCM with optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy (OWLS) and ellipsometry and by combining SPR, QCM, surface acoustic wave (SAW), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) for time-resolved in situ investigation of protein adsorption on Teflon AF, TiO2, and hydrophobized gold [14,24,25]. SAW resonators were coated with PMMA and PS for use in HSA adsorption measurements to show the general suitability of SAW resonators for monitoring proteinaceous conditioning film formation on polymers
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
