Silane Linker Research Articles

A folic acid-based functionalized surface for biosensor systems

The performance of a biosensor depends largely on its interface with the biological system. This interface imparts a biologically relevant function to the device and provides a measure of specificity towards the biological analyte of interest. This paper documents the choice of folic acid as the functional component of a cantilever sensor to recognize nasopharyngeal (KB) cancer cells. A conjugation chemistry protocol has been outlined to deploy folic acid onto a titanium-coated sensor surface using a silane linker. The presence and biological activity of the sensor was verified by means of an immunospecific (ELISA) procedure. The overall performance of the folic acid-based cantilever sensor was measured using cancerous KB cell-binding experiments.

Surface functionalisation of detonation diamond suitable for biological applications

Detonation diamond is a promising material for biological applications due to its biocompatibility and fluorescence from lattice defects. Here we report on the organic functionalisation method for small detonation diamond agglomerates. After surface homogenisation by reduction and grafting of a silane linker, amino acids have been coupled to the diamond surface and the formation of a small peptide has been achieved. These novel functionalised diamond materials are potentially useful for the synthesis of surface-bound peptides and for the attachment of biologically active building blocks, which could be used in drug delivery and fluorescence marker applications.

Dendritic polymers as bonded stationary phases in capillary electrochromatography

Dendrimers are an interesting new class of polymers. Their unusual chemical and physical properties have great potential in many applications. Polyamidoamine starburst dendrimers (PAMAM-SBDs) have shown promising results as a pseudostationary phase in Micellar Electrokinetic Capillary Chromatography (MECC). However, few chromatographic applications have been explored using dendrimers. The objective of our study is to explore the potential of using poly(aryl ether) monodendrons as a bonded stationary phase in open tubular Capillary Electrochromatography (CEC). Organic materials were bonded to the interior of silica capillaries through a triethoxy(3-isocyanatopropyl)silane linker. Bonded materials included G0, G1, and G2 poly(aryl ether) monodendrons and C18 alkyl chains. The bonded materials tended to reduce the EOF, and showed promise in a number of test separations, including neutral aromatic hydrocarbons and basic proteins. This method shows promise for the development of new CEC methods for separation science.

Microcontact printing for precise control of nerve cell growth in culture.

Microcontact printing, facilitated by silane linker chemistry and high-relief stamps, creates precise patterns of proteins, which in turn control growth of hippocampal neurons in culture. This additive, multi-mask technique permits several different molecules to be patterned on the same substrate. The covalent linker technology permits relatively long-term (two-week) compliance of neurons to the stamped pattern against a polyethylene glycol background. When polylysine was stamped adjacent to a laminin/polylysine mixture, neural somata and dendrites preferred the polylysine while axons prefer the mixture or the border between the two.

Growth of Ultrathin Covalently Attached Polymer Films: Uniform Thin Films for Chemical Microsensors

A novel approach to covalently attached polymer films by surface functionalization and hydrosilylation reaction with reactive polymers on the surface is reported. Stable, uniform, and highly sensitive thin film sensors can thus be fabricated. The covalent attachment of polymer through a silane linker results in films with high uniformity, stability, and reasonable reproducibility as far as film thickness is concerned. Incorporation of molecular recognition reagents into the sensing film increases the sensor sensitivity dramatically, which is critical for detecting vapors such as certain explosives at parts per thousand or parts per billion levels. The sensors fabricated can detect o-nitrotoluene, a TNT simulant, at parts per billion concentrations.