Biomolecule Surface-functionalized Vesicles

Figure 6.3 Routes for surface modification of polymersomes with biofunctionalities by (A) end-group functionalization of block copolymers before self-assembly, (B) biomolecule conjugated hybrid block copolymers used for self-assembly, and (C) surface conjugation of biomolecules to preformed vesicles.

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) allows monitoring label-free interactions between biomolecules in real time. In SPR measurements, one of the biomolecules is immobilized on a sensor surface and the other one is transported in solution across the surface. Binding of the second biomolecule will cause an increase in mass and a proportional increase in refractive index that can be monitored. Gold surfaces are the most commonly used ones and they can be modified or functionalized for the specific binding of particular molecules. For example, biotinylated surfaces enable the immobilization of streptavidin-labeled proteins, and surfaces modified with lipophilic groups allow the immobilization of vesicles creating membrane-like structures to study protein association and dissociation with membranes. 

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