Dendrimer DNA Probe Assays

Our results have shown that the use of STARBURST dendrimers for the covalent coupling of the molecules of biological interest can lead to a reproduc-ibly performing product with very little impact on the biological activity of the immobilized protein. By careful optimization of the reaction parameters, it has 

The general method utilized to prepare E5-Ab solutions obviates the need for stocking large numbers of reagents which would be necessary if different activation methods were used for each antibody. A number of specific antibodies immobilized by this process have shown response similar to that of the same antibodies when adsorbed as immune complexes in the Stratus system. In addition, the dendrimer-coupled antibodies have shown dramatic improvements in sensitivity, flexibility and precision for the enzyme immunoassay system. Feasibility demonstration of an assay for DNA probes is a prelude to what can possibly be achieved with these dendrimer-based reagents. 

The methods developed by us for preparation of these dendrimer-based reagents are quite general and have the potential of application to a large variety of molecules that have utility in diagnostics, therapeutics, biocatalysis, enzymol-ogy and food processing industry. 

The author is grateful for a large number of present and former co-workers without whose help and support this work could not be possible. Special thanks are due to Drs Spencer Lin and Susan Evans for their contributions and continuous support. 

Tomalia, D. A., Naylor, A. M. and Goddard, W. A. Starburst dendrimers molecular-level control of size, shape, surface chemistry, topology and flexibility from atoms to macroscopic matter, Angexv. Chem., Int. Ed. Engl., 29,138-175 (1990). 

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