Patterning of Biomolecules on Surfaces

Jiang X, Xu Q, Dertinger SKW et al (2005) A general method for patterning gradients of biomolecules on surfaces using microfluidic networks. Anal Chem 77 2338-2347... 

A number of different techniques have focused on the use of photo-activated compounds and lasers for the patterning of biomolecules on electrode surfaces. A procedure has been described for the selective deposition of antibodies onto a sensor surface using biological self-assembly by photoactivation of a lig-... 

By using a pattern of two different types of biomolecules on the surface, it is possible to tailor the surface regions that are cell adhesive and cell resistant. Feng et al. showed that by covalent p,CP of chitosan onto an aldehyde-enriched glass surface followed by incubation in BSA solution, the surface will have properties for cell localization and cell growth guidance.110... 

Whitesides and coworkers combined microfluidic networks with a PDMS platform to create patterned gradients of biomolecules on a surface.121 This method involves a two-step process (1) formation of a gradient of avidin within well-defined patterns by use of microfluidic channels and (2) specific interaction between the avidin gradient pattern and biotin. Such patterns with a density gradient of immobilized biomolecules may find application in studies on cell development and function. 

With the increasing interest in and application of DNA and protein microarrays, biosensors, cell surface interactions, and biomedical implants, various systems and strategies for the immobilization and patterning of biomolecules have been developed and some have become well established. A wide diversity of chemical methods for biomolecule immobilization on inorganic substrates has been implemented by different research groups. Often, the choice of the method is a compromise between effectiveness, cost, and technology. In consideration of stability and durability of the attached biomolecules, certainly, the covalent attachment has to be preferred. 

Several methods have been developed for the patterning of biomolecules or locally modulating their activity on surfaces [10]. Local generation of bromine or chlorine can be used to inactivate immobilized enzymes. The system studied... 

Recently developed nanofabrication techniques include dip-pen nanolithography (DPN), which uses functionalized atomic force microscopy (AFM) tips to deposit biomolecules on surfaces with pattern features as small as 10 nm [68]. Used for the creation of protein nanoarrays and virus arrays, this technique can create patterns with multiple components [68,69]. Enzymes have also been selectively deposited for biochemical modification of self-assembled monolayers [70]. While nanofabrication techniques are effective for patterning two-dimensional surfaces, these methods are quite limited in terms of processing time and are not suitable for three-dimensional scaffolds. 

---