Paving the way: Immobilization of proteins on nanoporous substrates

SAMIR A. BHAKTA; TOMÁS E. BENAVIDEZ; CARLOS D. GARCIA

San Antonio, Texas

Conferencia; College of Sciences, Research Conference; 2013

The University of Texas at San Antonio

A critical step for the development of biosensors is the immobilization of the biorecognition element to the surface of the transducer. Among other materials that can be used as substrates, block copolymers and their nanoporous structurehave the potential to provide significant advantages for the immobilization of proteins. Therefore, this manuscript describes the fabrication and characterization of thin-films of polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP). Upon the development of a model to describe their optical propertieg the substrates are used to investigate the role of surface topography on the adsorption of glucose oxidase, a model enzyme for the development of biosensors. According to the results presented, the nanoporous films provide significant increase in surface area and the characterization of the substrateenzymeinterface allows understanding of the surface (material, geometry, and density of pores), protein structure (size, charge, and flexibility) and adsorption conditions (pH, ionic strengttg and protein concentration) required to improve the catalytic activity and stability of the enzymes.