Attaching biomolecules to synthetic surfaces without damaging them and impacting their performance remains a challenge. A chelation based approach, suitable for virtually all surfaces including biosensors is introduced and data on two bead based immunoassay systems are presented.
Attaching biomolecules onto solid supports is a necessary step in developing immunoassays for cancer research. However, direct immobilization of antibodies to synthetic surfaces, e.g. plastics, can damage proteins and adversely impact both their structure and function. New generation materials, miniaturization, and increasingly complex assay platforms continue to challenge the conventional methods, such as passive adsorption and covalent binding.
Anteo Technologies has developed an alternative approach that utilizes a metal polymer, chelation-based surface chemistry: Mix&Go™. This approach relies on cationic metal polymers in aqueous solution that bind to synthetic surfaces with electron donating potential, resulting in the formation of nanometer thin coatings that are very strong and stable. The polymeric metal ions of Mix&Go chelate and bind by avidity to both the surface and to biomolecules, thereby acting as a molecular velcro.
This approach is fast and easy and allows the development of bead based immunoassays without the need to tailor the coupling for each biomolecule. A 5-plex cytokine immunoassay was developed using this method by coupling off the shelf reagents in less than one month. The resulting assay compares well to commercially available multiplex kits.
The main advantages found with this unique approach are improved sensitivity, dynamic range, a simple and easy to use protocol that can be done in less time compared with the conventional coupling approach.
As well as immunoassay development, other assay formats may be used with this technique. A bio purification assay was also developed using this method and shows greater recovery of the target protein compared to commercially available particles.