Characterization specific and non-specific binding of Neutravidin thin-film formations on self-assembled monolayers.

<p>Design of a semiconducting Bio-Wire developed from Silane Self-Assembled Monolayers, Neutravidin bio-films, and Carbon nanomaterials. The development of Self-Assembled Monolayers and highly specific Neutravidin bio-films have been characterized. </p>

Characterization specific and non-specific binding of Neutravidin thin-film formations on self-assembled monolayers.

Towards the goal of developing bio-chip/lab-on-a-chip substrates capable of performing highly specific bio-chemical reactions, Neutravidin binding to mixed Biotinylated Silane Self-Assembled Monolayers were studied using Confocal Fluorescence Light Microscopy. Non-specific bindings, specifically the formations of Neutravidin clusters, were quantified. Several experiments were conducted to determine the concentrations of Neutravidin necessary to not saturate surface binding to Biotinylated Self-Assembled Monolayers, determine the effectiveness of using FBS blocking buffers to reduce non-specific binding, optimize the repeatability of Neutravidin binding to Biotinlyated mixed Self-Assembled Monolayers with Silane-PEG-Biotin compositions ranging from 0 to 15%, and quantify background Neutravidin bindings and the corresponding formations of Neutravidin clusters to Self-Assembled Monolayers as Silane-PEG-Biotin percent compositions increase from 0 to 15%. The Neutravidin, Silane-PEG-Biotin, and Silane mPEG concentrations and ratios needed to develop homogeneous Neutravidin films, without the formations of clusters, on the Self-Assembled Monolayers have been determined.