Functionalized thermosensitive latex particles:: Useful tools for diagnostics

This paper aims at reviewing recent work dedicated in this lab to the elaboration and applications in the biomedical domain of hydrophilic stimuli-responsive latex particles based on the use of various polyalkyl(meth)acrylamides together with functional monomers bearing bioreactive groups. At first, a brief description is provided on the synthesis of such particles, differing in their surface and internal morphology, through radical-initiated polymerization processes in heterogeneous media. Then, it is shown that several colloidal properties of these particles drastically change, not only as a function of temperature, but also vs. pH and salinity. Knowledge of these characteristics is a prerequisite for optimal control of the immobilization of various biologically-active macromolecules, mostly by covalent binding. Finally, some applications of these particles are described, especially for improving sensitivity in gene diagnostics or for the separation and concentration of biomolecules.