Covalent coupling of antibodies to self-assembled monolayers of carboxy-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol): Protein resistance and specific binding of biomolecules

We report the synthesis, film formation, protein resistance, and specific antigen binding capability of a carboxy-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) alkanethiol [HOOC-CH2-(OCH2-CH2)(n)-O-(CH2)(11)-SH, n = 22-45]. Despite its polymeric character, the molecule is found to form a densely packed self-assembled monolayer on polycrystalline gold, if adsorbed from dimethylformamide solution. Due to its chain length distribution, the carboxy tailgroups are expected to be partially buried within the film and, thus, do not affect the protein repulsive characteristics of the ethylene glycol moieties when exposed to fibrinogen and immunoglobulin G (IgG). However, if activated by N-hydroxysuccinimide and N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)N-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride, antibodies can be covalently coupled to the monolayer. While resistance to nonspecific fibrinogen and IgG adsorption is maintained for this biologically active layer, it exhibits high specific antigen binding capacity. The performance of this highly selective surface is compared to that of antibody films prepared by standard aminosilane chemistry.