Contact: Barbara K. Kennedy
science@psu.edu
814-863-4682
Penn State

Biocapture Surfaces Produced for Study of Brain Chemistry

Caption: A single layer of molecules (red lines) that resists biomolecule binding is first self-organized on a gold substrate. This film has inherent defects and when it is placed in a solution of tether molecules (blue lines), they insert themselves into the holes. Next, bait molecules (green triangles) are linked to the tethers. When the surface is exposed to different proteins, only those with high affinity for the bait (color-coded green Y’s) bind to the surface. Spacing the molecular fishing rods at appropriate distances overcomes problems associated with selective recognition between large biomolecules and small ligands. In the example described, the small bait is serotonin, a neurotransmitter important in depression and anxiety, and the large fish are antibodies. In the future, this type of surface will be used to capture brain receptor proteins or synthetic sensors.

Credit: Penn State University

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Related news release: Biocapture surfaces produced for study of brain chemistry