Model surfaces for probing interactions and reactivity at microbial surfaces

COLL 139

Chengzhi Cai, cai@uh.edu1, Guoting Qin, gqin@mail.uh.edu1, Michelle K. Calabretta, mcal@bioc.rice.edu2, and Alison McDermott3. (1) Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, 136 Fleming, Houston, TX 77204, (2) Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Rice University, 6100 Main St.--MS 140, Houston, TX 77005, (3) College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, 77204-2020
We have developed robust and ultrathin (<4 nm in thickness) monolayers of oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) attached on silicon substrates via Si-C bonds. These films nearly eliminate the non-specific adsorption of a wide variety of proteins and cells. These platforms are ideal for development of silicon-based biosensors and screening devices. Carbohydrates that bind E. Coli cells and oligopeptides such as defensins are incorporated to the OEG surfaces with a control on the spacing of the ligands using dendrimers and nanopatterning. We also use AFM to visualize the surfaces of immobilized E. Coli cells and are able to observe pinholes of 2.5 nm in diameter. The results on the study of the interactions of a variety of microbial cells with these model surfaces will be presented.
 

Structure, Interactions and Reactivity at Microbial Surfaces
8:30 AM-12:00 PM, Monday, 11 September 2006 Sir Francis Drake -- Windsor Room, Oral

Division of Colloid & Surface Chemistry

The 232nd ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, September 10-14, 2006