CHED 327 |
| Evanescent wave biosensors are capable of real-time, ultra-sensitive detection of biomolecules without pre-tagging the analyte of interest. Traditionally, sensing occurs through chemical recognition, where selective binding of analyte material to the sensor surface results in detectable changes to the surface plasmon resonance. This study aims to augment chemical ligation through incorporating a capacity for size-selectivity onto the sensor surface. This novel combination of both chemical and physical molecular recognition aims to enhance the sensitivity and selectivity when screening complex biological mixtures. Physical nanostructuring of plasmonic sensor surfaces was achieved using a robust microfabrication process. Composite thin films of polystyrene star-polymers and silicate precursors were first spun onto a stabilized gold-coated substrate. Subsequent vitrification, resulting in concomitant immolation of the star-polymer porogen, produced a random porous surface morphology onto the sensor surface. Analyte specific tailoring of the chemical and physical molecular recognition elements formed from this general process are in progress. |
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Nanotechnology
11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |