8.4 Area-Selective Functionalization of Block Copolymer-Based …
161
derivatized by covalent coupling reactions with a range of amino-functionalized
(bio)molecules. Combined with reactive microcontact printing and dip-pen nanolithography techniques, it was shown that area-selective functionalization of nanopatterned block copolymer films with biomolecules may become possible in the near
future. Therefore, the polymer thin film platforms investigated herein will likely
provide the opportunity to study a broad variety of surface-mediated biological
recognition processes.
8.5 Outlook
As outlined in the introductory chapters, the combination of “bottom-up” selfassembly approaches and “top-down” lithographic and scanned probe-based techniques may contribute to the development of future generations of biosensors,
genomics and proteomics platforms [29], fundamental cell biology research [30], as
well as pharmaceutical screening processes and panel immunoassays [29]. The basic
aspects of “functional biointerfaces” based on two novel polymeric thin film systems
have been tested and the requirements identified have been in large parts successfully
implemented. Even though the rigorous testing using a large range of proteins and
different types of cells was not within the scope of this book, as were detailed investigations of complementary bioconjugation schemes, such as those summarized in
Chap. 2, the concept of combined bottom-up/top-down array approach based on the
self-assembly of block copolymers has been shown to be a viable route. Future work
certainly needs to address these issues, as well as a range of other open questions,
which include the formation of block copolymer platforms that expose the two blocks
at the surface, preferentially under conditions of thermodynamic equilibrium. Long
range order of the domains, site selective derivatization and analysis, and in particular
massively parallel processing are further aspects that will require focused attention,
if these approaches are to be developed further. Besides these targeted aspects, the
results may contribute to help solving parts of the problems associated with today’s
DNA and bio chip technologies that are, contrary to common belief, not yet fully
established and approved.
8.6 Experimental Section
Materials: PS 690 -b-PtBA 1210 diblock copolymer was purchased from Polymer
Source Company (Dorval, Canada) and was used as received. The molar mass and
polydispersity are 202.4 kg/mol and 1.03, respectively. Cyclohexane (Aldrich) and
fluoresceinamine (Molecular Probes) were used as received. Bovine serum albumin
(BSA) with Alexa Fluor® 594 conjugate was bought from Molecular Probes and
used as received.
161
derivatized by covalent coupling reactions with a range of amino-functionalized
(bio)molecules. Combined with reactive microcontact printing and dip-pen nanolithography techniques, it was shown that area-selective functionalization of nanopatterned block copolymer films with biomolecules may become possible in the near
future. Therefore, the polymer thin film platforms investigated herein will likely
provide the opportunity to study a broad variety of surface-mediated biological
recognition processes.
8.5 Outlook
As outlined in the introductory chapters, the combination of “bottom-up” selfassembly approaches and “top-down” lithographic and scanned probe-based techniques may contribute to the development of future generations of biosensors,
genomics and proteomics platforms [29], fundamental cell biology research [30], as
well as pharmaceutical screening processes and panel immunoassays [29]. The basic
aspects of “functional biointerfaces” based on two novel polymeric thin film systems
have been tested and the requirements identified have been in large parts successfully
implemented. Even though the rigorous testing using a large range of proteins and
different types of cells was not within the scope of this book, as were detailed investigations of complementary bioconjugation schemes, such as those summarized in
Chap. 2, the concept of combined bottom-up/top-down array approach based on the
self-assembly of block copolymers has been shown to be a viable route. Future work
certainly needs to address these issues, as well as a range of other open questions,
which include the formation of block copolymer platforms that expose the two blocks
at the surface, preferentially under conditions of thermodynamic equilibrium. Long
range order of the domains, site selective derivatization and analysis, and in particular
massively parallel processing are further aspects that will require focused attention,
if these approaches are to be developed further. Besides these targeted aspects, the
results may contribute to help solving parts of the problems associated with today’s
DNA and bio chip technologies that are, contrary to common belief, not yet fully
established and approved.
8.6 Experimental Section
Materials: PS 690 -b-PtBA 1210 diblock copolymer was purchased from Polymer
Source Company (Dorval, Canada) and was used as received. The molar mass and
polydispersity are 202.4 kg/mol and 1.03, respectively. Cyclohexane (Aldrich) and
fluoresceinamine (Molecular Probes) were used as received. Bovine serum albumin
(BSA) with Alexa Fluor® 594 conjugate was bought from Molecular Probes and
used as received.