Polymer Technology Expands 3-D Microarry Surfaces

New reverse phase polymerization technology offers the ability to control and optomize each key attibute of a microarray surface, including density, diffusivity, and uniformity.

The quality of the slide coating determines the quality of the data ultimately obtainable from the array. This polymer surface technology provides for unparalleled sensitivity and dynamic range, says STS Biopolymers (Henrietta, NY, USA), which developed the technology. With current 2-D microarray technology, the restricted density of the probe reactive groups and the surface non-uniformity on the slide surface limit assay performance. Recently developed 3-D microarray surfaces provide for higher probe density but the cross-linking of polymers restricts surface diffusivity and target binding.

STS Biopolymers' Graft-Coat technology provides a 3-D surface without cross-linking, capturing all of the advantages without the disadvantages encountered by earlier technologies. Each polymer chain, which is covalently bound to the slide surface, contains structural modifiers to stabilize the graft and to permit complete control over the hydrogel microenvironments.

"This technology can be used with any application, including genomics, proteomics, drug discovery, diagnostics, and chemical synthesis. This control ensures that the surface-bound capture molecules are accessible and present at the concentration desired for each particular application,” said Dr. Michale Violante, vice president of STS Biopolymers.




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