For detection of low concentrations of analytes in complex biological matrices using optical biosensors, a high surface loading with capture molecules and a low nonspecific binding of nonrelevant matrix molecules are essential. To tailor biosensor surfaces in such a manner, poly(ethylene glycols) (PEG) in varying lengths were immobilised covalently onto glass-type surfaces in different mixing ratios and concentrations, and were subsequently modified with three different kinds of receptors. The nonspecific binding of a model protein (ovalbumin, OVA) and the maximum loading of the respective analytes to these prepared surfaces were monitored using label-free and time-resolved reflectometric interference spectroscopy (RIfS). The three different analytes used varied in size: 150 kDa for the anti-atrazine antibody, 60 kDa for streptavidin and 5 kDa for the 15-bp oligonucleotide. We investigated if the mixing of PEG in different lengths could increase the surface loadings of analyte mimicking a three-dimensional matrix as was found using dextrans as sensor coatings. In addition, the effect on the surface loading was investigated with regard to the size of the analyte molecule using such mixed PEGs on the sensor surface. For further characterisation of the surface coatings, polarisation modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and ellipsometry were applied.

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Five biotinylated photolabile compounds of the general structure Bt-L -NPPOC-X-L were synthesized, in which Bt represents a biotin unit, L is a 3,6-dioxa-n-octane or an n-hexane spacer, NPPOC is the photolabile protecting group 2-(2-nitrophenyl)propoxycarbonyl, and X is a thymidine unit as a representative nucleoside or a direct linkage to L , an ω-mercapto- or ω-aminohexoyl linker, for coupling to a substrate surface. These compounds served for testing the photocleavage kinetics in self-assembled monolayers on gold or glass by using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) on gold or reflectometric interference spectroscopy (RIfS) on glass, whereby the biotin moiety offered the possibility to increase the bulkiness of the leaving group by binding to streptavidin, which thereby largely enhanced the SPR or RIfS signals. The photokinetics, found to consist in a dominating fast stage and a less contributing slow stage, were quantitatively analyzed, and the quantum yield of the fast part reached values up to almost 1 in favorable cases. A direct comparison of the results from SPR and RIfS yielded almost identical results. The present investigations pave the way to in situ monitoring of the photolithographic synthesis of DNA chips.

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