Characterisation of biologically functionalised surfaces

Cotton, Christopher Mark (1999) Characterisation of biologically functionalised surfaces. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The work presented in this thesis investigates a number of the issues relating to biosensor technology, in particular the controlled design of bioelectronic interfaces. Initially, the ability to produce mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiols on gold is investigated. Using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) it is demonstrated, that through the displacement of a previously adsorbed monolayer by incubation in a secondary thiol (bearing an alternative headgroup) the degree of head-group functionality of a gold surface can be controlled. The interpretation of these XPS spectra also allows for the proposal of a mechanism by which this displacement may occur. Having shown that the headgroup functionality of a gold surface can be controlled in this manner, these methods are used to manipulate molecular recognition at electrode surfaces in a variety of manners. Mixed monolayers are used to control electron transfer reactions between the redox protein cytochrome c, as well as controlling the immobilisation of a variety of proteins to the electrode surface. In this fashion the fabrication of protein gradients is demonstrated. In addition to the use of SAMs protein gradients are also constructed by the manipulation of the competition of biotin and biotinylated proteins, for the biotin binding sites of immobilised avidin. In the final chapter, both photolithographic and non-photolithographic methods are used to fabricate micro-electrodes and micro-electrode arrays, suitable for application to high through put micro-electrochemical assays, where the effective immobilisation of proteins could be used to increase sensitivity and improve detection limits.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Biomedical engineering.
• Subjects: T Technology > T Technology (General)
• Colleges/Schools: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering
• Supervisor's Name: Cooper, Professor Jon
• Date of Award: 1999
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1999-71279
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 10 May 2019 10:49
• Last Modified: 01 Nov 2022 13:52
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.71279
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/71279