Thesis

Raman spectroscopy and dip-pen nanolithography for detection and control of biological interactions

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Awarding institution
  • University of Strathclyde
Date of award
  • 2013
Thesis identifier
  • T13638
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Abstract
  • The ability to monitor, control and manipulate the behaviour of biomolecules is invaluable for the understanding of biological processes. Sensitive and high-throughput detection of proteins in biological fluids can allow the development of biomarkers for early disease diagnosis, an understanding of disease processes, and improvement in drug development. Furthermore, the ability to control cellular interactions on a surface can be applied for the development of medical devices and technology. The research presented herein shows that by introducing resonance Raman scattering (RRS) as the detection method in a conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we can detect biomarkers with a detection limit up to fifty times lower than that of the traditional colorimetric detection. Human blood serum samples were analysed using this method, proving that it would be suitable for use in a clinical environment. The detection method is also easily applied to alternative ELISA systems and for the detection of any number of target analytes. Dip-pen nanolithography (DPN) was used to fabricate prostate-specific antigen (PSA) immunoassay arrays with low end micron scale feature sizes, which were subsequently detected using RRS. The combination of the advantages of DPN with the RRS detection method introduces a sensitive, robust and high-throughput platform for the detection of biomarkers, which should be easily developed into a multiple target assay. For the control of cellular interactions, polymer arrays were fabricated which were shown to undergo changes in response to varying temperature. Characterisation of the thermoresponsive substrates by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman scattering showed changes in the topography and hydration state, respectively. Preliminary cell experiments indicated that the surfaces were biocompatible and that the behaviour of cells could potentially be controlled by altering properties of the arrays. Overall, this thesis highlights the strengths of Raman spectroscopy and DPN, individually and as complementary techniques, for use in biomedical applications.
Resource Type
DOI
Date Created
  • 2013
Former identifier
  • 1004582

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