title: Entrapment of biomolecules in sol-gel matrix for applications in biosensors: problems and future prospects.
abstract: An emerging area that has attracted increased attention in recent years is the development of biosensors based on sol-gel-derived platforms which must be predicated on an understanding of the short and long-term interactions between the biorecognition elements and evolving sol-gel matrix. This review focuses on the growing field of entrapment of biomolecules such as proteins, enzymes and antibodies in sol-gel matrices prepared from alkoxide precursors. Basic aspects of sol-gel, its advantages and disadvantages, factor affecting the sol-gel-derived thin films, strategies for improving entrapment of biomolecules in sol-gel materials and their organic modifications are discussed. Organically modified silane precursors have the ability to tune physical and chemical properties with desired characteristics of sol-gel preparations by simply changing different precursors and their molar ratio. The usefulness of optical method especially time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy for the characterization of internal environment of sol-gel as well as dynamics of proteins within the sol-gel is highlighted. Significance and designing of new biocompatible sol-gel precursors with the purpose of making the glassy matrix more compatible with entrapped biomolecules has been described. Considerable attention has been drawn on problems and future prospects of sol-gel matrix for entrapment of biomolecules for applications in biosensors.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biocybernetics, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, Delhi 110054, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Chaudhury
mesh_terms: D001681:Biological Assay / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*; D001704:Biopolymers / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry; D005544:Forecasting; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry*; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*
chemical_list: D001704:Biopolymers; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D005782:Gels