title: Multifunctional layer-by-layer coating of digitally encoded microparticles.
abstract: In the field of medical diagnostics there is a growing need for inexpensive, accurate, and quick "multiplexing" assays. By making use of encoded microparticles, such assays allow simultaneous determination of the presence of several analytes in a biological sample. The microparticles under investigation in this study are encoded by writing a digital dot or bar code in their central plane. This study evaluates to what extent a "multifunctional" coating can be applied around the digitally encoded microparticles by the layer-by-layer (LbL) technology. We show that a LbL coating containing CrO2 nanoparticles allows (a) an optimal (optical) readout of the dot and bar codes, (b) a perfect orientation of the microparticles, necessary to be able to read the code, and (c) an optimal coupling of capture probes to the surface of the microparticles.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, University of Ghent, Harelbekestraat 72, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Stefaan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Derveaux
authors.forename: Bruno G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: De Geest
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Roelant
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Braeckmans
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Demeester
authors.forename: Stefaan C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: De Smedt
mesh_terms: D008280:Magnetics; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008863:Microspheres