title: Plasma immersion ion implantation treatment of polyethylene for enhanced binding of active horseradish peroxidase.
abstract: Robust attachment of active proteins to synthetic surfaces underpins the development of biosensors and protein arrays. This paper presents the results of experiments in which energetic ions, extracted from an inductively coupled nitrogen plasma, are used to modify the surface of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The ability of the surface to bind active horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is significantly enhanced by the plasma treatment. The amide signal in infrared spectroscopy indicates an increased quantity of surface-attached protein on the modified surface. The activity of the bound HRP remains high compared with that of protein attached to the untreated surface, after repeated washing in buffer solution. Although Tween 20 was an effective blocking agent for the unmodified polyethylene surface, binding of HRP to the modified surface is not inhibited by its presence. We propose that the treatment produces new binding sites on the surface and that the function of the HRP is retained because the treated surface is substantially more hydrophilic.
authors.affiliation: Applied and Plasma Physics, School of Physics (A28), The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Gan
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Nosworthy
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: McKenzie
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Dos Remedios
authors.forename: M M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Bilek
mesh_terms: D001665:Binding Sites; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods; D004800:Enzymes, Immobilized / Q000737:chemistry*; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase / Q000737:chemistry*; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000737:chemistry*; D011485:Protein Binding; D013499:Surface Properties