Patterned self-assembled monolayers: efficient, chemically defined tools for cell biology.
Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiolates on gold can be used to carefully probe immobilized biomolecule interactions with cell-surface receptors. However, due to a lack of experimental throughput associated with labor-intensive production, specialized fabrication apparatus, and other practical challenges, alkanethiolate SAMs have not had widespread use by biological researchers. In this Minireview, we investigate a range of techniques that could enhance the throughput of SAM-based approaches by patterning substrates with arrays of different conditions. Here we highlight microfluidic, photochemical, localized removal, and backfilling techniques to locally pattern SAM substrates with biomolecules and also describe how these approaches have been applied in SAM-based screening systems. Furthermore we provide perspectives on several crucial barriers that need to be overcome to enable widespread use of SAM chemistry in biological applications.
Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, 1550 Engineering Drive, Engineering Centers Building, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
Justin T
JT
Koepsel
William L
WL
Murphy
D000473:Alkanes / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D001685:Biological Factors / Q000737:chemistry; D003585:Cell Biology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D057166:High-Throughput Screening Assays; D006801:Humans; D044085:Microfluidics; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D011327:Printing; D011485:Protein Binding; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000737:chemistry; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
D000473:Alkanes; D001685:Biological Factors; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D006046:Gold