title: Protein engineering for directed immobilization.
abstract: Much effort has been put into the optimization of the functional activity of proteins. For biosensors this protein functional optimization will increase the biosensor's sensitivity and/or selectivity. However, the strategy chosen for the immobilization of the proteins to the sensor surface might be equally important for the development of sensor surfaces that are optimally biologically active. Several studies published in recent years show that the oriented immobilization of the bioactive molecules improves the sensor's properties. In this review, we discuss the state of the art of the different protein immobilization strategies that are commonly used today with a special focus on biosensor applications. These strategies include nonspecific immobilization techniques either by physical adsorption, by covalent coupling, or by specific immobilization via site-specifically introduced tags or bio-orthogonal chemistry. The different tags and bio-orthogonal chemistry available and the techniques to site-specifically introduce these groups in proteins are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Biomolecule Design Group (BDG), Institute for Materials Research (IMO), Chemistry Division, Hasselt University , Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Steen Redeker
authors.forename: Duy Tien
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Ta
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cortens
authors.forename: Brecht
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Billen
authors.forename: Wanda
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Guedens
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Adriaensens
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D055767:Immobilized Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015202:Protein Engineering
chemical_list: D055767:Immobilized Proteins