A rapid and practical technique for real-time monitoring of biomolecular interactions using mechanical responses of macromolecules.
Monitoring biological reactions using the mechanical response of macromolecules is an alternative approach to immunoassays for providing real-time information about the underlying molecular mechanisms. Although force spectroscopy techniques, e.g. AFM and optical tweezers, perform precise molecular measurements at the single molecule level, sophisticated operation prevent their intensive use for systematic biosensing. Exploiting the biomechanical assay concept, we used micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS) to develop a rapid platform for monitoring bio/chemical interactions of bio macromolecules, e.g. DNA, using their mechanical properties. The MEMS device provided real-time monitoring of reaction dynamics without any surface or molecular modifications. A microfluidic device with a side opening was fabricated for the optimal performance of the MEMS device to operate at the air-liquid interface for performing bioassays in liquid while actuating/sensing in air. The minimal immersion of the MEMS device in the channel provided long-term measurement stability (>10 h). Importantly, the method allowed monitoring effects of multiple solutions on the same macromolecule bundle (demonstrated with DNA bundles) without compromising the reproducibility. We monitored two different types of effects on the mechanical responses of DNA bundles (stiffness and viscous losses) exposed to pH changes (2.1 to 4.8) and different Ag(+) concentrations (1 μM to 0.1 M).
CIRMM, Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.|LIMMS/CNRS-IIS, UMI 2820, Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Mehmet C
MC
Tarhan
LIMMS/CNRS-IIS, UMI 2820, Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Nicolas
N
Lafitte
LIMMS/CNRS-IIS, UMI 2820, Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.|LMI, UMR 5615, University of Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France.
Yannick
Y
Tauran
LIMMS/CNRS-IIS, UMI 2820, Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Laurent
L
Jalabert
CIRMM, Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Momoko
M
Kumemura
LIMMS/CNRS-IIS, UMI 2820, Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.|IEMN, UMR 8520, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France.
Grégoire
G
Perret
CIRMM, Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Beomjoon
B
Kim
CIRMM, Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.|LMI, UMR 5615, University of Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France.
Anthony W
AW
Coleman
CIRMM, Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Hiroyuki
H
Fujita
CIRMM, Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.|LIMMS/CNRS-IIS, UMI 2820, Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Dominique
D
Collard
D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D055617:Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*
D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D004247:DNA