HIGH-PERFORMANCE, LOW-COST PATTERNING OF SELF-ASSEMBLED MONOLAYERS
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UCLA Technology Available For Licensing |
UCLA researchers in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering have developed a low-cost, high-efficiency, high-resolution technique for patterning self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on a silicon dioxide (SiO2) surface.
BACKGROUND:
Patterning SAMs is a critical process for drug discovery, biomaterial, and biosensor applications. In particular, SAM poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) has become known for its protein and cell repellent attributes, and is the basis for many biomedical technologies. Current shortcomings in the fabrication process of SAM PEG include:
In soft lithography technique, patterning techniques are largely limited to gold surfaces and organic solvents
In photolithography and photochemical techniques, equipment is expensive and the process tends to damage the cells and proteins involved
In direct spotting techniques, protein deposits are relatively large and difficult to control, limiting potential for high-density array formation
Non-specific binding results in decreased feature fidelity
INNOVATION:
The new patterning process has the capability to form nano-sized features of protein/cell repellant molecules over areas on the order of cm2. Because it involves inexpensive, widely-available chemicals and substances, the associated costs are significantly lower than for other techniques. By circumventing conventional lithography processes, protein denaturation caused by residual organic solvents and photoresist is no longer a concern. Non-specific binding on SAM surfaces is also virtually eliminated.
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS
- Generation of high-density protein arrays for proteomic and pharmacological screening
- Formation of cellular arrays to conduct cell-to-cell interaction experiments
- Incorporation of such arrays with microfluidic devices for real-time monitoring and automation
- Protein patterning for surface-immobilized biosensors
ADVANTAGES
- Simple and low-cost
- No cleanroom facilities required
- High-resolution patterning on a large area
- Reduction of non-specific binding by >99%
- Elimination of protein denaturation caused by photolithography
DEVELOPMENT-TO-DATE: This invention has been used in conjunction with microfluidic systems to create high-density, controlled-population bacterial arrays. It has also been employed for patterning mammalian cells for interaction studies.
For additional technical details and current licensing
availability,
please contact the following UCLA office:
UCLA Office of Intellectual Property
11000 Kinross Avenue, Suite #200
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Tel: 310-794-0558 Fax: 310-794-0638
email: ncd@research.ucla.edu
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NCD URL: http://www.research.ucla.edu/tech/ucla06-371.htm
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UCLA Technologies Available for
Licensing
http://www.research.ucla.edu/oipa/industry
Copyright © 2008 The Regents of the
University of California.
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