DISAGGREGATION OF PARTICLES WITH BIOSPECIFIC INTERACTIONS IN SHEAR-FLOW

The disaggregation of biospecifically interacting particles in shear f low is studied on the basis of kinetic modeling of formation and break up of ligand-receptor bonds. The reaction rate theory is employed to i mprove earlier estimations of the critical force required to separate the surfaces. A chain of particles connected through ligand-receptor b onds responds to an external load as a contorted elastic rod. The brea kup of the many-particle aggregate is attributed to the rupture of the backbone rod-like chain of particles, The theoretical model is found to be in good agreement with our experimental data on disaggregation o f particles of latex immunoconjugates and blood platelets in shear flo w. (C) 1997 Academic Press.