M. Vidal et al., Fluorescence IgG immunosensor based on a micro flow cell containing controlled pore glass as immobilisation support, ANALYST, 125(8), 2000, pp. 1387-1391
Biosensor miniaturisation often requires the construction of micro volume c
ells using micro-machining techniques. In this work, a micro flow cell made
of a transparent polymer [poly(methyl methacrylate)] developed for using w
ith a fluorescence immunoglobulin G (IgG) immunosensor is described. The mi
cro flow cell provides space to enclose a small amount of controlled pore g
lass (CPG), a transparent support that can host and covalently bind the bio
molecules. The immobilisation of IgG on CPG permits the development of an o
ptical immunosensor for the detection of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-
labelled anti-IgG. In this immunosensor the excitation light is provided by
an argon ion laser and guided by an optical fibre to the flow cell, where
the fluorescence signal is filtered by a long-pass barrier filter (OG515) a
nd then detected by a close positioned photodiode. This signal was found to
be proportional to the amount of anti-IgG-FITC bound to the immobilised Ig
G during a direct immunochemical reaction. Characterisation of the CPG as a
n optical medium and immobilisation support was performed. CPG produces int
ense light scattering and good permeability to fluids, and also a typical i
mmobilisation rate for IgG of about 90% of the initial amount of antibody.
The described immunosensor shows a detection limit for anti-IgG-FITC of 6.3
nM and a sensitivity of 9.5 mu V nM(-1). This immunoptode developed with a
micro flow cell has been shown to be a suitable system for the detection o
f immunoglobulins.