We have been investigating a new nanomaterial-based optical platform for the immobilization of protease substrates for
the development of a biosensor to detect medically relevant enzymes. Metallic nanoparticles have been deposited onto
thin films and are being used for their optical properties. Two different peptide sequences have been designed as trypsin
substrates that are designed to be immobilized onto the surface of the thin films. The peptides were synthesized with a
fluorophore attached at the terminal end of the peptide to allow for fluorescence sensing. Fluorescent molecules in close
proximity to metallic elements will have their fluorescence signal quenched due to surface plasmon resonance (SPR)
effects. When the peptide is cleaved by trypsin, the fluorophore is separated, resulting in a detectable change in
fluorescence intensity.
These novel nanomaterial-based optical platforms have been fabricated using physical vapor deposition. Innovative
techniques have been invented using these machines to acquire nanoparticles in the range of a few nanometers on these
thin films. It is known that nanoparticles with dimensions less than their bandwidth display optical properties much
different from their bulk counterparts. We have immobilized the peptide substrates to the surface of the metallized thin
films so they are in close proximity with each other. Polydimethlysiloxane (PDMS) was molded to create small wells
and placed on the thin films. Fluorescent microscopy was used to image the wells as various concentrations of the
enzyme were introduced resulting in a recovery of green fluorescence from the fluorophore on the cleaved portion of the
peptide. Different size nanoparticles and different immobilization processes are being used to optimize the design of the
protease biosensor.
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