Arno Becker

An optical biosensor principle based on fluorescence energy transfer

Abstract The specific binding of a fluorescence-labelled mannoside to immobilized concanavalin A is detected by Forster energy transfer, where the donor fluorophore is polymer-bound in a Langmuir-Blodgett film. The applicability of this method to biosensing is discussed.

A new way of biosensing using fluorescence energy transfer and Langmuir-Blodgett films

Abstract A method of detecting the binding of ligand molecules (mannosides) to a biological receptor (Con A) by Forster energy transfer from Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films is presented. The LB films consist of pre-polymerized amphiphilic polymethacrylates containing a coumarin fluorophore (donor) and reactive groups to which biological receptors can be attached. Studies determining the stability of the system are described. The specific binding of rhodamine (acceptor)-labelled ligands and their competitive replacement by unlablled analytes is demonstrated. A simple dual-channel fluorescence detector optimized for this purpose is described as well.