Lectin-functionalized poly(glycidyl methacrylate)-block-poly(vinyldimethyl azlactone) surface scaffolds for high avidity microbial capture

Biomacromolecules. 2013 Oct 14;14(10):3742-8. doi: 10.1021/bm4011358. Epub 2013 Sep 25.

Abstract

Microbial exopolysaccharides (EPS) play a critical and dynamic role in shaping the interactions between microbial community members and their local environment. The capture of targeted microbes using surface immobilized lectins that recognize specific extracellular oligosaccharide moieties offers a nondestructive method for functional characterization of EPS content. In this report, we evaluate the use of the block copolymer, poly(glycidyl methacrylate)-block-4,4-dimethyl-2-vinylazlactone (PGMA-b-PVDMA), as a surface scaffold for lectin-specific microbial capture. Three-dimensional polymer films were patterned on silicon substrates to provide discrete, covalent coupling sites for Triticum vulgare and Lens culinaris lectins. This material increased the number of Pseudomonas fluorescens microbes captured by up to 43% compared to control scaffolds that did not contain the copolymer. These results demonstrate that PGMA-b-PVDMA scaffolds provide a platform for improved microbe capture and screening of EPS content by combining high avidity lectin surfaces with three-dimensional surface topography.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Lens Plant / chemistry*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Particle Size
  • Plant Lectins / chemistry*
  • Plant Lectins / metabolism*
  • Polymethacrylic Acids / chemistry
  • Polymethacrylic Acids / metabolism*
  • Polyvinyls / chemistry
  • Polyvinyls / metabolism*
  • Pseudomonas fluorescens / isolation & purification*
  • Surface Properties
  • Triticum / chemistry*

Substances

  • Plant Lectins
  • Polymethacrylic Acids
  • Polyvinyls