Reversibly immobilized biological materials in monolayer films on electrodes

• US 5,208,154 A
• Filed: 04/08/1991
• Issued: 05/04/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United States Department of Energy
• Original Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Department Of Energy
• Inventors: Frank, Arthur J., Weaver, Paul F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Naff, David M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Weber, Jon P.
• Application Number:
  US07/681,298
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 435/817, 435/176, 435/174, 435/177, 435/180, 435/261, 435/815, 204/403
• US Class Current: 435/176
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 11/00 Carrier-bound or immobilised enzymes; Carrier-bound or immobilised microbial cells; Preparation thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 11/082 obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/001 Enzyme electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5438 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/815 by sorption
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/817 Enzyme or microbe electrode

Abstract

Methods and techniques are described for reversibly binding charged biological particles in a fluid medium to an electrode surface. The methods are useful in a variety of applications. The biological materials may include microbes, proteins, and viruses. The electrode surface may consist of reversibly electroactive materials such as polyvinylferrocene, silicon-linked ferrocene or quinone.

Claims

1. A method for reversibly binding negatively charged biological particles in a liquid medium at neutral pH to an electrode surface, wherein said particles are selected from the group consisting of microbial cells and proteins the method comprising the steps of:

(a) treating said electrode surface with an electrochemically active material selected from the group consisting of polyvinylferrocene, silicon-linked ferrocene and quinone;

(b) connecting said electrode to an electrical potential;

wherein said electrical potential induces a positive charge on said electrochemically active material; and

(c) exposing said medium to said electrode surface in a manner such that said charged particles are adsorbed on said electrode surface.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, comprising the further step of changing said electrical potential to cause release of said particles from said electrode surface.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said liquid comprises water.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said electrode surface is planar.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said electroactive material consists of polyvinylferrocene or silicon-linked ferrocene.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said electrode surface is made of a material that is selected from the group consisting of tin oxide-coated glass and carbon.

7. A method in accordance with claim 3, wherein said charged particles comprise proteins.