Microarrays have become routine in clinical and environmental testing. This technology enables quick, accurate and reproducible screening of multiple markers simultaneously from minute sample quantities at low cost. Lab-on-a-chip microarray technology constitutes a collection of high-density DNA, protein, or antibody biomolecules (probes) spotted or immobilized on a solid surface. A variety of surfaces have been used as substrates for probe immobilization, but with limitations including low binding capacity, non-uniform signal intensity and high background.
A recent paper introduces the use of a novel 3D micro-nanotextured polymer substrate to coat the surface of glass slides for high performance protein microarrays that eliminates several of the above issues. In model binding assays using CF®555 dye labeled IgG and streptavidin, the authors reported that 3D micro-nanotextured microarrays offered significant improvements over epoxy-coated glass slides in terms of spot intensity, homogeneity, and reproducibility, with better signal to noise ratio values over a wide range of protein concentrations. The coated slides also had a shelf-life over one year without requirement for specific storage conditions.
Learn more about Biotium’s bright and photostable CF® dyes, and CF® dye labeled antibodies and bioconjugates
