Evaluation of the Spectral Response of Functionalized Silk Inverse Opals as Colorimetric Immunosensors.

ABSTRACT: Regenerated silk fibroin is a high molecular weight protein obtained by purifying the cocoons of the domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori. This report exploits the aqueous processing and tunable β sheet secondary structure of regenerated silk to produce nanostructures (i.e., inverse opals) that can be used as colorimetric immunosensors. Such sensors would enable direct detection of antigens by changes in reflectance spectra induced by binding events within the nanostructure. Silk inverse opals were prepared by solution casting and annealing in a humidified atmosphere to render the silk insoluble. Next, antigen sensing capabilities were imparted to silk through a three step synthesis: coupling of avidin to silk surfaces, coupling of biotin to antibodies, and lastly antibody attachment to silk

SUBMITTER: Burke KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5765754 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature