Biomolecules having multiple attachment moieties for binding to a substrate surface

Abstract

Methods of binding biomolecules to a substrate are provided that include contacting the biomolecule with a branched linking moiety to form a branched linking structure. The branched linking structure is then contacted with a binding moiety on the substrate to form a coupled substrate binding structure, thereby binding the biomolecule to the substrate. The biomolecule may contain a Lewis base or a nucleophile to react with a Lewis acid or electrophile in the branched linking moiety. Alternatively, the biomolecule may contain a Lewis acid or electrophile that can react with a Lewis base or nucleophile in the branched linking moiety. Additionally, the biomolecule can be bound to the substrate through a covalent or non-covalent bond.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to attachment chemistries for binding biomolecules to a substrate surface. More particularly, this invention relates to attachment chemistries involving branched structures for providing biomolecules having multiplicities of chemical binding moieties for binding the biomolecules to a substrate surface.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The following description provides a summary of information relevant to the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art to the presently claimed invention, nor that any of the publications specifically or implicitly referenced are prior art to the invention.[0003]The immobilization of oligonucleotides on substrates is an important and necessary step for many applications such as DNA chip technology, surface plasmon resonance experiments, or other biosensor applications. Classically, oligonucleotides are immobilized onto substrates by modification of...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The use of oligonucleotides with multiple reactive sites or complexing agents within one oligonucleotide offers significant advantages to this immobilization process. First, it increases the speed of the immobilization process. One reason for this effect is that chance for an initial contact between the attachment partners by diffusion is higher when one oligonucleotide bears multiple reactive sites. Additionally, the oligonucleotide can be immobilized via secondary and multiple covalent or noncovalent linkages which are formed after (or simultaneous with) the primary linkage. The formation of these secondary linkages is then an intramolecular process that is kinetically favored to the intermolecular primary linkage formation. This is another reason for the higher immobilization rate.

[0010]Second, the overall stability of the attachment increases as multiple linkages are formed between the oligonucleotide and the substrate which is independent of the approach used to bring the biomolecule into contact with the substrate.

[0011]The formation of multiple noncovalent complexes results in a higher overall stability of the complex between the oligonucleotide and the substrate allowing the use of low affinity complex builders for a stabile immobilization. Some of the frequently applied immobilization chemistries for oligonucleotides are reversible (e.g. the Schiffs base formation between amines and aldehydes) and require a subsequent stabilization step e.g. by reduction with NaCNBH3. For these reversible reactions the immobilization via multiple linkages is beneficial since it leads in sum to a higher stability of the intermediates formed prior to the stabilization reaction. In some cases the gain in stability is great enough that the stabilization reaction becomes unnecessary.

[0012]Third, the use of oligonucleotides with multiple attachment sites allows the production of substrates with higher oligonucleotide loading. Usually the reactive sites on the substrate are in large excess to the oligonucleotides and the improved attachment due to multiple attachment moieties can lead to better use of the available sites on the substrate.

[0013]In another embodiment, the multiplicity of reactive binding moieties provided on the biomolecules may allow the biomolecules to bind, either in a covalent or a noncovalent manner, to the substrate surface. With respect to noncovalent binding, the multiplicity of binding moieties may comprise chemical moieties such as biotin, streptavidin, phenyl boronic acid (PBA), and salicyl hydroxamic acid (SHA). With respect to covalent binding, the multiplicity of binding moieties may comprise the use of reactive hydrazide structures. Such structures may be either branched or unbranched thereby allowing for great versatility in the level of possible binding moieties available. Thus, not only are the biomolecules provided with dendritic branching structures, but the reactive binding moieties themselves may also be branched such that each branch has a reactive hydrazide element for use in binding the biomolecule to a substrate surface.

[0014]In another embodiment, the multiplicity of binding moieties on the biomolecule provides a means whereby biomolecules attached to a substrate surface comprising an electronically addressable microchip are protected from inadvertent removal from the attachment site on the microchip caused by high voltage and current resulting from electronic biasing of the microchip electrode. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the multiple attachment scheme of the current invention provides for binding of biomolecules to the substrate capable of withstanding current densities of at least 4 mA / cm2.

Problems solved by technology

First, it increases the speed of the immobilization process.

In some cases the gain in stability is great enough that the stabilization reaction becomes unnecessary.

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