Resin Carriers for Small-Spot Biomolecule Immobilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing carriers for bio-related molecule immobilization suffer from large spot diameters and poor detection sensitivity due to substrate surface properties, particularly when using polyvalent carboxylic acids or aminoalkylsilanes, which affect the spot shape and spread of bio-related molecule solutions.

Innovation Solution

A carrier is developed with a resin substrate having an amino group-containing compound layer and a polyvalent carboxylic acid layer, where the ratio of COO peak intensity to C-C peak intensity in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is controlled within a specific range, and for the second aspect, a water repellent resin substrate with an aminoalkylsilane and polyvalent carboxylic acid layer is used with controlled aminoalkylsilane exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a substrate using a polyvalent carboxylic acid such as polyacrylic acid is used, then the surface wettability is high, but the spot diameter of a solution containing bio-related molecules becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface wettabilityVSAvoidspot diameter
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the surface treatment layer by using a copolymer containing both carboxylic acid groups (for wettability) and hydrophobic groups (for limiting spread). By adjusting the ratio of hydrophilic to hydrophobic components in the copolymer, the invention optimizes both surface wettability and spot diameter control simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a copolymer composite material that combines carboxylic acid functional groups (providing wettability) with hydrophobic groups (providing spot size control). This composite approach allows the surface to exhibit both high wettability for good molecular immobilization and limited spot spread for high detection sensitivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Measurement precision

If the surface treatment is improved to increase detection sensitivity, then the detection sensitivity (S/N ratio) is improved, but the spot diameter may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidspot diameter
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the chemical parameters of the surface treatment layer by controlling the carboxylic acid content and hydrophobic group content in the copolymer. This parameter optimization ensures high detection sensitivity through adequate carboxylic acid groups while maintaining small spot diameter through hydrophobic group control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a surface with localized functional properties where carboxylic acid groups are distributed to provide detection sensitivity while hydrophobic groups are distributed to control spot spread. The copolymer structure enables these different functional groups to coexist and work in their respective optimal zones on the surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution achieves high detection sensitivity with small spot diameters and improved spot shape by controlling the surface treatment conditions, enhancing the performance of bio-related molecule immobilization carriers.

Implementation Method 1

a substrate which has an amino group-containing compound layer and further has a polyvalent carboxylic acid layer stacked on the amino group-containing compound layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

a ratio (COO peak intensity)/(C-C peak intensity) of a C1s spectrum as measured on a carrier surface after the stacking by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

wherein a carboxyl group of the polyvalent carboxylic acid layer is subjected to active esterification

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3543338B1Carrier for biologically relevant molecule immobilization
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 TOYO SEIKAN GRP HLDG LTD
  • EP3543338B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3543338B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3543338B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a carrier for bio-related molecule immobilization, which comprises a resin substrate, an amino group-containing compound layer that is formed on the resin substrate, and a polyvalent carboxylic acid layer that is formed on the amino group-containing compound layer. The carboxyl groups in the polyvalent carboxylic acid layer are actively esterified; and the (COO peak intensity)/(C-C peak intensity) ratio of the C Is spectrum is from 0.064 to 0.12 (inclusive) if the carrier surface before the active esterification is measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The present invention also relates to a carrier for bio-related molecule immobilization, which comprises a water repellent resin substrate, an aminoalkyl silane layer that is formed on the resin substrate and a polyvalent carboxylic acid layer that is formed on the aminoalkyl silane layer, and which is characterized in that: the carboxyl groups in the polyvalent carboxylic acid layer are actively esterified; and the resin substrate is exposed after the formation of the aminoalkyl silane layer.