A Method for Fabrication of Polycarbonate-Based Bioactive Platforms

Surface-based assays have been used extensively for the functional and structural analysis of biomolecules such as DNA or proteins. These experiments are established by the analysis of binding between acceptor molecules and immobilized receptors on a platform. Site-specific printing of receptor molecules on gold, glass, or polycarbonate (PC) surfaces is conventionally performed by the chemical derivatization of a surface, priming it to covalently bind to subsequently deposited receptor molecules. Unlike conventional methods, we have developed a new fabrication method for bioactive PC surfaces by directly molding PC granules doped with receptor molecules. PC-based receptor molecules were synthesized and commercially available PC granules were doped with these synthesized molecules. In our proof-of-concept study, PC doped with dye 1 (Fig. 1) was used as the receptor molecule. Using an aluminum mold and a hot press machine, PC-based objects were manufactured through compression molding using doped PC granules. Affinity analysis was evaluated by monitoring the localization of a monoclonal antibody elicited against dye 1 to the surface of the molded platforms by fluorescence microscopy. The results illustrated effective binding of an anti-dye 1 monoclonal antibody to the surface, substantiating successful display of assemblies of molecular receptors on the surface through compression molding. Although conventional surface functionalization methods impose limited applications and alter desired opto-mechanical properties of the polymer, our investigation provides a versatile means for the fabrication of bioactive PC-based platforms. It can also be used for engineering and imbedding receptor arrays within three-dimensional objects with applications to the production of opto-medical devices or biosensors.