New platforms for 3-D microarrays: Synthesis of hydrophilic polymethacrylate monoliths using macromolecular porogens

Hydrophilic macroporous monolithic material based on poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-glycerol dimethacrylate) was synthesized by photo-initiated free-radical polymerization. Different pore-forming agents, including low molecular mass cyclohexanol and dodecanol, as well as the solutions of hydrophobic polymers, namely, polystyrene in toluene and poly(dimethyl siloxane) in hexane, were used to obtain the macroporous polymer platforms intended for new type of 3-D microarrays (biochips). The porous characteristics of functional copolymers obtained were investigated by mercury intrusion porosimetry and scanning electron microscopy. Some of developed materials were tested for protein microarray construction. Demonstration of potential of suggested materials, as well as optimization of protein covalent immobilization conditions, were realized using model mouse IgG – goat anti-mouse IgG affinity pair.